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Autobiography
Eighth graders identify key components of an autobiography. They plan and draft an outline of a summer school mini-autobiography and employ peer evaluation in revision step of writing process. They explain difference between revision...
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Mixing Up the Melting Pot
Students examine the cultures of indigenous peoples and how they have or have not assimilated into modern society. They create reports with recommendations on how the Nukak of Columbia could be assimilated into society.
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I Am What i Am
Students reflect, through autobiographical writing, on events in their lives that they feel most shaped their personal identities.
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How to Score in the Word Series
Students examine an object in the classroom and write a description of it employing exciting language. They brainstorm and outline ideas for an original article about an event they participated in or attended.
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Under the Weather
Students identify measurable characteristics about the weather and explore how they are monitored. They research and propose the construction of a weather monitoring station on their school grounds.
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"Retale" Value: Exploring Plot Similarities in Fiction and Nonfiction Stories
Students explore seven basic story lines and apply these story lines to news articles in the New York Times. They write reports comparing the plot of a news article to novels, plays and movies with which they are familiar.
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Help Is on the Way
Pupils explore disaster aid and ways in which it is provided. They work in small groups to explore relief efforts aimed at South Asian countries affected by the recent undersea earthquake and tsunamis.
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Express Yourself
Students share opinions about the way students behave. They write letters to the editor responding to an article.
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Where In the World Are You?
Fourth graders fill in blank copies of the United States Map and then the World Map.
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Courting Controversy?
Students consider their own personal opinions on divisive issues. They examine the confirmation of Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. and investigate issues from different ideological and philosophical perspectives.
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It's Gas, Gas, Gas
Students examine America's dependence on oil. They read an article, research how gas prices are established, and create and conduct a survey regarding people's knowledge of gas and gas prices.
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Left to Their Own (Literary) Devices
Students write scenes for stories using their own original characters. However, they write using the literary and plot devices found in the Lemony Snicket book series.
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Workin' (More Than) 9 to 5
Students explore the roles of men and women in the work force. They explore how each one should balance family life. They develop questions that are about men and women and how they perceive their roles at work, home and in leisure...
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Life 2.0
Students share opinions about the interactivity of Web sites they frequent. They compare and contrast Web 1.0 and Web 2.0 applications. Students work in groups to investigate both Web 1.0 and 2.0 companies and comment on them using a...
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Building on the Past
Students consider how the scientific advances of the past have contributed to the science topics reported on today in the Science Times section. After reading a current science article, they compare and contrast the way science was...
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In the Eye of the Beholder
Students view, examine and analyze the artwork of Howard Finster along with other various visionary artists. They create and design an original piece of artwork and personalize creative spaces in the spirit of Finster's Paradise Gardens.
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Staying Safe on the Job
Students share their opinions about the rights and responsibilities of employees, businesses and the government in maintaining a safe work environment. They prepare arguments supporting their assigned positions concerning workplace...
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Going Medieval
Learners engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of medieval ages. They conduct research using a variety of resources and use the information to perform in some roleplay activities. Students also create research papers...
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The Aesthetics of Activism
Students explore ways in which artistic expression has been used to promote awareness of AIDS. They create their own designs to promote awareness of a social, political, or economic issue of importance to their age group and community.
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The Truth Shall Set Them Free?
Students consider the notion and purpose of truth commissions, They work in groups to predict the commission's effectiveness in its efforts to promote peace and reconciliation among Liberians. Finally, students create found poems that...
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Another Trip to the Nurse's Office
Students consider the role of the nurse at their school. Using Internet resources and archived articles, they gather information regarding relevant health topics. Students use their information to create pamphlets on health topics...
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Philanthropy Profiler
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this Charles Loring Brace instructional activity, students research the man and his contributions so that they can determine whether he served his community as a philanthropist.
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Musical Makeover
Students explore the importance of folk music is various ethnic cultures.
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Oedipus Wrecks
Students explore the concept of the 'tragic hero' and how such characters are relevant in theatre, literature, and history.