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Swirling, Twirling, Glistening Jewels... Glass Art In Words

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils examine the art form of the glass sculpture. After viewing a three dimensional object, they write creatively describing the object through the use of metaphors. They use peer editing to check for grammatical and spelling errors.
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Thoreau

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders answer the question Why Westborough? Why did their town develop as it did, what types of industry were here and why. They are introduced to journal writing. Students free write about ideas that stand out from class. ...
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Creating Hate: The Power of Words

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students explore why authors choose to use hate words in literature. In this power of words lesson, students complete group participation, journal entries, and written assignments to investigate the use of inflammatory...
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Dateline: Troy

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners read an abridged version of The Odyssey andl write a composition comparing Odysseus or the Iliad with Odysseus of The Odyssey. Students write a speech that King Priam would make in the attempt to persuade his son, Paris, to...
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Pinckney Benedict's "The Sutton Pie Safe" from Town Smokes

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Young scholars read Pinckney Benedict's "The Sutton Pie Safe" to learn about family symbols and social commentary. In this close reading lesson, students read four journal prompts for the story and answer the listed questions for each...
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Peer Pressure

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders analyze the social impact media plays in relation to peer pressure. In this peer pressure lesson, 11th graders listen to Afroman's "Lets All Get Drunk" and read the lyrics. Students write about the song and view a party...
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Focusing with Anticipation Guides

For Teachers 3rd - 11th
Students write with a sharp, distinct focus identifying topic, task and audience. They discuss anticipatory statements with supporting details. Students create an essential question at the beginning of a composition, novel, or unit.
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Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-Shakespeare and Macbeth: The Story Behind the Play

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students read Shakespeare and Macbeth: The Story Behind the Play by Stewart Ross. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the play and Shakespearian culture. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing,...
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Poetry: What's on Your Plate (Part 2)

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students write a short paragraph using strong descriptions.  In this using modifiers lesson, students define modifier, adjective, adverb, metaphor, and simile.  Students then write a journal entry in which they write about a...
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I Am . . .

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders read Eloise Greenfield's novella, 'Sister'. They write their personal responses quickly, foregoing concern about usage, spelling, and punctuation at this point. They write about their day, or may write about any...
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Breaking Free From Conformity: A study in modern day Transcendentalism

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students begin with a journal entry on the topic "Why does Ralph Waldo Emerson advocate self-reliance?" They listen to Gavin Degraw's "I Want to Be." Students write their interpretation of the song. Students write an essay about Liars...
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Deciphering Community

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the concept of a community. They identify and group various kinds of communities. Students create a concept map exemplifying their membership in different communities. They write a narrative describing their...
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students complete activities for the autobiography of Maya Angelou. In this autobiography lesson, students write a journal entry about their life and discuss the morphology of the word autobiography. Students use active reading...
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Point of View and Mentor Relationships

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders  analyze the role of mentors, point of view, and prejudice using the texts of To Kill a Mockingbird and Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. For this literature analysis lesson, 10th graders review Scout's...
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Surviving the Hatchet

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners read the book, Hatchet, and write their thoughts and reactions about the events in their journals.
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Something About Me

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students write a list poem based on a word that describes them. The teacher uses the poems to compile a book about students in the class.
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Nothing But the Truth

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners write a response to: As a teenager, have you ever told the truth about something important and adults didn't believe you? How did you feel? Describe and explain a specific time where you told the truth to adults and weren't...
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ROCKING ON TO THE ROCK

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students view the illustrations of family life in the early colonies and make a list of 10 things they see. Then compare those 10 items with your life today. Then read some of the novel "Constance" and write down 8 things that are learned.
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Floating Soap

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners use the Scientific Method steps to complete an experiment on various brands of soap to determine their floating capabilities. In this scientific method lesson, students write a hypothesis about the ability of various soap bars...
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Thornton Wilder's Our Town: The Reader as Writer

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students read a play and create their own play using Thornton Wilder's Our Townas a resource. In this play lesson, students analyze how theatrical elements contribute to a play's meanings and effects. Students recognize differences...
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Trustworthy Reputation

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore the character trait of reputation. In this character education instructional activity, 7th graders focus on their personal reputation as they discuss positive character traits and reflect on character quotations...
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I Like Me

For Teachers 1st
First graders read the book "I Like Me" and then design a collage showcasing different things they like about themselves. They write in journals to reflect on this lesson.
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Holocaust Literature Circle Discussion

For Teachers 7th
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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John Muir Nature Journal

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explain how John Muir carefully and quietly observed nature and record his observations in his journal with writings and drawings. Students create their own nature observation journal.