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Dinosaurs are for the Birds
Students use the Internet to see photographs of fossils from dinosaurs. They read articles about dinosaurs and birds and what they had in common. They also examine a dinorama site in which they discover why some dinosaurs needed feathers.
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Electricity Shortage
Students use the Internet to discover what electricity is and how it is made. They examine a site that discusses electricity and magnetism. They discover the ways electricity can be generated.
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Signature History
Learners review the meaning and application of primary and secondary sources in research. They determine how researchers locate primary source documents before looking at signatures as a validating factor on many primary sources....
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I Watch Babies Grow
Students explore the changes of life in different generations. In this change of life lesson, students help out families with new babies and learn about their needs. Students participate in interviews, creating timelines and writing...
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A System of Rules
Learners write letters, create models, create a photo display, and make charts about the rules that a state has. In this rules lesson plan, students learn about and make different displays of how states come up with rules, change them,...
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Oil Floats, Right?
Students examine the properties in oil in water. In this mixture lesson, students read about the Lophelia II 2010: Cold Seeps and Deep Reef Expedition and look at images of deep sea ecosystems. They experiment or participate in...
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Teaching the Novel in Context
Students write a context paper. In this teaching the novel in context lesson, students view a primary sources to recreate the cultural and historical context of the novel. Students make the connection between the literary...
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Weather Observations
Students record the weather using an outdoor thermometer. In this weather activity, students compare their recordings to that on the weather map online. Students explain the differences of each weather reading. Students continues taking...
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Take Another Look
Seventh graders analyze different types of graphs and answer questions related to each. For this math lesson, 7th graders organize a given diagram to make it easier to interpret. They discuss why they made such changes.
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International Custody Battle
Students research the relationship between the United States and Cuba by identifying key players and events in Cuban/U.S. history. They also focus on a battle waged between Cuban-Americans in Miami and a father in Cuba over the custody...
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So How were the Noughties for You?
Students survey the first decade in 2000. In this instructional activity, students read an article that highlights the beginning of the 2000 time era, then complete numerous activities that reinforce the reading, such as a vocabulary...
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Maps with a "Spin"
Students, in groups, research and map the effects of a proposed airport three miles outside of town. They prepare a presentation based on a set of maps they make and explains its different points of view from the viewpoints of the town...
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SPEAK NO EVIL
Students explore different means of communication by looking at magazines, newspapers, formal and informal language.
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The Price is Right - Advertisements
Fourth graders design written advertisements using cut out items from catalogs or newspapers in order to persuade consumers.
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It's in the Paper! (Newspaper In Education Unit)
Fourth graders brainstorm a list of the kinds of information found in newspapers, present examples, and state how reading a newspaper is useful to them and people they know.
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Reality Check
Fourth graders practice living on a budget. They must plan for rent, utilities, and food and determine if they can afford the luxuries of a phone, car, gas, movies, clothes, etc., using a newspaper to gather their information.
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Buffalo Hide
Students study about the Native American practice of writing stories on buffalo skins. They study about pictographs and use symbols to write their own stories using "buffalo hides" they have created.
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The Ballad of the Sad Café
Students view the film "The Ballad of the Sad Cafe" and analyze it for stereotypes of mountain and hillbilly communities. They identify and discuss Appalachian values represented in the film and write a report on their observations.
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Refugees
Students investigate the affect of refugees have one their host country. They examine where refugees go and decide on things that might be affected by their influx such as medical care, moral issues, economic issues, and language barriers.
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MAKE A PINATA
Students create a sculpture with a theme using a balloon and flour and water paste.
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Under the Weather
Learners review mean, median, mode, and range while using the newspaper to answer weather questions.
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Picture Me with Words
Learners search in newspapers for words that describe them or what they like. They gather the words and use them to create a self-portrait. They read "boring" sentences and rewrite them using more descriptive words. They write 10 word...
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Science Experiments
Students do a series of three experiments. In the first experiment, the students work with a partner to protect an egg from a 12 foot drop. In the second experiment, the students investigate static electricity using balloons and yarn. ...
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Inquiring About the Titanic
Students observe pictures of the Titanic sailing and at the bottom of the ocean. They hypothesize the cause of the Titanic tragedy and engage in deeper questioning while one student writes responses on the board. They then work in groups...