Orange County Department of Education
Integrity and a Boy Called Slow
Fifth graders identify the character trait of integrity in the main character, Slow, in "A Boy Called Slow." They participate in a discussion to determine what steps the main character took to earn his new name. Students write an essay...
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The Great Kapok Tree Debate
Students participate in a read aloud of the story, "The Great Kapok Tree" in which a logger decides not to cut down a tree. In small groups, they discuss and write about their opinion on the logger's decision. Each group then presents...
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I See and I Think (It's A Wonderful World)
Pupils analyze song lyrics (by listening to the song) to pick-out descriptive vocabulary. They use this descriptive vocabulary to create a drawing of the images they "see" in the song. They compare their drawings to find similarities and...
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Creative Autobiography
Learners brainstorm and outline ideas for their autobiography. They begin composition of it as well. Students create a timeline of important events to help them get started and discuss the elements of a what makes a good story.
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ELA Lesson Plan Focusing on Artists and Composers
Learners research a selected composer and artist. They write a biography about each one and include information about at least two works created by the chosen artist or composer. Students note similar characteristics of their compared...
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A Dream of Class Perfection
Students discover the influence of Greek classical art and philosophy on the French Revolution. In this art lesson plan, students analyze a Neoclassical artist and write an essay in which they discuss how the style contributes to the...
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Nutrition (Weight Management)
Seventh graders explore nutrition and the effect it has by participating in class discussions. In this diet and exercise lesson, 7th graders analyze print advertisements and discuss how unrealistic their expectations are and how...
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The Life and Times of Robert Frost
Students explore the life and times of Robert Frost. Using a fact worksheet imbedded students access websites to gather information about the life and writings of Robert Frost.
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Masks Across Cultures
Middle schoolers examine various masks from different cultures. In groups, they review vocabulary related to expressing emotions in art. They work together to create a mask using the techniques described to them and representing a...
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Holocaust Literature Circle Discussion
Seventh graders participate in a literature circle regarding various novels of Holocaust literature. They read their selected novel and write a journal entry in response to the reading, and in small groups participate in a group...
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10 Things I Hate about Shakespeare
Students look at the works of Shakespeare to describe and explain relationships among some of the different texts. The writing of the learners has the intent of increasing comprehension, interpretation, and critical analysis skills.
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Press Release
Seventh graders write and publish a press release. In this news writing instructional activity, 7th graders analyze press releases from various online sources. Students write a press release about a major event in their school.
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Youth Leading the Way
Students share opinions about groups or activities that give meaning to their lives. They read and discuss the article "Challenging Tradition, Young Jews Worship on Their Terms". Afterward, they investigate and write news articles about...
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Eleanor Rigby, The Beatles; Le Martequ sans Maitre, Boulez
In this music learning exercise, students analyze two songs. They write about the structure of the music, including such elements as tonal structure and chording. Students respond to questions about the musical background of the...
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Still Life Painting: Arranging Nature
Young scholars choose meaningful objects for a still-life arrangement and paint it using watercolors and write an artist’s statement. In this still life art lesson, students identify and analyze the characteristics of a still-life...
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Issues and Opposing Views: Cloning
Students complete analysis activities to compare and contrast an opposing view point in writing and orally. In this opposing views lesson, students complete research about cloning. Students make presentations for their view points on the...
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Dig In! A Study of the Earth's Crust
Young scholars write a praise chorus and discover the composition of the Earth's crust. In this Biblical creation and the Earth's crust lesson, students read a praise passage from Psalms and perform a choral reading. Young...
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Kafka's Metamorphosis
Young scholars explore the concept of symbolism through reading The Metamorphosis by Kafka. In this literature lesson, students discuss the using of symbolism in Kafka's The Metamorphosis and create a composition that details a...
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What's Right and Wrong? Moral Messages in Art
Students explore the Steen and Mount paintings and their presentation of moral issues. They discuss ethical debates in society today and write a short position paper on an issue raised by the paintings or in the discussion. They make a...
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The Politics of Big Business
Middle schoolers role-play the responsibilities of the House of Representatives as they consider how to solve the problem of undue influence by big business monopolies. They evaluate their proposed solutions and write an essay with their...
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Studying the African Immigration Lesson Plan
Learners read a narrative, conduct an interview and write an autobiographical piece highlighting their findings about an immigrant's experience leaving their country.
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Chemical Reactions and Balancing Equations
Students perform various laboratory activities involving chemical reactions. They write balanced chemical equations for all reactions observed using computer software.
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Just "Who" are the Three Little Pigs?
Fourth graders use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast various versions of the story The Three Little Pigs. They write a Cinquain, and then act out their version of the Three Little Pigs in a skit.
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Second Graders Create Their Own Social Studies Book (Part I, The 5Ws of the Constitution)
Students develop their own social studies textbook using a blank theme book as they complete activities and learning experiences throughout the year. The activities are in art, music, simulations, read alouds, shared writing and a class...