Penguin Books
An Educator's Guide to The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Jack the Ripper terrorized London in the late 1800s. An educator's guide for the novel The Name of the Star places the historical figure in a modern context. Readers complete a pre-reading activity before answering a series of discussion...
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Primary History Children of Victorian Britain Extension Activity - Children at Work
What a great way to have your class learn about the lives of children in Victorian England. Learners sharpen their research skills as they study the history of children who worked in England. They choose extension projects to complete.
Planet e-Book
David Copperfield
Don't let the length scare you away. An eBook version of David Copperfield contains all 1,307 pages of the story. This digital version of the classic coming-of-age novel follows the title character from childhood into adulthood, giving...
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INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Tenth graders identify causes and effects of the Industrial Revolution, analyze the benefits and negative consequences, describe the operation of British government, and identify British social and political reforms resulting from the...
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The Emerging American Identity
High schoolers define what it meant to be an American early on in the nation's history. In this American identity lesson, students examine the noted quotations and determine what was meant by each of the authors with regards to an...
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Poet Naomi Shihab Nye
Students read and analyze poetry by Naomi Shihab Nye. They define stereotypes, view and discuss a video interview with Nye, present an oral reading of a poem, and write a persuasive letter to an author.
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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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"What is an American?"
Eleventh graders ponder about what it means to be an "American." They discuss the impact of an author's word choice and sentence structure on text. They identify some major themes and development of the Letters... Compose paragraphs and...
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A Piecemeal Peace Process
Students explore Indian and Pakistani steps toward peace since the Indian subcontinent gained independence from British rule in 1947. They, in groups, research and then create multi-tiered timelines representing politics during those...
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Causes of the American Revolution
Students recognize the taxation of the American colonists by the British led to the revolution. They participate in or analyze a performance of an 18th-century song and then discuss its meaning and craft.
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An Interview with South Carolina Revolutionary Heroes
Young scholars create mock interviews with revolutionary heroes. For this U.S. history lesson, students select a U.S. revolutionary war hero or British general, research their biographical information and the battles they participated...
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Breaching the Gulf Between Cultures
Learners study the dynamics, the challenges, and the rewards of adjusting to a new culture, as illustrated by the author's account of his father's coming to terms with Sri Lankan customs. They reach the enduring understanding, "It is...
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Non-British Surnames
Young scholars investigate some of the common characteristics of surnames around the world. They also examine some of the unique characteristics of surnames in different countries. The lesson finds its context with the help of guiding...
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The Mayflower Compact
Fourth graders explore the events leading up to the Mayflower Compact. In this government instructional activity, 4th graders have a teacher-led class discussion on the importance of government, then complete a worksheet on the topic.
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Why were the colonists upset about the Stamp Act?
Fifth graders read documents to address why colonists were upset about the Stamp Act. In this sourcing and contextualization lesson, 5th graders read a variety of documents from the American Revolution and predict the author's...
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The Colonial Legacy of Sierra Leone (W. Africa)
Students investigate an in-depth study of civil strife in a former British colony fueled by 'conflict' diamonds. They examine how the violence and civil strife rampant in a particular West African nation has a lot to do with its colonial...
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Wherefore Art Thou, Art?
Students analyze various perspectives on the controversial "Sensation: Young British Artists From the Saatchi Collection" art exhibit on display at the Brooklyn Museum of Art.
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The American Revolution: Causes
Students investigate taxation of the American colonist by the British which led to the revolution. In this American Revolution lesson plan, students analyze a poem called Revolution Tea, and then work in small groups to present an oral...
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No Taxation Without Representation
Pupils consider colonial rights. In this Bill of Rights lesson, students complete an activity guide that requires pupils to analyze taxation without representation. Students respond to discussion questions pertaining to taxes imposed by...
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Using Effective, Amusing Writing As a Model
Learners use the author's writing as a model to achieve vivid description and engaging humor in compositions of their own. They examine the ways a writer can capture and hold a reader's attention and write a short personal narrative...
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Lord of the Flies: Chapter 10 Reading and Study Guide
In this comprehension check worksheet, students define 5 vocabulary words, define 5 literary terms, and respond to 11 short answer questions pertaining to chapter 10 of The Lord of the Flies in order to help them better understand the...
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Beowulf Lesson Plan
Learners analyze the text of Beowulf. In this epic poetry lesson, students explore the themes and imagery in the text to evaluate their meaning. Learners analyze the Old English language and examine the cultural and historical context of...
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To Come to Illinois - Or Not?
Students analyze primary documents to determine whether the author is pro- or anti-emigration. They outline reasons for or against immigration to Illinois during the early 19th century.
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Smoking and Smoking Bans
Students examine the health issues associated with smoking and discuss smoking bans. They study the associated vocabulary, take a quiz, and discuss the issue of smoking bans. They read newspapers articles written by different people...