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Book Ads
Students observe book ads from Reading Rainbow and decide on a book to write an ad for. They prepare an ad and produce it using a digital camcorder and software.
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Live from Ancient Olympia!
Young scholars study online resources to examine the ancient Olympic Games and athletes. They investigate the qualities of ancient Olympic athletes and role interviews with the athletes.
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Voting
Students investigate voter participation in the U.S. They watch and discuss a Bill Moyers video, complete a handout, and develop a plan to help a community overcome obstacles to voter participation.
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The Introduction and Diffusion of Household Technology
Students conduct research and develop a matrix demonstrating the introduction and spread of common household items from 1900 to 2000 in the U.S. They conduct Internet research, watch and discuss a video, and develop the matrix.
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The Other Roman Empire
Students interpret their findings from resources and explain each Eastern Roman Emperor's policies. They compare Eastern and Western Roman Empires and explain how the transfer of power from the Western Roman Empire to the Eastern Roman...
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Ancient Greece Podcast
In this writing a podcast lesson plan, 7th graders create a podcast involving Ancient Greece. Learners follow a rubric and outline to create their podcast. Students present their podcast to their fellow learners.
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Keeping It Quiet
Learners consider ways in which countries use censorship to control information. They examine China's recent abridgement of a politician's speech and consider China's recent history with other nations to better explain why censorship is...
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Slanted Sentences
Students examine biased words in news articles, suggest synonyms, then rewrite the sentences to demonstrate how word choice can alter meaning.
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The Great Debate
Young scholars watch tapes of televised presidential debates dating from 1960. They analyze debates and participate in mock debates.
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Heroes and Role Models
Students identify heroes and role models they are familiar with. They write a paper about people they know or celebrities they admire. They research people using the Internet and other research materials.
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You Be the Judge
Students research and evaluate a case considered by the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. They watch a Bill Moyers video, conduct a debate, and write about the decision they would make if they were a...
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James Brown: Life and Times
Students trace James Brown's rise from "Little Junior" in Depression-era Augusta, Georgia, to the "Minister of the New Super Heavy Funk" and create a collage that captures his impact on American music.
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Current Groundwater Contamination Research
Students research the effects of groundwater pollutants on life. They name and describe 1 environmental factor that has an effect on our drinking water. Students read the Water-Groundwater and Pollution Article. They discuss and...
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Journalists Under Fire
Learners examine journalism in extreme conditions. In this war-zone journalism lesson, students research media coverage of Vietnam, Grenada, the Gulf War, and military actions in Somalia and Kosovo. Learners compare coverage in the past...
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Politics of Death
Students examine the topic of euthanasia. In this religion and ethics activity, students investigate the cases of Terri Schiavo and Hugh Finn in order to gain an understanding of the euthanasia controversy.
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Extraordinary Explorers
Middle schoolers, using the Internet, B41460research facts about explorers and travelers. They also state what places they have explored and share with the class.
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Italy
Students read stories about Italy and identify main events and characters. They take an imaginary trip to Italy and write a story about their adventures. In addition, they practice several italian words and phrases.
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Lessons to be Learned: The Importance of Attribution, Accuracy, and Honesty
Students investigate real world examples of media law issues. In this media law instructional activity, students read Janet Cooke’s feature and respond to the writing. Students read articles by Stephen Glass to highlight facts in need of...
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Reflecting On The Past, Looking Towaards The Future
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the formation of a multimedia presentation to create a documentary of a middle school. They take photographs with a digital camera and use computer software to create a school project.
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Judy Garland: By Myself
Middle schoolers investigate Judy Garland's life create a media campaign focusing on the role of drugs and alcohol in her life. Students watch a video and conduct Internet research to find out about Garland's life. Groups write a...
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Vidal's History--And Yours?
High schoolers watch AMERICAN MASTERS: THE EDUCATION OF GORE VIDAL and apply Guided Reading principles to Vidal's writing. They discuss how to think and question in his way and determine for themselves how political writing can shape...
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Media Bias
Students analyze mass media to analyze media bias. For this media bias lesson, students read example situations and definitions about media bias. Students read and discuss how to be aware of media bias.
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Working on the Railroad
Students view and discuss "The Transportation Revolution," a lecture by Peter A. Coclanis. They read and respond creatively to brief descriptions of railroad workers and their job responsibilities.
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Ballad Blast
Learners write epic poems, songs, or ballads to describe adventures of their own. They discover that storytellers often told stories as epic poems, songs, or ballads. They share and discuss some of Homer's Odyssey and Iliad.