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James Whitcomb Riley
Students describe James Whitcomb Riley's poems and identify the themes they portray. In this poetry lesson plan, students read the history of James Whitcomb Riley and read some of his poems.
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Magical Moments Around the World
Students write magical moments about human compassion and enter the examples on a global, multilingual website. In this global communication instructional activity, students create their own message about human compassion. Students then...
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Readers' Theatre with African and Chinese Folktales
Students investigate genre of folklore, specifically African and Chinese folktales, and script and perform folktales with examples from The Magic Brocade and Fire on the Mountain. Seven lessons on one page.
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Very Hungry Caterpillar
Students read "the Very Hungry Caerpiller" by Eric Carle and create their own caterpillers using the same art techniques found in the book in this excellent early elementary lesson. Included with the lesson is a vocabulary list and a...
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Cryptid Zoo
Students explore cryptids. In this story writing and technology lesson, students define "cryptid," write a short script, and draw an illustration for an imaginary animal character. Students read their script aloud into a microphone and...
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Romeo and Juliet Newspaper
Students design a newspaper after reading the play "Romeo and Juliet." They include an appropriate title, wedding announcement, an advice column, an obituary and classified advertisements.
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"Et tu, Brute?" - The Characters, Conflict and Historical context of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar
Students analyze the Shakespearian play, "Julius Caesar" in this seven lesson unit. Through readings, hands-on projects, and the study of plot development, comparisons are made to the movie and the historical records available.
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Spooky Words
Students create "spooky word" sheets using white construction paper, orange and black paint, eyedroppers, and thin coffee straws. The instructional activity is ideal for a pre-Halloween activity. Finished artwork can be displayed...
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Animal Farm - The Rest of the Story
Students participate in a reader's theater using farm animals in the novella Animal Farm. In this Animal Farm lesson plan, students evaluate interpretations using the text, personal experience, and historical events.
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Current Events Activity
Students investigate world news and create a performance from their research. In this current events lesson plan, students identify major political or news stories in the media and create a performance based on a character they will...
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Going on a Bear Hunt
Students investigate pantomiming by going on a fictitious bear hunt. In this performing arts lesson, students collaborate in groups to sing songs and perform pantomimes based on a hunting trip. Students create their own dance to...
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Artists Giving Back
Students define serial reciprocity through art and make a classroom goal for the giving back. For this serial reciprocity lesson, students read Camille and the Sunflowers and discuss why the arts are important in communities. Students...
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Introduction to Greek Theatre
Students create a tableau for a Greek myth. In this introduction to Greek theatre lesson, students discuss the history of Greek theatre and tableau and complete a handout. Students work in groups to choose a myth and create a tableau...
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Reader's Theater
Conduct a Reader's Theater. Third, fourth, and fifth graders rewrite books with a baseball theme to a Reader's Theater format. They form groups of four or five, practice reading the script, and then perform it for an audience.
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The Freddy the Pig Series
Students read the series of books called The Freddy the Pig Series by Walter R. Brooks and complete activities with them. In this The Freddy the Pig Series lesson plan, students write poetry, create drama, write in journals, do...
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Create a Playbill!
Seventh graders explore the various elements found in the advertisement of a dramatic experience. Playbills are created that reflect the plot without revealing the climax of the play. Costumes, set construction, and character description...
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Puppet Show
Students create a puppet show for a play. They choose the puppet characters they wish to enact the play and develop scenarios.
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Refugees at Center Stage
What is an advocate? Help high schoolers understand the issues forcing refugees to leave their home country. After gaining some information on the subject, high schoolers create a dynamic presentation and persuasive essay encouraging...
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Bill Irwin: All in a Day's Work
Pupils research and examine the various roles needed to put on a major drama production. Using this information, they role play one of these different responsibilities. As a class, they perform a play of their choosing and receive...
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Create a Playbill!
Students examine the variety of elements for a written play and create a playbill. They read about and define literary elements on a worksheet, and participate in a dramatic reading. Each student then creates and publishes a playbill.
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On With the Show: Fifty Years of the Public Theater
Students view video clips from the program NY VOICES: "The Public" at 50, which examines Joseph Papp's passion and commitment to bring theater to diverse communities of New York. They create a playbill highlighting productions for an...
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First Grade, First Grade, What Do You See?
First graders read the book "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see?" by Bill Martin, Jr. and work cooperatively to create an online book about their geographic region. Books can be posted on the internet with other books from around...
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Dateline: 442 BC Antigone
Students create and videotape a newscast about the events that take place in the play, Antigone. They perform scenes describing the main events, the main characters and their conflicts.
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Youth Helping to Elevate Awareness
Eighth graders read a book whose main character has a physical disability, and complete various related activities. They listen to a guest speaker, simulate experiences at school as a disabled individual through the use of wheelchairs,...