Cornell University
Beam Focusing Using Lenses
Explore optics using an inquiry-based experimental approach! Young scholars use a set of materials to design and build a unit capable of focusing a beam of light. They experiment with different lenses to determine the best approach to...
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Deadlock on Verdict
Students read a text about a murder trial. They review related vocabulary, complete a matching exercise and take a quiz. Afterward, they play a game called 'alibi' where the group with the weakest alibi is found guilty.
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Textbook Changes in Japan
Students recognize that the Japanese government has made attempts to alter history textbooks to make it look like the military did not play a major role in the mass suicides during the American invasion in 1945. They review vocabulary,...
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Johnny Tremain/Boston Tea Party
Fifth graders understand chronological order of events. In this Boston Tea Party lesson, 5th graders compare the events surrounding the Boston Tea Party to current times. Students learn vocabulary and customs of the revolutionary times....
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How government Works
Students read to understand the process of lawmaking. In this lawmaking lesson, students define vocabulary and create an organizer showing the law making process. Students role play the various people involved in the...
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National Turkey Off to Disneyland
Students share their holiday traditions, then read about an American Thanksgiving custom. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the news article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, the students participate in a...
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The Story of Ruby Bridges
Students research Ruby Bridges and discuss differences they have with their classmates while also discussing their equality. In this Ruby Bridges lesson plan, students also write about a character word that describes Ruby, and create an...
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New Food Saves Lives, Could End Hunger
Students locate the country of Niger, then read a news article about a new type of food that is being used to fight childhood hunger in Africa. In this current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with map...
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Play with Words: Rhymes & Verse
Students listen to poems and rhymes, clap out syllables, and sing along with familiar tunes. They use puppets and crafts to help recall and retell favorite poems, and craft their own poems.
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Companies Racing to Build Electric Car
Students examine how they use batteries, then read a news article about how cars are being designed to use batteries. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then...
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Family Sells House to Help the Hungry
Learners compare their wants and needs, then read a news article about a family that downsized their home to help African villagers. In this current events and poverty in Africa activity, the teacher introduces the article with a...
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Parents Hand Out Unusual Punishments
Students discuss how they are disciplined at home, then read a news article about some unusual punishments given to children. For this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity,...
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'No Cussing' Clubs Catching on with Kids
Students read a news article about a boy in California who wants to encourage his peers to use good language. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a short rap, discussion, and vocabulary activity, then...
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Presidential Election One Year Away
Students identify political parties, then read a news article about the 2008 election. In this current events lesson (written prior to the 2008 election), the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then...
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Coming Soon: Sodas with Vitamins
Students react to a series of statements about sodas, then read a news article about the addition of vitamins to sodas to increase sales. In this nutrition and current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article...
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Remembering Jackie Robinson
Students create a list of famous African Americans, then read a news article about Jackie Robinson. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then students read the news...
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A Town on the Move
Students evaluate the moving of buildings, then read a news article about one town relocating building to save their economy. In this economics and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and...
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Construction Starts on Freedom Tower
Students are introduced to an image of Freedom Tower, then read a news article about the construction of this building that will be completed in 2011. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with an...
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Move It!
Students observe a demonstration presented by the teacher covering different types of energy. They participate in an experiment where they study numerous physics vocabulary words and visit websites that demonstrate examples of these...
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Turn Down Music to Save Hearing
Students participate in a informal survey of their listening habits, then read a news article about the possibility of portable music players harming kids hearing. For this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a...
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Chips, Anyone?
Learners identify how computer technology affects their lives, then read a news article about the impact of computer chips implanted under some people's skin. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a...
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Readers Theatre: Presenting Historical Events Through Theatre
Students examine historical events. In this lesson on the US Constitution, students engage in a theatrical exploration of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They also engage in an extensive discussion, complete worksheets and draft...
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Pets are Popular with U.S. Presidents
Students discuss their pets and read about pets that have lived in the White House. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a vocabulary activity and pet survey, then the students read the news article and...
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Football a Big Success in Small Alaska City
Students read about the creation of a football program at a small-town school in Alaska. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a map and vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and...