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Heading West
Students study the concept of the westward expansion. In this exploration of the western U.S. lesson, students participate in different activities that explain economic hardships, jobs, and land opportunities. Students describe...
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Electing a president
Students create a list of characteristics of a president and reach consensus about the most important qualities. In this electing a President lesson, students work in groups to choose the most important traits of a president and...
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What's the Story?
Students explore how the same news story can be presented differently through various journalistic styles. They discuss the unique characteristics of each style and find articles on the same event in each of the different styles.
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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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The Elf Project
Sixth graders create elves in order to respond to Santa letters from first graders.
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Real-Life History
Learners collect artifacts which are part of their family/community history. They gather at home and share in the classroom at a specified time when extra care and supervision might be provided.
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Making 'Friends'
Learners read "Fans Gear Up to Say Goodbye to 'Friends'" from The New York Times and discuss the elements of the sitcom 'Friends' that made it such a success. After brainstorming reasons for 'Friends' popularity, students work in groups...
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CD-ROManticism and Computer Classicism
Students assess the many benefits and drawbacks of reproducing works of art, such as sculpture and paintings, on CD-ROMs and on the Internet, as well as explore art history via these computer technologies.
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Mouse Call
Students examine how high-tech consultants use patience and experience to solve the problems facing the 'computer illiterate.' students brainstorm about possible problems that may arise for a computer illiterate person.
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Literature: Isabel Allende
Students watch and respond to a Bill Moyers Now video on the Chilean author, Isabel Allende. They brainstorm a list of recent events that might inspire writers and choose one to write about in poetic, diary, or short story form.
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The Writing Process
Young scholars engage in the various steps involved in the writing process. The lesson plan is written as a guide for the teacher to write more in depth lesson plans for specific activities. This is a good model plan to follow.
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Making the Right Choice
Students, after discussing and brainstorming a variety of character traits, prepare to incorporate the traits into their own lives. They create, design and present an Interactive PowerPoint presentation with problem solving skills and...
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Bullying
Fourth graders define the role of a bully, then participate in skits with bullying situations. For this health and safety lesson, the teacher introduces the idea of bullying with the book Enemy Pie. Then students create a double bubble...
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Seems Like a Million Bucks
Students explore philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students read Sam and the Lucky Moon, identify the elements of the story, and examine the benefits and costs of giving.
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Taiwan on Shaky Ground
Students, in groups, examine how various elements of Taiwan's infrastructure were affected in the September 21, 1999 earthquake by analyzing a number of newspaper articles on the quake and its aftermath.
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Rhythm Nation
Students read a New York Times article to help them develop an understanding of the history, development, and social influence of various types of world music through the creation of music museum exhibits.
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Product Persuasion
Students examine various products and analyze the marketing strategies used to entice consumers. They bring in a product they like to use, and using persuasive writing, they write their own advertisements for their products.
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Farm Stories, Animal Webbing, Favorite Farm Animal Graph
Students brainstorm animals they would expect to see on a farm. They save these on a Kidspiration web. Students watch or read a farm story. They discuss the characters. Students vote for their favorite farm animal and crate a graph using...
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Thanksgiving Acrostic Poems
Young scholars watch streaming video, Holiday Facts and Fun: Thanksgiving, define and discuss acrostic poetry, complete circle map using words associated with Thanksgiving, and create acrostic Thanksgiving poems to be typed in Microsoft...
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The Political is Personal
Students examine their own political party affiliations and political beliefs. After reading an article, they discuss how students at Duke define their political philosophies. They brainstorm events, people and experiences that have...
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American Girl, Too
Students discuss the popularity of the American Girl dolls and write a wish-list for a nine-year-old girl. After reading an article, they discover the differences between this doll and barbie. As a class, they brainstorm eras or point...
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Exhibiting Tools of the Trade
Students design 'mini museums' that exhibit both historic and current artifacts and information associated with specific professions. They then display and defend their work in class gallery talks and exhibitions.
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Hangtags and Labels
Students brainstorm the information found on hangtags and labels. They discuss the necessity of hang tags and create a hangtag to advertise or identify themselves. Afterward, they share their tags with their peers and answer discussion...
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Characterization
Students read the book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. For this character traits lesson, students read the book and identify character traits. Students draw pictures of a character from the book and describe the character traits.