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Beat the Heat
First graders are introduced to the concept of vowel digraphs. They identify the digraph /ea/ in written and spoken language. After a brief discussion, 1st graders apply the rule for identifying and spelling words containing the /ea/...
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Crackin' the Musical Code
Students decode musical notation and then synthesize and apply by notating their own musical composition. Students draw various rhythmic examples which are equal in time duration. They notate and count rhythmic patterns. Additional cross...
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Cosmic Poetry: Words and Ideas Bring the Cosmos to Life
Sixth graders study the cosmos and their thoughts and feelings about the universe. In this cosmic poetry lesson students create a venue where they can "safely" ask questions and discuss ideas.
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Patterns in Poetry: Part 2 -- Sound
Students understand a variety of poems listening for sound letter correspondence, rhyme scheme, assonance, and alliteration. In this language arts instructional activity, students practice listening and reading skills to complete...
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Roar-Shack Poetry
Young scholars use tempera paints to create blots. They use the blots as inspiration for poetry writing by brainstorming and organizing all words they associate with the blot. They present their poetry along with their inspiration.
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Dewey Decimal Rap
Students analyze four books and find the appropriate number in the Dewey Decimal System. In this Dewey Decimal System instructional activity, students compare their analysis with the reason they are placed in the library. Students create...
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Mending Walls: Barriers in Communications
Students explore a literal and figurative wall. In this communication activity, students examine and discuss barriers in communication as they analyze Pink Floyd's "The Wall" and Robert Frost's "Mending Wall".
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Fire Safety Songs (And Poems Too)
Students discuss fire safety tips. They practice singing songs and discuss what to do in the event of a fire. They take a quiz to end the lesson.
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Duke Ellington and His Orchestra, Dance of the Floreadores, Waltz of the Flowers in the Meter of Duke
Students contrast the meter and style of two different versions of the musical piece, "Waltz of the Flowers." Duke Ellington's meter in the "Dance of the Floreadores" is compared to Tchaikovsky's version in the "Nutcracker."
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Harlem Renaissance: Pivotal Period in the Development of Afro-American Culture
Students examine the time period of the Harlem Renaissance. In groups, they compare and contrast the type of art before and after the movement along with the state of society at the time. After reading a book on the topic of their...
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Rhyme In Time
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of rhyming and recognize them in different pieces of literature that includes songs, speech, and poetry. They also listen to music to make an auditory connection to the concept.
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Looking at the Man in the Mirror
Students reflect on their behavior by listening to an audio tape of Michael Jackson's song, "The Man in the Mirror."
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The Shapes of Art: A Lesson in Aesthetic Awareness
Learners become immersed in analyzing the influences on and development of an artistic paradigm; they also move into, through and beyond the literary piece.
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Being in the Noh: An Introduction to Japanese Noh Plays
Students analyze the conventions used in Noh plays and write an introduction to a Noh play of their own. In this Noh play lesson, students identify the conventions of the Noh form and analyze the realizations the main character achieves....
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Computers in the Classroom
Tenth graders identify and interpret modern poetry through exploration with guided instruction. Students use the Encarta Encylcopedia site to explore further modern poetry and locate poetry that inspires them. Students identify themes...
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Low and High with Ives
First graders read the Poem "The Elephant" by Shel Silverstein and create a descriptive web in the shape of an animal. In this cross curricular music lesson plan, 1st graders recite a poem with rhythm, then listen to the song...
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Impacting Indiana
Fourth graders become familiar with the culture and history of Indiana. In this James Whitcomb Riley instructional activity, 4th graders read poetry which includes the dialect of Indiana. Students analyze the poem. ...
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Harlem Renaissance
Learners investigate the African American culture in the 1920's and the Harlem Renaissance. They read and analyze poems written by poets of the Harlem Renaissance, listen to jazz music and identify the characteristics of the music, and...
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The Impact of Islamic Culture on the Arts of the Renaissance
Eighth graders examine the linguistic and cultural impact of the Arabic language and Islamic culture on the Spanish language. They analyze and label maps, listen to and differentiate between Spanish and Arabic music, and compare and...
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America, A Home for Every Culture
Learners investigate the many cultures that are represented in America. In this American culture lesson, students look at the food, languages, music, and traditions that immigrants have contributed to the face of America. They complete...
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Sense of Place: No River Too Wide-Bridges
Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River. In this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River. Students document...
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Memoir - The Gift of Memories
Learners create a memoir or poem about their favorite person or pet. In this favorite person or pet lesson plan, students also scan in pictures to PowerPoint and create a presentation about this person or pet as well.
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Making a Rainstick
Students construct a rainstick. In this music instructional activity, students investigate the history of the rainstick by reading the book Bringing the Rain to the Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema. Students express their feelings about the...
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Singing "What's New With Me"
Kindergarteners sing the song, "What's New With Me" adding rhythm with each go around. They clap, tap, and sing along with the teacher. Note: The song or song lyrics are not included.