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Story of a Bluebird
First graders build comprehension skills. In this reading comprehension instructional activity, 1st graders activate prior knowledge and create text to self connection in preparation for reading. Students read Story of a Bluebird and...
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Lights-Camera-Action
First graders increase their reading fluency through rereading selected text. After reading a grade level appropriate text multiple times, they complete a fluency and reading expression drill with the instructor. Students complete a...
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Race to the Finish Line
Student increase their reading fluency through the use of various strategies. After reviewing the importance of fluent reading, 3rd graders complete an initial read of a novel text. Working with a partner, they read complete a timed...
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1-2-3 Go!
Students practice becoming fluent readers with timed repeated readings. They read passages for one minute and tally the number of words read. They repeat this process several times and count the number of words each time. They complete...
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Vroom, Vroom, Vroom! Off We Go!
Students practice sentences and short books to improve their fluency. They read practice sentences to model fluent reading. They review decoding strategies for unknown words including cross-checking. They read with their partner and...
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Speedy Readers
Student increase their reading fluency through the use of various strategies. After reviewing chunking, decoding, and rereading, students complete an initial read of a novel text. Working with a partner, they read complete a timed...
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Get Lucky!
Learners practice improving their reading fluency and pace. They review the u=/u/ correspondence. Students read "Just My Luck" and discuss what the book is about. They practice reading the story with expression and improved pace with...
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Poof!!! Let's Become Fluent Readers
Students listen as the teacher explains fluency and why it's important. They listen as the teacher demonstrates reading fluently and nonfluently. Students listen as the teacher introduces "Doc in the Fog." They practice reading the...
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Speedy Readers
Students read orally to increase their reading speed and fluency in this lesson. They listen to the teacher model expressive and fluent reading. They then practice reading orally with a partner. The partner times their reading with...
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Kitty Protector
Pupils observe and demonstrate a variety of strategies for reading silently. They observe the teacher model techniques for reading silently, and discuss decoding strategies. As a class, they silently read the book "The Fire Cat" and...
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Discovering Japan Through Cooperative Research
Search a variety of sources to create a multimedia or book project about Japan. Learners use the independent investigation method to plan and conduct research about Japan. They use the information they discover to create a computer book...
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Understanding Points of View
Investigate the importance of author's point of view. Young linguists study primary source documents related to the Treaty of Casco Bay. The first source is authored by the Native American Chiefs, the second by an English...
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Untying the Knot
What are the current trends in divorce? What contributes to this? Examine celebrity relationship trends and how they relate to the general public with this discussion lesson. Middle schoolers analyze the results of a Census Bureau study...
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Is That a Fact?
Investigate popular scientific claims and gather evidence to defend or argue against an author's stance. Writers synthesize information and compose their own "Really?" columns modeled after those found in the weekly "Science Times"...
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Putting History in its Place
Examine ways in which historic places and landmarks represent significant themes and events in American history. Then create theme-based travel guides for related historic locations. This lesson requires informational reference materials...
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Diving into Iceland's Genetic Pool
Investigate ethical issues surrounding the Decode project in Iceland. Middle and high schoolers take the positions of the Icelandic government, scientific researchers, and citizens and defend or refute the Decode project in a Reykjavik...
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What Has Brown Done for You?
Learners review the facts of the court case Brown v. Board of Education. Next, they research recent court cases that uphold contrasting views on the landmark decision. They write opinions about these recent court cases from a 1954...
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Hic-Hic-Hooray!
What is really the best way to get rid of hiccups? Investigate some old wives' tales and folk remedies related to health. Middle schoolers explore the science behind why people might believe these myths to be true and find the real...
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Whose Rite Is It?
The class explores and debates, from multiple perspectives, a petition to allow Hopi Indians to take golden eagle hatchlings from a federal wildlife sanctuary for use in a religious ceremony. Pupils defend their personal views on the...
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Smart Design
Share pupil responses to an interactive slide show about a design initiative intended to help the world's poor. The class works in groups to brainstorm ideas, and then prepares sketches of their own design solutions. Each rendering...
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A Soldier's View of the American Civil War
Study and research the American Civil War in this explanatory writing lesson. Middle schoolers complete six activities to learn about the American Civil War and soldiers' views of the war. The lesson includes several options to complete...
Channel Islands Film
Cache: Lesson Plan 3 - Grades 4-5
Should the excavation of what is believed to be the cave of the Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island be allowed to continue? As a practice exercise designed to prepare pupils for a timed writing exam, individuals read two Los Angeles...
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Summary and "The Fallacy of Success"
Suggested to accompany a class reading of The Great Gatsby, this plan begins with a discussion emphasizing the reputation of Vanderbilt University. Then, after the class has a working knowledge of the wealth associated with the school,...
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Claims in "The Crisis, No. 1"
"The Crisis, No. 1" is the focus of a series of exercises that ask learners to read closely and annotate Thomas Paine's text. Groups identify claims and evidence in the essay and present their arguments to the class. Teacher background...