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Effects of Water
To prepare for a performance task assessment, class members review the stages of the water cycle and then individuals assume the roles of drops of water for a Reader's Theater exercise. The script, a graphic depicting the water cycle,...
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How We Learn
What's the best way to learn the elements of the periodic table? The inventions of Thomas Edison? Patience? To prepare for the performance task assessment on how people learn, class members share ideas about ways to learn in a variety of...
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Exploring the World
To prepare for the Exploring the World Performance Task, class groups generate a list of places they would like to explore, examine images of seven natural wonders of the world, and consider why these sites are wondrous. A map and images...
Curated OER
Origami
Young scholars investigate Japanese culture by creating origami. In this Asian heritage lesson, students utilize the Internet to view origami tutorials which they use to create birds and other animals. Young scholars discuss what...
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Holidays and Hotels
Students pairs discuss common activities associated with vacations and hotels. In this language arts activity, students complete fill-in-the-blank and matching activities, as well as engage in conversation starters.
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What Are Elements?
Students investigate elements by by defining scientific terms. In this Periodic Table of Elements lesson, students utilize a glass of water, and powdered fruit drink to perform a lab activity demonstrating properties of certain...
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Peer Editing Checklist
A handout to guide peer editors, this checklist delineates common problems with paragraph structure and specific proofreading items to check. It also provides encouragement about the collaborative part of the writing process. Formats...
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Uniform Design
Learners investigate the military by examining their uniforms. In this design lesson plan, students analyze the military uniforms from different locations and time periods. Learners create new ideas for current military uniforms.
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Imagine That! Analyzing Imagery
Poems by O. Henry, Marion Dane Bauer, Monty Roberts, and Langston Hughes provide the text for a study of symbolism, hyperbole, and imagery. Employing the “think-pair-share” strategy learners generate definitions of these terms and locate...
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Objects Pronouns Quiz
The 20 prompts on this quiz assess learners' ability to recognize and use objective pronouns.
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Worksheet 3/7 A Gaggle of Collective Nouns
Encourage your class to identify the correct usage of collective nouns in sentences with this activity. Given three choices, with the collective nouns circled in each possible choice, class members choose the sentence in which the...
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Time Words/Tenses Review
Focus on correct verb usage with your English language learners. There are 42 sentences listed; can your class correct them? The sentences are short, and the major errors are in verb tense.
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Transition Words and Phrases: Road Signs for the Reader
Therefore! However! Furthermore! Explore the power of transition words and phrases. Signal your readers by suggesting the relationship between different thoughts or points. Help them demonstrate an understanding of word relationships.
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Aztec Empire
To set the stage for a study of the Aztec Empire, groups use the provided definition of civilization and generate a list of elements that make up our modern day civilization. The whole class then examines an image of an Aztec city and...
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Poetry
How does poetry differ from other forms of writing? Class members view two writing samples, decide which one is a poem, and then identify the criteria they used to distinguish between the two samples.
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Renewable Energy
Renewable and non-renewable energy sources are the focus of a series of activities that prepare learners for a performance task assessment on energy. Groups identify the various sources of energy and classify these sources as either...
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The Internet
The Internet and how it has changed our lives is the focus of a series of activities that prepares learners for the performance task assessment on the influence of the Internet. Groups also brainstorm devices such as phone and cars that...
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Growth and Expansion of America
Despite the difficulty of travel, the US expanded significantly between the 1800s and the early 1900s. To prepare for a performance task assessment on the rapid expansion of the US in the 1800s, class members engage in a write-pair-share...
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View Through a Telescope
Preparing for an assessment? Here's an activity that will ensure that all class members have the background knowledge they need to demonstrate their skills on a performance task related to the solar system and the tools astronomers use...
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Uncommon Animals
Need to prepare for a performance task assessment on the topic of uncommon animals? Here's an activity that ensures all learners have the knowledge of key terms and concepts to approach the assessment.
ESL Library
ESL Grammar Practice Worksheets: Future Tense
Your class is going to get plenty of practice with these future tense worksheets, but will they enjoy themselves? You will have to find out! Learners practice using going to and will in various exercises, practicing with each type of the...
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Thinking About the Environment: Where Are Our Forests?
Students investigate our lack of forests by examining population. In this deforestation lesson plan, students research a list of the continents, their populations, and remaining forest area. Students discuss why forests are...
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Vocabulary Charades
Students explore new vocabulary words by participating in a group activity. In this vocabulary role-playing lesson, students collaborate in groups to play a game of charades with new vocabulary words. Students are given points based on...
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Dear Fifth Grader
Students write a friendly letter to 5th graders welcoming incoming students. In this writing lesson, students identify the five parts of a friendly letter, write a friendly letter to a current 5th grader, and perform a peer review and...