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Mixing Metaphors with Politics
Young scholars discuss different literary devices and use them to write summaries of New York Times articles dealing with international news. They reflect on the effectiveness and appropriateness of sports metaphors in the political arena.
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Using History to Teach Tolerance: A Ripple of Hope
Learners investigate the prejudice and racism that has existed in the U.S. for centuries by attending a field trip. In this equality lesson, students visit the Tolerance Museum and discuss the history of the U.S. Learners...
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Movie Music
Students discover film making by participating in a music performance. In this performance arts lesson, students perform music and physical acting to convey an already written script for their peers. Students collaborate with...
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Predicting Our Way to the Top
Fourth graders make predictions. In this prediction lesson students enter quotes into their journal as they read. They write down quotes from each chapter that they feel make predictions about the story.
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Reporting in Letters
Students investigate the cultures and politics of different countries and write radio letters to listeners in those countries modeled after Alistair Cooke's "Letter from America."
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Characters' Coming of Age
Learners develop older versions of child or adolescent characters from favorite works of literature, adapting them for teenage or adult sequels. They each outline a sequel and write its first chapter.
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Capturing the Moment
Students create photography timelines of the Civil Rights movement and write journal entries reflecting on the capacity of photographs to evoke personal and collective historical memory.
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Uncle Sam Wants You!
Students examine several narratives exploring attitudes to World War II involvement at the time. They develop their own opinions and write a fictional personal narrative to record their observations.
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World Religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam
Students explore the three main monotheistic religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. They compare the history, important figures, holy books, places of worship, and symbols of faith of each religion through discussion...
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Christmas Around the World
Students use the internet to examine how other countries celebrate Christmas. They practice saying "Merry Christmas" in different languages and create a flyer about the benefits of having a tree for the holidays. They also write a...
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Integrating Japanese Folk Tales into the Classroom Using Japanese Kamishibai
Students study Japanese folk tales focusing on the traditional values and key elements. They compare the Japanese values with their own. They discuss Japanese art before designing a set of kamishibai on which they write a summary of a...
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New Year Celebrations Around the Globe
Students view art images of Norman Rockwell's family traditions and celebrations. They search the internet for information, and complete reflective and creative writing and sketch assignments. Students recognize and name emotions shown...
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Let's Be Honest!
Students investigate the concepts of honesty and take a survey about honesty. They use the New York Times to conduct research to identify the characteristics commonly found in stories about cheating. Students write reflective papers...
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The Rainbow Fish
Students read a story. For this diversity lesson, students read The Rainbow Fish, by Marcus Pfister, discuss sharing and uniqueness, and decorate their own scale with information about them using pictures or words.
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And Still The Turtle Watched
Third graders discuss ways to be kind to the Earth. In this conservation lesson, 3rd graders listen to the story And Still The Turtle Watched by Sheila MacGill-Callalhan. They compare how the early people treated the Earth to how we...
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The Life and Times of Tomie dePaola
First graders research information about the author Tomie dePaola. In this author studies lesson, 1st graders use the computer to find information about Tomie dePaola's life and writing accomplishments. Students create booklet about the...
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The Mythical, Magical, Middle Ages...NOT!
Students complete worksheets and roleplay feudal simulations as they are immersed in the daily life of the Middle Ages. They study geography of Europe and the origins of European tribes. They outline and write a biographical essay and...
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Halloween Crafts and Games
Students access a variety of Halloween themed websites. They locate information on crafts, games and activities relating to Halloween. They complete world problems, write poetry and test reading comprehension.
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Social Studies: Religions and Folktales of India
Students examine the world's major religions, focusing on India as presented in folktales. They take notes while reading the stories and retell them orally. Students research belief systems and write one-paragraph reflections about them.
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Block the Shock Jock or Not?
Students examine their own experiences with racist and sexist speech by deciding whether or not they agree or disagree with statements related to this subject. They explore the limits of public speech by reading about the controversy...
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Under Over By the Clover: What is a Preposition?
Fifth graders study prepositions in everyday writing. In this identifying prepositions lesson plan, 5th graders read the book: Over Under By the Clover and identify prepositions in the story.
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Our Treasured Trees
Young scholars discuss natural resources and renewable resources with trees being considered renewable resources which need special attention. In this Earth science lesson, students write a list of reasons for why it would be good to...
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Moby-Dick
Students take on the persona of a sailor or a captain of a whaling vessel in New England in the 1800s and write five journal entries as that person. In this Moby Dick lesson, students research the whaling industry in 19th...
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Susan B. Anthony & Women's Suffrage
Students explore the life of Susan B. Anthony and Victorian views on women's suffrage. After discussing the suffrage movement, groups of students observe lithographs and discuss reasons for Miss Anthony's arrest. They read a petition...