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Writing Mythological Narratives
Students compose a creative writing piece based on a painting of a mythological scene. In this creative writing lesson, students write about the scene in the painting and tie in their original stories into tales from the life...
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Let's Learn about Symmetry
Young scholars explore symmetry in architecture. In this cross curriculum art and architecture lesson, students fold paper to illustrate symmetry and identify symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes. Young scholars observe...
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Simple Machines
Learners investigate simple machines. In this simple machines lesson, students construct two simple machines and describe what they do. Learners show that simple changes help machines do work with less effort. Students use a paper clip...
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Shape Shifters- Trees and the Environment
Young scholars make a tree sculpture. In this trees and the environment lesson, students learn about the parts of a tree, discuss what a tree needs in order to grow, find images of trees in art and nature, use various materials to create...
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Learning through The Duke
Students examine the important contributions made by Duke Ellington to the field of jazz, as well as some of the factors that led to his involvement in the field. As they explore the language of the 1920's, connections will be drawn...
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Symmetry, Similar & Congruent Shapes
Fifth graders identify lines of symmetry., similar and congruent shapes. They use construction paper to create their own symmetrical shapes. Students create stained glass frames containing symmetrical, congruent and similar shapes.
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The Writing Process
In this writing as a process instructional activity, students explore how writing is a process instead of a finished piece of work. Students also test out how to mind map a story.
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Alternative Snowflakes
Students discover how snowflakes in nature are really formed, and recreate this process with paper and glue.
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Ticker Text Parade
Students examine news headlines and create very brief news pieces in the style of news tickers. They write papers reflecting upon these experiences and on the value of concisely written news reports.
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Up in Smoke
Learners consider their beliefs about anti-smoking laws before and after examining total smoking bans in various countries and the rationales behind them. They write position papers supporting or opposing the institution of a total...
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Do You Haiku? We Do!
Third graders try their hands at writing Haiku, a form of Japanese poetry. Haiku is usually 17 syllables in three-line form. This engaging lesson has many excellent worksheets and website imbedded in the plan. They share their finished...
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Super Bucks
Students examine paper currency for its artistic value. They design their own piece of currency based on the artistic methods used in the design of real money.
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Erosion by the Wind
Fifth graders simulate wind driven soil erosion by using paper confetti to demonstrate the movement of the soil. They write about three examples of soil erosion found in their community.
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Food Chain
Students discuss what makes plants grow and who eats the plants. They are asked where do we get all of our energy? Students are asked to draw and label a picture of the sun in the center of the yellow strip of paper. They are explained...
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How Powerful is Static Electricity?
Students break up into groups to complete a demonstration rubbing a balloon in hair make their hair stand up. Thus, they conclude static electricity. They also experiment with a paper station, ping pong station and a water station...
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Make a Pinhole Viewer
In this light learning exercise, students construct a pinhole viewer using a paper box, wax paper, tape and a pushpin. They answer six questions about their observations, the orientation of the images they saw, and the results of their...
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Getting Down to Basics (and Acidics)
Seventh graders investigate acids and bases. In this acids and bases lesson, 7th graders use household items such as coffee, lemons and soap to define acids and bases. They observe a demonstration to show how indicators determine if a...
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Chromatography Lab
Students discover the components of primary and secondary colors. In this physical science instructional activity, students create a set up in which water will separate a color into the component colors along a piece of filter...
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No more Boring Book Reports
Students create a paper bag book report. In this book report lesson, students choose 5-7 items representing the story. Students fill and decorate their bags and present them to the class. Students describe the...
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Blast Off with Model Rockets
Students investigate science and math by building a rocket. In this geometry lesson, students build a rocket using paper towel tubes while investigating questions about launching a rocket. They discuss balance and unique structure as...
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Create a Word Graveyard to Teach Synonyms
Young scholars explore descriptive writing by creating headstones. In this memorial lesson, students utilize an 11" x 17" piece of paper to create a cemetery headstone memorializing a word rather than a person. Young scholars decorate...
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Make Your Own Newspaper Plant Pots
Young scholars make plant pots out of newspaper as part of a recycle, reuse, and reduce lesson. In this recycling lesson, students fold a piece of newspaper to make a pot in which to start plants. They fill it with compost and plant seeds.
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Our Community
Learners explore their community. In this communities lesson, students write an interesting fact about the community on lined paper and add illustrations to their writing. Learners construct a class book by combining each page of...
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The Fabric of America
Students examine the theme of independence in American history by participating in a class-wide paper quilt project. Each student creates three quilt squares representing the past, present and future of independence in the United States.