Lesson Plan
Deliberating in a Democracy

Euthanasia

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students analyze euthanasia as a possible way to die.  In this controversial instructional activity, students reflect and discuss euthanasia as a possible way to enter death.  Classroom discussion allows students to voice their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Speak Write! Understanding the Hidden Meaning of Words

For Teachers 8th - 10th Standards
"Can the connotation of a word or phrase create bias or prejudice?" The activities in this SMART Board lesson are directed toward this question, which will be sure to incite lots of opinions and ideas. The SMART Board file guides them...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oxford Compiles Top 10 Irritating Phrases

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Explore well-known expressions that are frequently used. Middle schoolers read an article with the author's opinion of the most annoying phrases. Afterward, they complete numerous activities that check their reading comprehension. Some...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Matter of Accountability

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Pupils conduct a mock trial focusing on environmental accountability of industrialized nations. As an example, they evaluate evidence provided on carbon dioxide emissions. They participate in a mock trial of industrialized nations by the...
PPT
Curated OER

Newspapers

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Here is an engaging and thought-provoking presentation on newspapers. Learners identify different types of text, study layouts, look at common features, and differentiate between fact and opinion in newspapers. Photos are included, and a...
PPT
Curated OER

Van Gough and Picasso

For Teachers 9th - 12th
An interesting presentation that shows the work of four masters. Learners view paintings of Van Gough, Picasso, Matisse, and Renoir and then express their opinions about the pieces of art. The final slide asks learners to choose their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding the Debt Ceiling Debate and the Budget Control Act of 2011

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Upper graders listen to a podcast on the EconTalk website featuring economist Keith Hennessey. The podcast focuses on the Budget Control Act of 2011, the national debt, and government spending. They read specifics about the BCA, then...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Earthquake Strikes Virginia

For Students 7th - 10th
In August of 2011 an earthquake shook the nation's capitol, and became a newsworthy event; learners read this New York Times article to find out why. They read the piece then answer nine related comprehension questions. Two additional...
PPT
Curated OER

Propaganda

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Introduce your class members to propaganda techniques writers and advertisers use to influence their opinions. Each appeal is defined and illustrated with examples from current ads and political campaigns. Additional examples are...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Measure for Measure: Anticipation Guide

For Students 10th - 12th Standards
Be bold and never fearful! Tempt your scholars with an Anticipation Guide for Measure for Measure. Before reading Shakespeare’s problem play, class members label a series of statements as either true or false in their opinion. (It’s okay...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Anticipation Guide for Much Ado About Nothing

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Is falling in love easy or hard? Challenge your class to consider seven statements about love and relationships before reading Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Then, as you work your way through the play, revisit the sheet to record...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paradise Lost: Problem Situation

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Let your class voice their opinions with a group debate activity. Before reading John Milton's Paradise Lost, they work in small groups in assigned roles to form a position about authority and rebellion, comparing a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: Problematic Situation

For Students 6th - 8th Standards
Accompany The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis with this activity learning exercise. Spark a discussion about the story's characters' decision making skills while making inferences and allow learners to connect personally...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Old Man and the Sea: Anticipation Guide

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Begin your unit on Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and The Sea with an anticipation guide. As kids read 12 statements that relate to the novel's themes, they decide whether each is true or false in their own opinion.
PPT
Curated OER

Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Did you know that Currer Bell and Ellis Bell were the pseudonyms for Charlotte and Emily Bronte? Did you know that during the 1800s women’s emotional opinions were not seen as something meant for publication? Introduce Jane Eyre...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Understanding Themes in Esperanza Rising

For Teachers 5th Standards
Determining a theme or central idea is greatly emphasized in the Common Core standards. Target that skill though big metaphors and central symbols in Pam Muñoz Ryan's Esperanza Rising. Help your class reach the standard through...
Lesson Plan
Friends of Fort McHenry

Political Cartoons from the War of 1812

For Teachers 8th Standards
Long before the advent of Facebook and television, political cartoons were a primary mechanism for influencing public opinion. Support your learners through a thorough analysis process and explore how these cartoons had a profound effect...
PPT
Weber State University

Quoting, Paraphrasing, & Summarizing

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Tattoos and piercings. Here’s a PowerPoint that uses an article on the tattoo and piercing craze to engage viewers in a presentation about citing sources. The 14 slides focus on how to add credibility to writing by including and citing...
Writing
Professional Development Institute

Which Is More Important?

For Students 4th - 7th Standards
Think about the roles of hunters and squaws in Elizabeth George Speare's The Sign of the Beaver. Whose work is more important? Young writers compare Attean and Matt's reaction to each gender's role, as well as arguing their opinion...
Lesson Plan
Novelinks

Running Out of Time: Anticipation Guide

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Get your class ready to read with this anticipatory set for Running Out of Time. Small groups each consider one thought-provoking statement. After each group comes to a consensus, the whole class participates in sharing ideas and voting...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Grade 10 ELA Module 1: Unit 3, Lesson 5

For Teachers 10th Standards
Even the most rigid expectations come from a place of deeply held values. In a key chapter of Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club, explore the ways that Jing-Mei's mother's parental expectations affect her relationship with Jing-Mei. Tenth...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Grade 9 ELA Module 2, Unit 2, Lesson 9

For Teachers 9th Standards
How can a prophecy be true if the future differs from what was foreseen? Sophocles entertains this question in Oedipus the King. Teiresias, Creon, and Oedipus have weighed in on the unsolved murder of Laius, and now Jocasta voices her...
Activity
Novelinks

Tuck Everlasting: Herber Readiness

For Teachers 4th - 7th Standards
Begin your unit on Natalie Babbitt's Tuck Everlasting with a pre-reading activity about the novel's themes. As class members ponder five questions that reflect the book's themes, they talk about their opinions in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Gospel of Wealth by Andrew Carnegie: A Close Reading

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
Andrew Carnegie's "The Gospel of Wealth" provides high schoolers an opportunity to engage more complex text. After a close reading of the essay and an analysis of Carnegie's argument that the rich are superior because they earn money,...

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