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Kids Get School Named for Obama

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students read about the renaming of a school for Barack Obama. In this political instructional activity, the teacher presents vocabulary words from the news article, then the students read the article and answer comprehension questions....
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The Magic Apple

For Teachers 1st
First graders read The Magic Apple and complete interdisciplinary activities related to the book.  In this folktale instructional activity, 1st graders answer comprehension questions, recognize and record short /i/  sound...
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Reaching Across Borders In Southern Africa

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students gain a greater understanding of how political borders impact human and environmental development. Then, either individually or as a class, establish a correspondence with a Peace Corps volunteer working in Africa.
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Real-Life History

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students collect artifacts which are part of their family/community history. They gather at home and share in the classroom at a specified time when extra care and supervision might be provided.
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Improvisational Setting - "Where are You?"

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore setting through improvisations.  For this theatre lesson, 2nd graders perform a variety of improvisations in different settings and chart how they established the setting in the different environments. 
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Under the Blood-Red Sun

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore U.S. history by reading an award winning book about World War II. In this Japanese internment camp lesson, 5th graders read the book Under the Blood-Red Sun and discuss the entrapment of Japanese-Americans on our...
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Sahara Special

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read the book Sahara Special and participate in comprehension activities. In this realistic fiction lesson, 3rd graders create a brochure for where they live. Students have personal bags, a brown paper bag, that they fill...
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How Does a Butterfly Grow?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the stages of a butterfly. They read and discuss the book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle. They draw a picture of their favorite part and create a graph. They write a letter to Eric Carle and observe a...
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The Great Kapok Tree - Economic Impact of Deforestation

For Teachers K - 7th
Learners read "The Great Kapok Tree" by Lynne Cherry. They, in groups, research the economic impacts of deforestation in areas with rain forest and identify resources that humans use from the rain forest.
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Letters from Rifka

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Learners read Karen Hesse's book "Letters from Rifka" and explore how it presents the experiences of a Russian immigrant to America. They research and write reports on the experiences of various immigrants from different cultures, keep...
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Spain and Bullfighting

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers research Spain and bullfighting. They use the Internet and other reference materials. Spain's bullfighting festivals and activities will be used as a springboard for inspiring students to write creatively.
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Easter Island

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders describe the location and physical environment of Easter Island. This description include: identification of the closet continent to Easter Island, ocean in which Easter Island is located, and some geographical features of...
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Friends in the Community

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders build a classroom community by getting to know each other better. They ask classmates various questions and use graphic organizer software and Microsoft PowerPoint. Students practice their oral language skills while asking...
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What's In A Name

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders write a paragraph about their findings on what their name represents. In this writing lesson plan, 2nd graders will research their name and why they were named that. They will draw a picture that represents them along with...
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Apple Exploration!

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore a variety of classroom stations about apples and Johnny Appleseed.
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Dramatizing Fables

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students familiarize themselves with fables by listening to several of them. They define fables. They identify the moral of a specific fable. They identify characters, plot and sequence of events. They create a mask of a character in a...
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Historical Heroes and Character Sketches

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young scholars write a character sketch and present it in first person.  In this historical heroes and character sketches lesson, students "meet" Harriet Tubman (played by their teacher) and discuss her...
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Math: Perimeter, Area, and Volume

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discover how to compute the perimeter, area, and volume of different objects. With partners, they find and calculate the perimeter , area, and volume of 10 items each and exchange information. Students compile their...
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Evacuating a Volcano: A Simulation

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students imagine themselves staying for the weekend in a summer cabin near Mount St. Helens (or other volcanic site,) and having to quickly evacuate the area.
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Reading the Landscape in Children's Literature

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students identify geographical information about landscapes found in student literature, demonstrate an organizing tool, developed around geographical themes, for the recording of information, and share uses of this approach.
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Dinosaurs - Online Research

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders familiarize themselves with dinosaurs through online research.
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Take Only Photos and Leave Only Bubbles

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Young scholars make careful observations and record their observations. They communicate their findings with their peers and analyze data collected about a site. They determine what it means to be a looter, and feel the direct effects of...
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Animals of Madagascar

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students are each assigned an animal from Madagascar. They research their animal and design a picture book about their animal. Students design a cover page, back page, bibliography page and the title page. Their book will contain...
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The Well of Truth

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students read and explore an Egyptian folktale. In this folktale lesson, students read the book The Well of Truth and discuss geographical facts about Egypt. Students complete several reading comprehension activities including a...