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A Study Guide for The Phantom of the Opera
Immerse yourself in the beautiful, twisted world of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera. A detailed lesson plan provides important details about the writing, stagecraft, music, and literary elements of the famous musical,...
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6 C's of Motivation
Students get involved in a Project-Based Learning instructional design model as they enter a problem-solving learning journey. They get to personalize their learning experience from the beginning by making choices. Students set up and...
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Creating a Found Poem
Teach your English learners about theme through this found poem project. Class members read two versions of O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi": the original version and a synopsis. After learning about themes and connecting theme to their...
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Animation Pre-Production
Does your class love reading cartoons? Use their talents and interests to examine the process of writing a story they wish to tell through a cartoon. They develop the beginning, middle, and end of a story based on their original...
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The Iditarod Adventure
Learners use the internet to follow the Alaskan Iditarod race as well as perform research. This project-based activity will result in students creating many desktop publishing documents.
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Tackling Hunger on "Souper Bowl" Sunday
Students envelop basic plans, in small groups, for fundraising projects that they could actually organize and execute.
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Outreach in the Aftermath
Young scholars investigate types of aid needed to help Turkey recover and rebuild in the wake of a devastating earthquake on August 17, 1999. They create a plan for a fundraiser or project that they can do to offer assistance to victims...
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All Aboard the Innovation Train
Young scholars read "Next Stop for the Subway, a Fully Automated Future" from The New York Times and consider the effect of technology on their town or city. After discussing arguments for and against the new computer-based subway...
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Swimming Pool Mural
Learners research art analysis by creating a mural in their class. In this artistic expression lesson, students research the work of Keith Haring and discuss his personal style and how it reflected body movement. Learners utilize...
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The Jury's Still Out
Learners examine the trials and executions of Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti. In groups, they use the internet to research the impact of the executions in the shape of political cartoons and writings. They discuss an article to...
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From Page to Screen
Students consider how xerographic photocopy machines and scanners operate. They discuss and practice using scanners, and brainstorm strategies to increase the efficiency of Google's scanning project.
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Leadership
Learning about leadership, and different styles can be an important step toward understanding government and local organizations. By participating in a survey to evaluate leadership styles, involving 60 questions, learners get a better...
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Journalism Career Pathway Unit
Students explore a career in journalism while using various forms of technology; such as, distance learning via the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) and the Internet. They have the opportunity to create a final project that is based...
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Geometry Shapes Playground Safety
Students create a new playground design to present to elementary students during Playground safety week. They review basic geometry to use in observing and recording the equipment on a local playground. They research playground safety...
For the Teachers
Fact vs. Opinion
Many informational texts are written as factual, but can your learners determine when an opinion is presented as fact? Have your kids read several articles on the same topic and record the statements that contain either facts or...
MENSA Education & Research Foundation
Quotation Station: Using Quotes in the Classroom
An informative list compiled with quotes, authors, and discussion questions, along with 20 out-of-the-box application ideas, make up the collection of lessons geared to spark dialogue and creative thinking about quotations.
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Lets Get the Story Out There
Students design their own service learning project based on a survey given to the community. They examine the data they collect and interview directors of foundations in their area. They write a paper about which foundation they have...
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All About Aid
Begin this lesson by estimating the cost of a college education and comparing it to actual data. After reading an article, high school seniors discuss the processes of the college loan corporations. They listen to a lecture about how to...
The New York Times
Big Brother vs. Little Brother: Updating Orwell's 1984
Government surveillance is an enduring conflict that has become increasingly complex with our nation's use of technology. Add to the understanding of Orwell’s 1984 by using the resources here that display the contemporary actions of Big...
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Photo-Based Reading Projects
Students practice using a digital camera and identify the various parts. As a class, they review recent vocabulary and signs used in their community. In groups, they take pictures of various items and write complete sentences describing...
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Navigation
Students explain that globes are the best way to show positions of places, but flat maps are portable and can show great detail. They make a mercator projection of the route Lewis and Clark took on their journey.
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Developing Story Ideas
Students complete activities to learn how to develop story ideas in journalistic writing. In this story ideas instructional activity, students learn news value judging criteria, identify language to ask beat sources for story ideas,...
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Design a Book Cover
Students explore character, plot, setting, symbolism, and conflict for a book that they are reading. Sample book covers are provided and students apply what they have learned by designing a book cover.
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Improve the Lives of the Homeless in New Orleans
Students develop a business plan to address the issue of homelessness. In this "Homeless in New Orleans" lesson, students learn how to develop a business plan, interview homeless people, brainstorm ideas and present their final plan to...