Curated OER
Design a Reef!
Students design a functional model of a coral reef ecosystem. In this coral reef instructional activity, students identify the energy sources and material cycles of a coral reef. They write an essay about their niche in their own ecosystem.
Curated OER
Breaking Barriers
High schoolers examine the context of a speech delivered by Barack Obama. In this African-American history lesson, students discuss the 15th Amendment and the American Civil Rights Movement prior to analyzing Barack Obama's speech "A...
Professional Development Institute
Which Is More Important?
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...
Curated OER
Champions Of The Land
Students write an abstract of a book concerning conservation. In this environmental activism lesson, students explore books such as Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. Students choose a book about conservation from a suggested book...
Curated OER
I am the Walrus
Students research walruses using the library and the Internet, then write an essay from what they find in their research. In this investigative lesson students view a video on walruses then write an essay after researching.
Curated OER
When I Was Your Age...
Students discuss generational differences in life experiences, consider their future life paths based on their past and present, and write essays from perspectives of themselves 50 years from now.
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Birthday Buddy
Students explore an Internet web site and/or the Groliers Encyclopedia to investigate a famous person who shares their birthday. They write a five paragraph comparison and contrast essay on their findings and utilize ClarisWorks to publish.
Curated OER
Southeast Asia Today
Students describe daily life in a small Vietnamese city by exploring a photographic essay, then apply what they have learned to write a descriptive essay about the daily life of a Chaudoc resident.
Curated OER
Explaining a Legend
Students explain the place of the legend of Herakles in ancient Greek life and compare ancient and modern legends in an essay.
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Autograph Story
Learners write narrative essays about getting a famous person's autograph (a classmate) and then combine their work with pictures to enhance the stories. This technique can be used with any writing project.
Curated OER
If I Could Have Been Somebody Else
Students research a specific person from American history who played a significant role and had an impact on future events and situations. They write a multi paragraph essay which includes three reasons explaining why they would have...
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Children's Media and Censorship
Students examine the point of censorship when dealing with Students. They explore essays by Stephen King.
Curated OER
Unit on Henry David Thoreau
High schoolers investigate the writings of Thoreau in order to better comprehend his impact on American Literature and unique writing style. Working to evaluate the different pieces of writing, they read the essays in order to create...
Curated OER
Overcome Writer's Block
Learners review methods for overcoming writer's block. They are asked if they have ever experienced writer's block, what the experience feels like, and discuss some strategies that they use to deal with writer's block. They are given a...
Curated OER
Darwin's Theory
Pupils write an essay about evolution. They summarize Darwin's Theory and discuss its strength and weakness of evolutionary theory. Students discuss the struggle of existence and survival of the fittest. They discuss the evidence of...
Curated OER
Oliver/Kenyon
Students, through two pieces of writing, identify poetic/language devices through the speakers, personification , imagery, metaphor, etc. They assess the patterns those devices are used in and analyze the theme of each. Each student...
Curated OER
And the Nominee Is...
Students research commemorative coin honorees and share the reasons for the recognition with the class. Then the teams select individuals they believe deserve to be on a coin, write short essays explaining their selection, and illustrate...
Curated OER
Alaska's Cultures: Regions & Native Peoples of Alaska
Students read the essay "Did American Aborigines have Culture?". They discuss culture and what is meant by culture.
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GENRE STUDY: BIOGRAPHY
Fifth graders write a poem that relates to your person. They make a poster advertising your book/person. Students find a website that relates to your book/person, print out the information and be prepared to share it with class.
Curated OER
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
Students investigate the global importance of the African and Asian countries that export petroleum. They access the OPEC website and research this organization. They answer questions and write an essay about alternative energy sources.
Curated OER
Understanding Cultural Differences
Students listen to an interview and then write an essay about the life of people in the country as perceived by the person they interviewed.
Curated OER
Depression
Students work together to develop a survey to ask people who lived during the Great Depression. Using the information from the survey, they write an essay or a poem describing why it was bad for one of their family members to lose their...
Curated OER
Genetic Engineering
Students will apply their knowledge acquired from two guest speakers to writing a three hundred-word essay on either the pros or cons of genetic engineering. They will try to persuade the reader of their essays to agree with their stance...
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The Monster Exchange
Fourth graders will have an opportunity to communicate with students from another class in the United States. Through the chat rooms and e-mail, they will get to know one another and discuss writing along with other topics.