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What's the Hold-Up?
Students explore the current plan by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to retain underperforming third graders in public schools. They research and debate social promotion versus retention.
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Gun Safety
Students gather data about guns, and examine the resulting treatment and death from bad decisions and guns. They author an original newspaper with information on "Gun Safety."
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Changing the World: Social Entrepreneurs Part Two
Students explore the work of social entrepreneurs. In this entrepreneurship activity, students research a specific entrepreneur and create a presentation introducing him or her to the class. Students design a seminar on social...
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Things Aren't Always What They Seem
Students use video and the Internet to make predictions, draw conclusions, determine conflict and point of view while reading a short story. In this short story analysis lesson plan, students watch a related video and complete a...
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Westward Ho: The Difficulties of Emigrants Moving West
Learners research the journey west of 19th century emigrants. In this pioneer lesson, students read the letters and diaries of a fictitious family traveling on the Oregon Trail. They mark their route on a US map, create a chart showing...
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Poetry Movies
Students research, analyze, and describe a poem using the Internet and a variety of technology applications in this Language Arts lesson for the High School classroom. Emphasis is placed on the creation of a Keynote or PowerPoint...
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Francophone Tourism Package
Students research and write a report about a French-speaking country and present their research to classmates. They create a persuasive advertising brochure promoting one specific country as the best tourist destination.
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The Life and Times of Tomie dePaola
First graders research information about the author Tomie dePaola. In this author studies lesson, 1st graders use the computer to find information about Tomie dePaola's life and writing accomplishments. Students create booklet about the...
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She's All Over the Map
Students consider female authors and their literature. Working in partnerships, they research and map the life and work of a Nobel Prize-winning female author of their choice. Students write individual letters expressing their thoughts...
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Evaluating Sources
Young scholars conduct research and evaluate the sources they find. They identify various sources from their research. They employ technology resources to improve problem solving and decision making skills.
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Spanish Artists in Powerpoint
Young scholars select a Spanish author, architect, or painter to research. After composing a rough draft for teacher review, the give Powerpoint presentations to the class. Students answer questions from peers.
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At the Crossroads
Third graders explore where South Africa is and then research details about the country to fully assess the background to the book, "At the Crossroads." They receive a map of Africa and color in the country of South Africa and list five...
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Sharing Their Stories: Native American Literature and Culture in 19th Century America
Learners investigate Native American culture reading and writing about early Native American authors. They listen to an expert to extend their understanding of the culture.
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Powerful Poetry Presenting the Writer's Soul
Students research Langston Hughes poetry for his use of figurative language. In this poetry analysis lesson, students research the life and poetry of Langston Hughes and his use of vivid words. Students complete 23 different...
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Reviewing the Romance
In this reviewing the romance instructional activity, students research the secrets of writing a romance. Students read at least 20 modern romance novels. Students identify the structure around the story, looking at plot and characters...
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Alphabet Soup
Students study language. In this unique alphabets lesson, students read the article by Michael Everson "For the World's A B C's, He Makes 1's and 0's." They discuss the importance of alphabets and work in small groups to create a poster...
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The Photographs of Dorothea Lange
Students research social-documentary photography using Dorothea Lange’s documentary projects. In this photography analysis lesson, students analyze examples of photographs by Dorothea Lange and research one or more of Dorothea...
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The "State" of ABC's
Fifth graders apply the ABC format to write books about various states. They identify important people, places, and events and include title. copyright, and dedication pages. They have items for all letters and createcovers and "about...
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All About Poe
Students use an online database to research the life and words of Edgar Allan Poe. Using the information they collect, they write a newspaper article or obituary about the famous writer. In groups, they work together to develop a radio...
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Picture Perfect
Students work together in groups to research Afghanistan in the 1970s and today. After reading a story about a Peace Corps volunteer, they discuss things they must do in their community they believe are unneccessary. They end the lesson...
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Comparison/Contrast Composer Study
Pupils choose two composers to research and complete a compare and contrast study of them. In this composer research lesson plan, young scholars select two composers to research. Pupils use Internet sources, the library, and music class...
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Picturing a Story: Photo Essay About a Community, Event, or Issue
Students research Dorothea Lange's documentary projects and create their own photo essay about a subject. In this photo essay lesson, students analyze examples of social-documentary photographs of Lange. Students define a social...
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Out of the Dust (High School)
Fourth graders read Hesse's "Out of the Dust". They respond to questions about the novel and write a free-verse poem modeled after the author's.
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A Whale of a Tale
Students read "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" and discuss factual information in the book. They research whales and use information to write a narrative story. They take their stories through the writing process.