Carnegie Library
Creative Writing: Middle School Lesson Plan
Enhance a unit on historical fiction with an engaging writing lesson. Learners bring the Industrial Era to life as they compose their own historical fiction pieces based on primary source images of Pittsburgh steel workers.
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If These Objects Could Talk
Students examine American Indian artifacts through historical, cultural and artistic lenses. They explore the philosophy behind the Smithsonian Institute's new museum to honor American Indian history and traditions.
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Genes at Work
Young scholars explore and discuss genetics stories and answer questions about genetic outcomes of offspring. In this genetics lesson, students read genetics stories on a web site. Young scholars use a chart to answer questions regarding...
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Virtual Realities of War
Students outline the major events, mat??riel, and setting of a war or conflict. They develop a computer game narrative that draws on these historically accurate details.
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Let Me Tell You About My State
Fifth graders research one of the 50 U.S. States that they were unfamiliar with. In this U.S. Geography lesson, 5th graders utilize encyclopedias as well as the Internet to research a chosen U.S. State in order to write a report....
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Raising the Titanic
Ninth graders research the history of a person who was aboard the Titanic and write about the part he/she played in the world's greatest maritime disaster.
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Nureyev: After Petipa
Students examine dance and choreography in Russian history. In this Russian history lesson, students discover details about Russian ballet and the work of Marius Petipa as they conduct independent research and present their findings to...
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The Story of Red and Blue: Art
Middle schoolers identify art history by examining a list of images on-line. In this painting lesson, students identify the work of Keith Haring by researching the Internet and discuss his style of artwork. Middle schoolers utilize...
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Divided We Stand
Students research historic issues and events that have divided Americans in the past. They assess the division in American society shown by the 2000 presidential election by writing from the perspectives of people who have seen other...
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One China, Two Systems
Students study the term 'peaceful coexistence' and the role it plays in the Chinese process for reunification with Taiwan. They research and assess the political ideologies, economic stability and national identities of the countries...
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Dig Those Descriptions
Learners practice writing descriptions by researching various artifacts from ancient Egypt and writing captions for them. They read and discuss the Times article, King Tut, Museum Trailblazer, Begins Encore.
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Resolving Kennedy's Legacy
Students examine the Kennedy presidency. In this presidential history lesson, students watch "Resolving Kennedy's Legacy." Students then discuss the provided questions regarding the presidency and write position papers about about the...
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Viking Discoveries
Students examine Viking discoveries. In this Viking history instructional activity, students research Viking culture. Students use their research findings to write historically accurate narratives and build longship models.
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World Cup 2010: WebQuest and Activities
Middle schoolers discover the history of the World Cup and the current host country, South Africa. In this athletics lesson, students utilize the Internet to research and complete a WebQuest about South Africa. Middle...
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Red, Undecided, and Blue
Students analyze voter preferences in past elections, and then write letters to a presidential candidate, recommending winning strategies drawn from their research.
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Pass the Peace Pipe
Students investigate the history of smoking in the United States. In this history of smoking instructional activity, students read about the Native American influence on early settlers before researching the Internet for information...
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US Patriotic Symbols: The North American Bald Eagle
Students research the North American bald eagle to determine if this bird's characteristics make it an appropriate symbol to represent the United States as a country. They debate the substitution of other bird species for the eagle.
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Right About Now… and Then
Students discuss significant figures in music history and read an article about the Smithsonian's Hip-Hop exhibit. In groups, they develop and curate an exhibition of hip-hop music and history using artifacts that represent relevant...
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What Do You Know About Scotland?
Learners investigate global geography by researching the country of Scotland. In this cultural investigation lesson plan, students view images of Scotland on a computer and listen to audio interviews about Scottish citizens. Learners...
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Dude, I'm Interviewing the President
Student define issues and questions they would discuss with a president. Students read "Bill and Leo's Excellent Encounter". Students choose famous personalities, research their celebrity, and create a mock interview with them.
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Venerable Inventors
Students discuss important historic inventors and read their biographical information. In this world history lesson, students describe Alexander Bell, Thomas Edison, and Guglielmo Marconi using vocabulary terms used in their text....
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Virtual Figure Sculptures
Students identify visual arts by identifying famous artwork on-line. In this sculpture lesson, students utilize the web to research popular sculptors and to see a video interview with Keith Haring. Students utilize paper,...
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What Lies Beneath
Students conduct Internet research on the history and archaeological excavations at historical Jamestown. They explore various websites, and develop a Powerpoint presentation to present to the class.
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Celebrating 100 Years of Flight
Participate in the 100th anniversary of the first flight. In groups, learners use the internet to research the roles the Wright Brothers and Amelia Earhart played in promoting the use of flight. They use the information to write and...