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Conflict Resolution
A thought-provoking language arts activity prompts learners to respond to seven questions that deal with sociology. Additionally, they consider topics regarding animal rights. Sure to spark some engaging conversations in your class!
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Thoughts to the President
Students write a persuassive paragraph to the President stating their opinion on a topic. To do this, they start the message with a topic sentence such as "War is _____." The blank should contain a word or phrase expressing the student's...
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The Art of Persuasion - Persuading the Audience
Students write an essay or letter that gives three or more specific reasons to persuade the audience.
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Finding Your Story: Helping Students Begin Their Memoir
Students write their memoir. For this memoir lesson, students study the differences between an autobiography and a memoir. Students construct an outline as the basis for their memoir.
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Getting Your "Hands-On" a Great Outline
Students write with controlled and/or subtle organization. They learn three ways to arrange a formal outline. Students demonstrate this knowledge by creating an outline as class. They cover the concepts of anticipation, investigation,...
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Writing Police Reports
Learners discover police procedures by filling out crime reports. In this government activity, students discuss the benefits of historical reports pertaining to criminals and victims. Learners listen to an officer of the law speak in...
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Thesis Structure
Use this lesson to reinforce the importance of a strong thesis statement. After viewing samples, middle schoolers identify the three parts to a thesis. Additionally, they create their own thesis including and labeling the three parts and...
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Directed and Undirected Free-writing: An Activity in Brainstorming
Start the flow of writing with music! Help learners free-write and brainstorm by playing various selections of music. After each selection, scholars talk about the theme and mood and then practice free-writing on their own. Lighten up on...
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Rosa Parks: Mother of Civil Rights Movement
Students read an article from Time and react to the article based upon what they have studied about Rosa Parks. They find that even though Rosa is no longer alive, she still has an impact today. They focus on that impact she has and...
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Sandwich Chart
Students fill in the blanks on a writing worksheet to create ideas for a five paragraph essay. Each blank needs to be filled in to create a "sandwich" essay which includes a topic sentence, the paragraphs with supporting details and a...
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Power of Persuasion
Teaching students about persuasion can be a fun experience that involves writing, PowerPoint presentations, and vocabulary building.
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Argumentation and Logic
Students recognize inductive and deductive reasoning and analyze common fallacies in critical thinking. In this argumentation and logic instructional activity, students use role playing activities and specific instances of inductive and...
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Spirit Bear Speaks
Students read an online article about Canadian efforts to preserve Great Bear Rain Forest. They create ecotourism brochures on the forest and write and essay.
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Ag in My Classroom
Students explore the definition of agriculture. In this Language Arts and Social Studies lesson plan, students read an article on products that are produced in agriculture, then they complete a vocabulary assignment and write an essay...
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African Americans in Aviation: The 1940s- A Decade of Change
Students investigate African Americans in aviation. In this primary resources lesson, students examine primary resources to research the history of African American in aviation. Students answer two research questions and write an essay...
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It's A Dog-Eat-Dog World
Students examine the dangers of owning and breeding aggressive dogs. They debate whether aggressive dogs should be kept as pets. They write an essay from their point of view about aggressive dogs as pets.
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Photo Essay Semester Project
Students reinforce research and organizational skills with this project. They create a photo essay and conduct an interview with a person associated with their chosen topic. Pupils may choose to get their pictures from a digital camera,...
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Natural Inquirer Lesson Plan - Bio Energy Edition
Students investigate energy use by discussing the pros and cons of oil use. In this energy source lesson, students portray different individuals in the fictional town of Heatville and argue why they should or should not switch from oil...
Thomas Jefferson Foundation
Personal Morals vs. Political Moves
Was Thomas Jefferson a hypocrite? That is the question facing class members as they examine excerpts from documents that relate to Jefferson's beliefs about slaves and slavery.
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Focusing with Anticipation Guides
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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Identifying the Social and Cultural Context of a Period - The New Negro and the Harlem Renaissance
Students explore the social and cultural context of the Harlem Renaissance. Students take notes on post-it notes while watching videos about the Harlem Renaissance. Students define words used to describe African Americans during the...
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Character Ambassadors
Students act as ambassadors. In this character education lesson, students take on the roles of ambassadors of the character traits listed. Students write essays regarding the character traits they select.
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Philadelphia Museum of Art
Pupils study paintings and use their knowledge of story elements to analyze the art. In this art analysis lesson, students review a novel for its elements. Pupils study the image At the Moulin Rouge: The Dance and discuss the story...
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Recognizing that One Text Can Generate Multiple Interpretations - The Double V
Students research African American involvement in World War II and the Double V campaign. For this African American history lesson, students review Jim Crow and watch a related video. Students complete the Double V image graphic...