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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bringing Facts Into Science Fiction

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students develop a setting, plot and characters for a science fiction story based on current news themes, and then individually write drafts of the story.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Assignment # 1: Merry-Go-Round Story

For Teachers 9th
Class members use e-mail and the merry-go-round story format to create a science fiction story. Each writer begins by selecting one of three prompts, crafting the introductory paragraph and sending the paragraph to the next person on the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Fact or Fiction?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Read and discuss the article "Welcome to Cicadaville (Enter at Your Own Risk)" to gain a better understanding around the confusion regarding cicadas and locust swarms. In groups your young analysts research statements about animals to...
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Lesson Plan
Penguin Books

An Educator's Guide to Matched by Ally Condie

For Teachers 7th - 10th Standards
Even supposed Utopian societies have their flaws. Using an educator's guide, individuals explore the society Ally Condie creates in Matched. Reflective writing prompts double as discussion questions and cover key themes in the novel, as...
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Lessons Using the Science Fiction Genre

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students can practice "The Lost Art of Imagination" when they delve into the science fiction genre.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Under the Sea

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students imagine and describe fictitious sea animals that might live in the ocean. After reading an article, they reflect on new discoveries found in the ocean recently. Using the internet, they research the interdependence of animals...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Aliens- Science Fiction Writing Assignment

For Students 3rd - 4th
For this science fiction writing worksheet, students examine an example of writing about an alien from another planet. They complete a homework assignment in which they draw and write about an alien and its planet. They present the work...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

E.T., Are You Out There?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Research the necessary components of a planet that supports life after reading the article "All of a Sudden, The Neighborhood Looks a Lot Friendlier" from The New York Times. After finding their information, middle and high schoolers...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Memory Invention

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Young writers edit their writing to make sure it shows good meaning and clarity. In this writing lesson, young scholars are given a variety of "What If?" scenarios to choose from as writing prompts. A class discussion ensues, which...
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Activity
Listening Library

The Sign of the Beaver

For Teachers 4th - 7th Standards
Extend a class reading of the novel The Sign of the Beaver across all subject areas with this literature unit guide. From basic discussion questions and writing prompts, to a research project about tracking animals, this resource offers...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kid Lit Crit

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore different types of student literature; they then write their own fiction pieces, in either fantasy/adventure or memoir/realism style.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unwind: Anticipation Guide

For Teachers 7th - 10th
After responding to a series of prompts on an anticipation guide, readers of Unwind craft five predictions about what will happen in Neal Shusterman's young adult science fiction novel.    
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Back to the Future

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the benefits of new technology for the home and its possible drawbacks.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Warm Thoughts About the Cold

For Teachers 6th - 11th
“What do you think life is like at the South Pole?” After responding to this journal prompt, class members read and discuss the New York Times article, “At South Pole, New Home for a New Era.” Using resources available from the Times’...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Penny For Your Thoughts: Cross-Curricular Journal Writing

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students are introduced to the importance of journal writing. After creating their own journal, they write their thoughts and feelings about different subjects. If they choose to they can share their writings with the class to end the...
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Lesson Plan
Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment

Concept Muraling

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Concept muraling helps learners improve their comprehension of a text by giving them a way to organize their understanding of the key concepts in that text. Introduce readers to this process with a carefully scaffolded lesson that models...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water in Our Lives: Be the Bug

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine a local water supply and create a fictional invertebrate specifically adapted to thrive in that environment. They write a short story from the invertebrate's point of view.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Primate Primer

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the different branches of the primate family tree. They create fact cards about various species of non-human primates and then write fictional skits about interactions among the different primates.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Year of the Rabbit

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Pupils explore a portion of the Chinese Zodiac with projects centered around the year of the rabbit. Students research types of rabbits, actual and fictional. Working in groups, they create a written or multimedia presentation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Adventurers - Animal Research Reports

For Teachers 1st
First graders research different animals and create reports based on their research. In this animals lesson plan, 1st graders use graphic organizers, worksheets, quizzes, the library, internet, and more. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Julie of the Wolves"

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research life in Alaska and compare life there to their lives in this lesson. They read "Julie of the Wolves." They research through the novel and other reference books facts about the Alaskan climate and geography. They...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Buckshot Stops Here

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study the incident between Vice President Dick Cheney and his friend while hunting. They brainstorm and research different scandals throughout History and complete a homework assignment.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Mr. Betts and Mr. Potts"

For Teachers 1st
First graders listen to the book "Mr. Betts and Mr. Potts" and examine the career of being a veterinarian. They categorize animals based on whether they could be house pets or not, develop a class pet graph, and list the various...