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Vivid Verbs
Students explore parts of speech by collaborating in groups. In this verbs lesson, students examine several boring sentences with their class and define verbs which can spice the sentence up. Students collaborate in pairs to enhance...
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The Ad Campaign
Students explore how political candidates use mass media to deliver their messages to voters. Focusing on specific issues in the upcoming election, students create television commercials representing different parties' views.
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The Spirits of Toys Past, Present and Future
Students explore the evolution of toys and explore how the toy industry has adapted their products in response to advances in technology and changing customer expectations.
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Hollywood Candidate
Students consider how a political candidate creates a campaign image. They, in groups, create short biographical films promoting various candidates currently running for office in the United States.
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United States Legends
Students learn about legends in different states by communicating with students from different states. They exchange pictures and description through the Internet.
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A Twisted Love Poem
Students read poem about dating violence, discuss meaning of the poem, and compose essay about their interpretation and reactions to it.
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Oral Arguments Online
Middle schoolers participate in their own mock oral arguments. They create their own opinions and discuss any opposing opinions. They write their own opinion for a case to end the lesson.
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American Girl, Too
Students discuss the popularity of the American Girl dolls and write a wish-list for a nine-year-old girl. After reading an article, they discover the differences between this doll and barbie. As a class, they brainstorm eras or point...
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Sports Helmets and Impact Testing of Polymers
Students examine the importance of good quality safety gear. In this investigative lesson, students will tests various polymers, collect data, and analyze the data to determine which polymer is best for safety helmets. They will design a...
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Hands on Biome-Building
Students explore Earth science by participating in an environment activity. In this biome lesson, students discuss the importance of a healthy ecology in order to sustain life, both animal and plant. Students utilize a cardboard or wood...
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Hands on Biome-Building: Build a Forest
Learners explore Earth science by identifying environmental factors. In this biome lesson, students discuss the importance of a functioning ecology and design a biome diorama. Learners utilize images of trees and plants which represent a...
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Savanna Hands-On Biome Building
Fifth graders participate in an interdisciplinary project related to the Savanna biome. For this biome building lesson, 5th graders display the elements of the Savanna biome such as the geography, animals and plants, and...
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Thank You Notes
Students investigate the history of presidential proclamations and develop their own Thanksgiving Proclamations, highlighting current issues and sentiments.
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What's the Story?
Students explore how the same news story can be presented differently through various journalistic styles. They discuss the unique characteristics of each style and find articles on the same event in each of the different styles.
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The Who, What, and Y of Design
Students discover how large national chain stores create product lines that appeal to Generation-Y consumers. After learning in-depth about Target's new Dorm Room line, students create their own Generation-Y inspired product line.
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A Community Responds
Young scholars explore the recent case of police brutality in Inglewood, California. By exploring the case in detail and discussing possible responses, students examine how such events can be transformed into learning experiences.
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To Tell the Tale
Students explore how themes common to the human condition can be found in literary and oral traditions across cultures. They compile traditional folk tales around these themes and write their own tales to reflect their own cultural context.
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Buy or Lease an Automobile
Students gather information on 3 new cars they would like to buy or lease, and use mathematical comparisons to decide whether to buy or lease the car.
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Clinton's Farewell to the Nation
Students read the newspaper article, "A Pat and a Nudge from Outgoing Chief," about President Clinton's end of term actions, then discuss it.
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At Your Service
Learners discuss various volunteer activities and read how New York City organizes its volunteer efforts. They create their own databases compiling volunteer opportunities and write reflective essays on how volunteers help their...
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The Fight to End "Separate but Equal" in American Schools
Students study the court cases related to Brown v. Board of Education and the "separate but equal" standard established by Plessy v. Ferguson. They create an informational display that can be used to teach others the particulars of the...
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Families
First graders complete a unit on families and family structures. They create a family tree for their own family, construct a family mobile, sort and discuss photos of families from around the world, create a banner of ways to say "I...
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The Writing Process
Young scholars engage in the various steps involved in the writing process. The lesson plan is written as a guide for the teacher to write more in depth lesson plans for specific activities. This is a good model plan to follow.
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Create a Playbill!
Middle schoolers examine the variety of elements for a written play and create a playbill. They read about and define literary elements on a worksheet, and participate in a dramatic reading. Each student then creates and publishes a...