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And Your Point Is . . .? Part I
Students, in groups, complete a WebQuest titled "Love Canal Debate". They follow the WebQuest to research and write papers on different points of view regarding the Love Canal environmental disaster.
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Novel Tee
Third graders illustrate a fiction novel by painting a depiction of the book on a tee shirt and then sharing it with the class.
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Is All The Hype For The Birds?
Students discuss the threats and risks involved with the bird flu and whether or not the hype associated with it is justified. They read at least three more articles about the bird flu on their own.
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History: Impact of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Young scholars formulate theories about the Lewis and Clark Expedition about its purpose and impact on America. They write position papers supported with facts discovered in their research. Students include quotes, factual references,...
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I Oppose!--Counter-argument/Classifying
Young scholars create an effective classification and counter argument. In this counter-argument instructional activity, students decide upon a label for at least three types of people and then describe their groups. Young...
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Constitution Week
Pupils prepare one-minute broadcasts about events leading to the writing of the Constitution and current issues in the next election. Students read their broadcasts on the school P.A. system each morning during Constitution Week.
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In Defense of Elitism
Students identify the key components of an argument essay. They differentiate between claims based on facts, opinions, beliefs,and prejudice. Students develop skills of critical thinking in this lesson.
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Video-Conferencing
Students write a paper on the impact of video-conferencing in an area of their choice. The paper should discuss pros and cons to this technology and include a clear description of what video-conferencing is.
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Genetic Engineering
Students will apply their knowledge acquired from two guest speakers to writing a three hundred-word essay on either the pros or cons of genetic engineering. They will try to persuade the reader of their essays to agree with their stance...
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Innocents Lost
Young scholars use discussion and writing to express their views about the causes, circumstances and impact of the shooting of a six year old girl by a classmate.
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Voluntary Movement or Not? African-American Movement to the West
Students form an opinion on how voluntary African-American moves really were and then write a persuasive composition supporting their opinion. They access a multi-media narrative imbedded in this plan.
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Analyzing Persuasion
A reading of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech launches a study of rhetorical devices such as hyperbole, allusion, metaphor, simile, personification, connotative language and parallel structure. Class members then...
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Four Year Plan Essay
Students complete a personal vision, a four year plan essay, meant to stimulate their thinking process. They set a foundation for what they hope to strive for in the next four years to come.
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Your Next Class Trip
Students write a persuasive argument to their principal to take their class trip to a destination of their choice. They must transfer the written argument into a website. They also focus on what it takes to plan a trip.
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Stewardship Letter
Students write a persuasive letter. For this stewardship lesson, students discover the basic format for a formal letter and some effective persuasive techniques. Students write a letter to bring about change in the way...
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Persuade Me
Seventh graders give persuasive presentations based on the questions they have researched. They examine appropriate delivery techniques for effective persuasive presentations. (Note: This lesson should be taught, after students have...
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Choosing a Family Dog
Fourth graders research types of dogs and recommend one that would make the best family pet. They work in cooperative groups of three using Kidspiration to map out the essential question before beginning their research, write reports,...
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Preparing to Speak
Students articulate what elements must be present in a successful, persuasive speech by composing a "presentation plan." They explain what they know about speech delivery in preparation for the presentation of their final projects.
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What's The Big Deal?
Fifth graders examine the role of the Gutenberg press and its effect on society. Using this information, they write a persuasive paper discussing which form of copying is easier to mass produce. They share their opinions with the class...
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Research Activity for the Legal Brief
Learners use extensive information about previous cases with related themes and depositions on the Street Law web site to gather information that will be used to write an effective appeals brief for whichever party in the case their...
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50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education
Students examine the Brown v. Board of Education case that ended segregation. They role play to re-enact the case and discuss why it was important. They discover its impact on public education.
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The Pros and Cons of Dams
Students investigate the use of dams on rivers in order to manage water uses in particular the Flathead River and Lake. They make presentations about dam management and write a persuasive paper on the issue. If possible they visit the...
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Fatah Vs. Hamas: Continued Strife In The Gaza Region
Pupils investigate the conflict between Hamas and Fatah while focusing on the Gaza region in the Middle East. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The participate in a discussion using the information found. Then students...
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The Reformation, Golden Age and English Revolution
Fifth graders create outlines and take notes on lectures that present the Reformation, England's Golden Age and the English Revolution. They use these outlines to create filmstrips and write an essay arguing which of these periods was...