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Thanksgiving At Plymouth
First graders engage in a holiday celebration of Thanksgiving. They read a play "Thanksgiving At Plymouth" to give the lesson context. The teacher could incorporate costumes and props for a holiday production. After the play they can...
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The Underground Railroad
Students discuss how slaves fought against their situation and how did they escape. They discover what the Underground Railroad was and how it slaves used it to reach freedom. They then play a game focusing on the Underground Railroad in...
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Picturing Hemingway: A Writer in His Time
Students analyze portraits of Ernest Hemingway to see how his private and public personalities are revealed through them. In this "Picturing Hemingway" lesson, students complete a variety of activities to investigate public and private...
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The Immigrant Experience: Down the Rabbit Hole
Students relate the immigrant experience to Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. In this immigration experience lesson, students read Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and relate it to the immigrant experience...
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Heaven or Ground Hog Day?
Students discover the ideas of enlightenment by reading historical poetry. In this philosophical lesson, students read poems by Sir Walter Scott and Sergeant Joyce Kilmer while discussing the themes of the writing with classmates....
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Abraham Lincoln and the Five-Dollar Note
Students study Presidential history by researching Abraham Lincoln. In this U.S. history lesson, students discuss the changes in the 5 dollar bill and create a timeline of Abraham Lincoln's life. Students complete a puzzle...
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Religion and the Environment
Students consider the role of environmentalists in the United States. For this political issues lesson, students compare and contrast the evangelical vote in the U.S. with the liberal vote as they read selected articles and watch Moyers...
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Reading on the Farm
Second graders study farm life. In this writing activity, 2nd graders listen to "Pigaroo" and write their own story about farm life.
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Impacting Indiana
Fourth graders become familiar with the culture and history of Indiana. In this James Whitcomb Riley lesson, 4th graders read poetry which includes the dialect of Indiana. Students analyze the poem. Groups memorize and...
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What Makes a General?
High schoolers explore the duties of commander-in-chief. In this George Washington lesson, students research Revolutionary War military leaders and examine the relationships they had with George Washington.
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What Do Halloween Costumes Say?
Students analyze Halloween costumes they find in magazines to categorize their findings. In this holiday lesson, students discuss their findings about the costumes based on four different elements.
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Deep Roots of Ancient Greece
Students investigate Greek contributions to modern America. For this ancient Greek influence lesson, students watch videos, listen to lectures, and conduct research regarding ancient Greek ideals in order to analyze and trace Greek...
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The Nature of the Antagonist
Students explain the differences between protagonists and antagonists and recognize the fundamental purpose of an antagonist or villain in storytelling. They also explain conflict as used in literature.
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Daily Actings
Students view clips of Anna Deavere Smith's work. They interview people on video or audiotape to learn their lines, dialect, and syntax to assist them in theater. They create a play which emulates the people in which they interviewed.
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Marty and Me
Students read 'Marty and Me' by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. They compare their lives with Marty's life, which in most cases, is very different. They find similarities and differences and create a montage. They include information about...
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Glencoe Literature Themes: Legends
Students prepare for and respond to literature selections. This package includes five lessons from the Glencoe Literature series, each covering a different reading selection. Pre-reading and response activities are included for each...
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Jackie Robinson, Civil Rights Activist
Students analyze the life of Jackie Robinson and determine which characteristics contributed to his success as the baseball player who broke the color barrier and as a political activist.
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Harriet The Spy
Fourth graders investigate the style of diary writing as its own genre of literature. They read Harriet The Spy in order to have a text for this literature study. Students use the skill of prediction to preview the story, and then...
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Out of the Dust
Seventh graders read a book of poems called "Out of the Dust". In groups, they research the Dust Bowl and how it affected people living through the Great Depression. Using the text, they identify the theme and key turning points and...
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Mary, Queen of Scots: Heroine or Harlot?
Students explain how international politics, religion, and cultural beliefs influenced the life of Mary Queen of Scots. They watch a film about Mary, Queen of Scots and participate in a discussion and variety of extension activities.
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Comparing Monkey Story with Wizard of Oz
Students compare and contrast the characters in the Monkey stories with the Wizard of Oz story.
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Symbol Beneath the Surface in "The Life You Save May Be Your Own"
Students identify the value of symbols in shorts stories and analyze Flannery O'Connor's use of symbolism. In this symbolism instructional activity, students complete a worksheet about symbols for cars. Students answer...
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Afghanistan and The Breadwinner
Young scholars examine the use of the Hindu Kush mountains by explorers and traders. Using Afghanistan as an example, they research how different events can effect human settlerment patterns. They discuss how the physical...
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Developing Open-Ended Questions
Learners work in groups of two to develop questions and sample answers that are relevant, accurate and use higher level of thinking skills about a literary unit. Students present their questions and answers to the class as a review of...