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A Long Way Home
Young scholars examine the difference between hard news and editorial writing by considering several pieces written about the Elian Gonzalez custody battle. They then craft their own hard news and editorials on the case.
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A Visit to Aunt Louisa's
Fourth graders write a diary entry. In this journaling lesson plan students examine a 1880's primary source document. Students read about a young girl visiting her Aunt in rural Indiana. Students write about what they did in the last day.
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My Brother Sam is Dead: A study of the Revolutionary War
Fifth graders complete an analysis of the Revolutionary War through literature. After "My Brother Sam Is Dead," students create a time capsule containing items that would be relevant during the Revolutionary War. They identify key...
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Writings on a River
Students identify words that can be used to describe Mark Twain's character Tom Sawyer. Students explore stage production of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by reading and discussing "An Older (and Calmer) Tom Sawyer". They develop their...
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Dear Diary
Learners analyze a piece of writing by creating diary entries based on a character. In this reading comprehension instructional activity, students read an assigned book with their classmates and create a sketch of what they believe the...
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The Emerging American Identity
High schoolers define what it meant to be an American early on in the nation's history. In this American identity lesson, students examine the noted quotations and determine what was meant by each of the authors with regards to an...
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Lesson 24: The Great Chicago Fire Survivors
Students, in groups, explore the Great Chicago Fire. They decide which moment from the fire is significant and create a story corner.
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The Great Chicago Fire Survivors
Students examine documents describing the experiences of survivors of the Great Chicago Fire, and write condolence letters.
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Post-Reading Strategies
Students practice post-reading strategies. In this reading comprehension lesson, students review pre-reading strategies, then read a handout entitled "Thirteen Reasons Our Ancestors Migrated." Students complete a post-reading worksheet...
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Who Is Family? Analyzing Family Photos
Students examine families through photography. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students examine photographs of families and discuss the attributes of families. Students select family photographs to analyze in writing.
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Free Reading Project
Students participate in a free reading project to improve their reading skills. In this reading project lesson, students spend 30 minutes reading each day and complete journal entries for the lesson. Students complete a short in-class...
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Women in the Civil War
Students study the Civil War era in the US with a concentration on women during this time through literature and biographies. They create a timeline or multimedia presentation as one product of this series of lessons.
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Cancer: A Crisis of the Cells
Students analyze cancer data represented in graphs and charts. They describe the changes in cell structure and function as the result of cancer. They also examine phenomenas that are believed to cause cancer.
Orange County Department of Education
Dear Mr. Henshaw
Fifth graders read Dear Mr. Henshaw and identify the character trait of self-respect as exhibited by Leigh throughout the story. They evaluate the author's use of letters to tell the story and discuss how the story would be different if...
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As Seen on TV
Sixth graders research how minority groups are represented in media. In this media literacy lesson plan, 6th graders investigate two YouTube clips of Hugo Chavez and discuss different points of view.
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The Social Skill of Communication
Fifth graders explore communication by analyzing manners. For this social skills lesson, 5th graders review the different forms of communication and how to present yourself in a phone conversation, face to face meeting, e-mail, etc....
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Reading Logs - Practice Creates Efficiency
Students examine how to identify the main idea and supporting details of a reading selection. They keep a reading log of what they read each day, reviewing their reading selections with the class.