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Mark Twain and the American West
Young scholars analyze Mark Twain's "Western" voice. In this literature lesson, students read Roughing It by Twain and watch "The West." Young scholars examine Twain's history and compare it to the history of America's developing West....
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Declarations of Independence
Students examine what they know about American Indians past and present, then research key issues facing American Indian tribes today. To synthesize their learning, students write letters taking the perspective of an American Indian.
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The Art of Adaptation
Students examine and discuss animal adaptation. They read an article about snakes, conduct research on ways animals adapt, develop a diagram, and write a short story written from the perspective of the animal they researched.
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Searching for Meanings Benath the Surface of the Poem
Learners read "Soccer Until Dusk". As a class, they discuss the various settings and actions in the poem and discuss the life in Guatemala and compare it with the United States. To end the lesson, they complete a journal reflection...
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First Amendment Guarantee of Free Speech (Senior, Social Studies)
Learners receive a list of banned books from which they choose one to read. They read their chosen book and write a paper that includes a discussion of the First Amendment and its guarantees and the reason(s) why they believe their book...
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Putting Toxicogenomics To The Test
Students evaluate the pros and cons of a new approach to food, chemical, and drug testing. They read and discuss the Times article, 'DNA Chip May Help Usher In a New Era of Product Testing.'
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Science Fiction Fun
In this writing worksheet, students read a science fiction book and write a report. Students follow the 6 guidelines and answer the questions to complete this report.
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Life Savers?: Exploring Ethical Dilemmas Regarding AIDS Treatment in South Africa
Students participate in a roundtable forum to discuss the notion of defying South African national government policies in order to fight AIDS after reading the online article, "A Bold Move on AIDS in South Africa."
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Able Am I
Students read the article "Disabled Skier Designs His Way to Be a Daredevil." They discuss using the questions on the lesson plan. Students create large sized baseball cards featuring competitive, disabled athletes.
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A Different World?
Students share their opinions in a brainstorming session on the factors that contribute to their quality of life. They read the article "Life Is Better; It Isn't Better. Which Is It?," from the NY Times and discuss the article as a...
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Talk About the Passion
Young scholars think critically about artistic freedom and evaluate the aims and effectiveness of censorship and education. They begin an investigation of the ongoing controversy surrounding Mel Gibson's "The Passion of Christ" by...
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Pandemic Panic
Students gather information about the H1N1 virus, and share this information. For this pandemic lesson students read about Influenza A, or Swine Flu, compile information on the disease, and then present their findings to the class.
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Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-Challenger: America's Space Tragedy
Young scholars read Challenger: America's Space Tragedy by MichaelD. Cole. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study of the Challenger space shuttle tragedy. Included are reading, art, math, science,...
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Official Statements
Students research the viewpoints of famous Americans, and then write commencement speeches reflecting these viewpoints to be delivered to high school graduates of today.
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Blubber: Discussion Guide
Students read Blubber by Judy Blume. In this Blubber discussion lesson, students answer pre-, during, and post- reading of the novel to assist them with comprehension. Themes addressed are problem solving, perspectives, leadership, and...
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The View
Students explore the structure and purpose of Op-Ed pieces in the newspaper. They then write Op-Eds from the perspectives of United States presidents on important issues of their day.
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Your Future Occupation
Students write a story about themselves as the main character in a work situation. In this writing perspectives activity, students brainstorm about their future occupation. Students then use themselves as the main character in a short...
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Nonfiction Genre Mini-Unit: Persuasive Writing
Should primary graders have their own computers? Should animals be kept in captivity? Young writers learn how to develop and support a claim in this short unit on persuasive writing.
Peace Corps
Brief Encounters
How are Pandyas different than Chispas? Explore cultural norms and societal behaviors with an engaging role-play activity. Split into groups of two hypothetical cultural groups, the formal Pandyas and the sociable Chispas, and another...
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Identify and Evaluate Problem-Solving Processes and Solutions
Students identify a problem, the process by which it is solved, and the solution in a piece of literature. In this problem solving lesson, students read a nonfiction passage and use a think-pair-share strategy to identify the...
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What's My Point?
Sixth graders move through the process of defining persuasion, identifying persuasive arguments and techniques in writing and evaluating their own use of accurate details. Students also define an author's point of view.
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Women and the Civil War Era
Learners explore feminism and explore the different roles of women and how they have changed over time. They read books about women in this period and evaluate the past, observe the present, and make assumptions about the future.
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"The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe
High schoolers read and analyze the short story "The Fall of the House of Usher" by Edgar Allan Poe. They take notes while reading the story, select an element to analyze, and write an essay about the characters, theme, or the setting.
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Triumphant Spirit
Students watch a video which allows them to listen to a woman tell her tale as a young girl in Germany. Upon viewing this video and completing the reading assignment, students write about a person with a triumphant spirit.