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Middle School Writing: Semester Goals
Seventh graders practice their writing skills by identifying their goals for the semester. They write an essay of four paragraphs and then combine all the information into one. As a class, they create a contract for each of them to use...
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Research Project
Students learn the characteristics of arachnids by researching the arachnid of their choice and producing a 4 to 5 paragraph research paper.
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Treating Substance Abuse Problems
Students conduct an open discussion on the legal, social, and health consequences associated with substance abuse. Working in pairs, students discuss the effects of substance abuse and brainstorm possible solutions. Independently,...
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Summarize Successfully
Students summarize nonfiction text. After reviewing the process for reading in order to summarize, students independently read a nonfiction article. They write a summary paragraph using the graphic organizer outlined by the instructor...
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Using Onomatopoeia to Tell the Story of an Imaginary Field Trip
Young scholars explore language arts by utilizing word choice to compose a paragraph. In this phonetics instructional activity, students discuss the importance of a "voice" in their writing as they read the book Rattletrap Car. Young...
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Research Paper: Writing the First Draft
Young scholars use their completed outlines, notecards, and opening paragraphs to create a first draft of their research paper. In this research writing lesson, students focus on the body of their paper as they compile their...
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Create Your Island Paradise
Sixth graders create a descriptive essay and map describing their island paradise. They try to evoke the reader's senses: seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting. They revise their paragraphs using their partner's feedback.
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ESOL Telephone Communications
Students answer incoming telephone calls, take simple messages, and respond to voice mail prompts. They write a paragraph using correct spacing and legible cursive handwriting. They practice the sounds of past tense endings.
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Romanticism
Students engage in a study of Romanticism in an attempt to build a context for how it was used. They write a 5 paragraph essay using literary devices they are familiar with. They should go back and edit their work before accepting it as...
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Research/Technical Writing: Paraphrasing
Young scholars work in groups to paraphrase an article. For this paraphrasing lesson, each group is assigned a paragraph to paraphrase in one sentence. Other groups critique the sentences to make sure each is...
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WRITING AN ARTICLE FOR A CHILDREN'S MAGAZINE
Students engage in the writing of a magazine article. They focus upon the reading of a children's fiction book and create an informative narrative. They create main ideas and supporting details for the article. The supporting of main...
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Star Quest
Seventh graders follow a "star map" of websites to locate information about legendary stars of bluegrass. They use the information to answer worksheet questions and write paragraphs as directed. They demonstrate their knowledge by...
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Don't Forget to Say Thanks
Students practice descriptive writing in a thank-you note format. In this descriptive writing lesson, students read the example letter and analyze the corrections in the letter. Students read the example thank you notes and focus on the...
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Millennium Santa!
Third graders decide what would make Santa look modern and in style. They write a descriptive paragraph that another student then reads. They try to draw the image conveyed in the writing. They read the paragraphs and match them with the...
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A Sensory Walk
Students define and give examples of five senses, compiling a list of sensory words to be used in a written descriptive paragraph.
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Research Report
High schoolers review research skills and discuss types of information, e.g. fact/opinion, examples/evidence then research and gather information to answer a given set of research questions. They write a multi paragraph report using the...
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Note Taking
Second graders work in groups to gather information from a factual paragraph on the topic of ants. They demonstrate taking notes by selecting 3 or 4 important key words in each sentence and write it on a note card to compile summary...
Orange County Department of Education
Dancing Rainbows: A Pueblo Boy's Story
Third graders identify the main ideas illustrated in the story "Dancing Rainbows." They identify details from the story that show respect toward self and others. Students write a paragraph to illustrate how the Tewa Indians show respect....
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A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words
Students examine historical photographs and discuss what the photograph reveals and how they can contribute to writing. In this response to literature students choose a photograph and develop a paragraph around it.
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Picture This
Students create a descriptive paragraph about their past or their heritage and provide a picture to go along with it. In this past and heritage lesson plan, students share their paragraph with the class.
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My Favorite Place
Students identify important buildings in their community. They discuss the variety of places and services available in their local community. Indivually, students write a paragraph describing their favorite place(s) in the community....
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Personal Hygiene Regimen
High schoolers identify and describe the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene. Individual students write a paragraph describing their personal hygiene regimen. Products used for personal hygiene are identified. This lesson...
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Equal Opportunity Employment
Students list and discuss the types of discrimination they are protected from under the EEOC. The class brainstorms ideas for protecting themselsevles against employment discrimination. Students write a summary paragraph discussing the...
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Heroes
Tenth graders participate in research and class discussion before attempting to write a traditional five paragraph essay. They use the examples of 16 other hero stories to consider. Students use examples and descriptive details to...