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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Big Pumpkin

For Teachers K - 1st
Learners read a story and retell it through role playing. They will read Big Pumpkin, identify the main ideas and important characters, retell the story through dramatic play, and identify their favorite character.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tug of War Exercise

For Teachers K - 6th
Learners hone their acting and imagination by playing tug-o-war with an imaginary rope. Each group works together and pretends to pull the other group over the imaginary line with an imaginary rope. This could be a good improve warm up...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bugs

For Teachers K - 6th
Students explore the wonders of bugs. In this bug lesson, students examine various types of bugs. Students make crafts, sing songs, discuss nutrition, and investigate different types of insects.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Primates

For Teachers K - 6th
Students explore different primates. In this primate lesson, students examine the various primates by engaging in crafts, dramatic play, singing songs, and games. 
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Activity
Curated OER

Apple Orchard Dramatic Play

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Students set up a pretend "apple stand." In this dramatic play lesson, students create an apple stand scene. Students pretend to pick and pay for apples.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Every Puppet Tells a Story

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Young scholars make homemade puppet characters that have faces that tell it all. In this early childhood dramatic play instructional activity, students create stick puppet characters that encourage language and story development,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

On the Mayflower Lesson Plan

For Teachers K
Students create a model of the Mayflower. In this early childhood lesson plan, students engage in dramatic play while reenacting the Pilgrims and the Mayflower. Students listen as the instructor reads On the Mayflower by Kate Waters.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dramatic Play

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students discuss and examine importance of pretend/dramatic play center that includes variety of activities and props. Students complete study guide, and brainstorm items for mini-bulletin board created for assigned prop box.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hickory Dickory Dock Webquest

For Teachers K
Pupils listen to and read nursery rhymes. They discuss rhyming words. Students play a variety of computer games with rhymes, numbers and telling time. They retell the story through dramatic play, speech, and comprehension questions.
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Professional Doc
Other

Sage Publishing: Play and the Learning Environment

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Play is an important vehicle for developing self-regulation as well as promoting language, cognition, and social competence. This chapter discusses the definition of the physical environment and play, the defining characteristics of...
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Unit Plan
Georgetown University

Georgetown University: Susan Glaspell

For Students 9th - 10th
Have you ever read any of Susan Glaspell's work? This site offers a range of material on the work "Trifles." The materials range from classroom issues and strategies, major themes, historical perspectives, and the personal issues that...
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Website
Other

University of South Florida: Susan Glaspell

For Students 9th - 10th
Come and visit this informative site featuring information on Susan Glaspell. Students and teachers will benefit from this comprehensive resource.
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Activity
Other

Hummingbird Educational Resources: Ladybugs and Insects

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
This is a resource for any teacher looking for some ideas to use to complement a unit on bugs. Scroll down for songs, center ideas, crafts, science discovery, math ideas, dramatic play ideas and much more!
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eBook
University of Virginia

University of Virginia: Trifles by Susan Glaspell

For Students 9th - 10th
Come and explore "Trifles" A Play in One Act by Susan Glaspell at this site from the University of Virginia. This online version of the play is maintained at the Electronic Text Center at the University of Virginia Library.
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Activity
George Eastman Museum

George Eastman House: Discovery Room Tips: Think Like a Filmmaker [Pdf]

For Students 2nd - 7th
Learn about the roles of director, cinematographer, and screenwriter in the filmmaking process. Includes templates for making film-production props--director's bullhorn, cinematographer's storyboards, and a scene clapper--so that you can...
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Article
Scholastic

Scholastic: What Is Dramatic Play and How Does It Support Literacy Development

For Teachers Pre-K - K
This article focuses on a specific kind of play: dramatic play, or, as it's sometimes called, pretend play, imitative play, and symbolic play. Read why this type of play is important and examples of how to incorporate it into your...
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Article
Other

Early Childhood News: How Dramatic Play Can Enhance Learning

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Dramatic play allows children to develop skills in such areas as abstract thinking, literacy, math, and social studies. In order to derive the full benefits from dramatic play as it relates to learning, early educators should "set the...
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Article
Other

Learners Edge: Play in the Classroom

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Play is not more important than science, literacy, physics, or math - it IS science, literacy, physics, and math. It is the FOUNDATION for learning. This article touches on the research supporting the importance of incorporating play...
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Professional Doc
Scholastic

Scholastic: How to Promote Creative Thinking

For Teachers Pre-K - K
As teachers, we play an important role in supporting children's ability in art, dramatic expression, and creative responses to problems. Creative power increases a young child's desire to learn and supports intellectual development. This...
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Activity
PBS

Pbs: Play Pretend Post Office (Make a Post Office Lesson Plan)

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Instructions for creating a make-believe post office.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs: Play Pretend Restaurant (Make a Restaurant Lesson Plan)

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
An exercise in role playing centered on restaurants. Work with young learners to list the supplies needed to run a restaurant. Then gather props, create menus with pictures of food items, and take turns role-playing waiters and customers.
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Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Explore Wedding Traditions

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
A lesson plan that gives young children the opportunity to learn about weddings and to experience different wedding traditions. Includes ideas for making props and role-playing wedding ceremonies and celebrations.