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Stranger Than Fiction
Students reflect on the importance of science literacy. They review the year's science curriculum by reading, discussing and writing questions on teacher-selected New York Times articles and the related science content.
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Grade 1 Phonics- Short a
Work on the short /a/ in phonics lessons. Recognize and identify "Aa," name the letter "A," know the short /a/ sound, rhyme using short /a/ word families, decode basic short consonant-vowel-consonant words and transfer wisdom of the...
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Earth Science
Students explore the planets and celestial bodies in our solar system. In this outer space lesson plan, students identify the planets and record journal information about them and other celestial bodies. Students define outer space words.
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Lewis and Clark
Fifth graders use the Internet to research a topic. In this expeditions instructional activity, 5th graders answer questions about Lewis and Clark based on the movie they watched previously, use the Internet to research Lewis and...
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Fifty Years: From the Little Rock Nine to the Jena Six
Young scholars discuss how the issues surrounding school integration have changed since the Little Rock Nine entered Central High School. They discuss the recent events in Jena, Louisiana. Students write a letter to a school...
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Gender Bender
Students explore the effects of Title IX. In addition, tudents create revised rulebooks for a sport in their school based on their understanding of Title IX and write a related article for the school newspaper.
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Thanksgiving Traditions
Everyone celebrates traditions in different ways. Young writers share the ways their families celebrate Thanksgiving with a journal writing prompt and discussion activity.
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Digging Deeper
Fifth graders write a report. In this research lesson, 5th graders work in groups to complete an Internet scavenger hunt. Students research an area of health related to nutrition or exercise, write a report and present their report to...
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What is a Cloud?
Students identify what clouds are made of. In this weather science lesson, students look at clouds outside the window and draw what they see in their journals. Students read the book It Looked Like Spilled Milk and identify what clouds...
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The Aftermath of War
Students share their opinions on the war in Iraq. After reading an article, they identify the thoughts of President Bush on the conflict. In groups, they share their opinions for and against current United States policy in Iraq and the...
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Revolutionary War
Students identify and research significant people, causes, and primary documents of the U.S. Revolutionary War. They create a class Revolutionary War web using Inspiration computer software, write a journal depicting three days in the...
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Manifest Destiny
Learners explore the concept of Manifest Destiny. For this Westward Expansion lesson, students discuss the impact of Manifest Destiny on different groups of people who inhabited the West. Learners create journals...
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Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?
Students compare wolves' behaviors to those of the human race. In this wolf lesson students write a story that will show that wolves are either good or evil.
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Jane Goodall, Renowned Naturalist and Champion of Chimpanzees
Young scholars study the life of Jane Goodall and how she made an impact studying chimpanzees. In this endangered species lesson plan students write in their journals.
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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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It's A Dog-Eat-Dog World
Students examine the dangers of owning and breeding aggressive dogs. They debate whether aggressive dogs should be kept as pets. They write an essay from their point of view about aggressive dogs as pets.
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I Am a Book
Third graders discuss books that have been banned and the things that they have in common. They explore the concept of freedom of speech and write poems based on their discussion.
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Calling Names
Students explore how language shapes debate by researching the names and tags both advocates and opponents use when discussing a topical issue. For homework, they create name collages and write prose poems.
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Circle Justice—Lesson 1: The Anger Within
High schoolers examine the emotion of anger through the poem 'A Poison Tree'. In this poetry analysis lesson, students identify and decode unfamiliar vocabulary they encounter, engage in groups discussions and complete several...
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Freedom and You
Students research the American Revolution. In this Revolutionary War activity, students research facts about the American Revolution, write an expository essay, and peer edit for good content. The paper is suggested to be written after...
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Spirit Bear Speaks
Students read an online article about Canadian efforts to preserve Great Bear Rain Forest. They create ecotourism brochures on the forest and write and essay.
The New York Times
Kidding Around Down Under
After reading an article, "From an Alternate to a 'Miracle Kid' in a Flash," youngsters discuss the kind of commitment required for a teenager to become an Olympic athlete. A variety of activities is suggested, and the popular topic...
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Babes in Electronic Toyland
Students read a New York Times article in order to explore the use of handheld electronic devices in schools. They investigate, through surveys and essay-writing, the pros and cons of this technology.
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A Chair for Mr. Bear
Students listen to Goldilocks and the Three Bears, and work collaboratively to create a chair for a small stuffed animal that will allow it to sit upright and withstand a short drop out of Legos. Students write about the engineering...