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The Lion, the Witch and The Wardrobe: Literature and Theater
Students read and discuss the literary elements of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis. They explore the elements of dramatic performance and create a TV news program based on life in Narnia. They videotape their...
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Proofreading with Peer Editing
A standard peer editing activity, young writers get into groups and pass their papers to each of their peers in turn; each person checking their peer's paper for spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes. In a fun twist, your class...
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Parts of the Plants
Second graders discuss as a class what they know about plants viewing several pictures of plants as well as a tree poster. They work in groups to observe a flowering plant which is removed from a pot with the soil brushed away and is...
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Techniques of Persuasive Presentations - Ebony, the Elephant Calf
Students watch a video to discover subtle forms of persuasion. In this persuasive techniques lesson, students watch a video about elephants as they determine which elements of persuasion were used. They discuss the language of...
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Using Letter Wizard in Word
Young scholars identify the different types of letters. They identify the parts of a letters. Students write a letter using a letter format. They write a letter using the Letter Wizard in Word. Young scholars review Smart Cookie from...
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Language, Communication, and Successful Conflict Resolution
Middle schoolers consider how communication skills may diffuse conflict. In this conflict resolution lesson, students play a word game and discuss how vocabulary may contribute to creating conflict of diffusing it.
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How to Write Your 60 Second Shakespeare Newsletter
Students become playwrights. For this Shakespeare lesson, students paraphrase familiar Shakespearian scenes that they perform for their classmates in 60 seconds.
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A Sure Bet!
Ninth graders analyze Chekhov's "The Bet". They repsond to a journal quesiton and use examples from the novel. In groups, they take on different roles analyzing the novel and then write one of my prompts to complete the lesson.
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Mythology Research Project: Freshmen English
Ninth graders work in pairs and research a mythological figure, focusing on how the myth leads to an understanding of the "human condition." They compile information, summarize the myth, and develop a plan for written and oral reports.
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WH AT' S Y O U R A M B I T I O N?
Students read and analyze an excerpt from Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain. Students use the Six Traits of Writing to compose an essay on a personal life ambition that each students may have. Students use prewriting strategies and...
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Second Grade Pumpkins Note taking Lesson
Second graders read a book. In this note taking lesson plan, 2nd graders read a book about pumpkins and take notes together. Students write a summary about pumpkins using the information from their notes.
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Becoming Bilingual
Students explore the opportunities for bilingual workers. In this bilingual skills lesson, students select a foreign language to research and list ways their languages can be used in a work setting. Students explore career opportunities...
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Breaking News: OMG, LOL, FYI Now in Oxford English Dictionary (26th March, 2011)
Students explore vocabulary by analyzing the current events. In this dictionary addition lesson, students discuss a news topic about word additions into the Oxford Dictionary. Students complete a list of activities about the story...
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Delivering a Persuasive Speech
Students demonstrate the appropriate classroom public speaking and listening skills that would be necessary to influence or change someone's mind or way of thinking about a topic. They define the elements of persuasion and recognize the...
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Let's Go on a Trip
Students learning the English language play a simulation game in which they pretend to travel to another country. They complete several activities starting with "Deciding Where to Go" and working through "Going on the Flight." In each,...
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The Story Project: A Lesson Plan for the Combining Voices Literary Competition
Students analyze Simple Answer, by John Cleaveland, and use this image to inspire a short story. They use both verbal and visual language to help them create the characters and the plot. The lesson plan contains steps that helps the...
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Lost on a Deserted Island
Third graders practice brainstorming with their classmates as they discuss a role-play situation. In this group discussion lesson, 3rd graders must present ideas of ways to survive on a deserted island by discussing with their...
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Teaching Acting Technique and Building a Character Through Cinema
Students review the style techniques related to the American Method Acting and practice using them in groups. Using various scenes from films, they try to recreate the scene using props. In groups, they discover the proper way to get...
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Stacy Bodin's "Digesting a Story" Unit
Second graders create a story and role-play the story using edible items to create a final story-video project. For this edible story lesson, 2nd graders write their own stories using literary format and elements. Students then create a...
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Using a Compass Rose
Second graders explore geography by completing a mapping activity in class. In this directional lesson, 2nd graders examine a map in class and utilize a compass rose to identify their location and destination. Students write directions...
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The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts
Young scholars discuss character development, literary devices, events, and foreshadowing found in, "The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts" by Maxine Hong Kingston. They compare and contrast the main character's actions...
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What is a Philanthropist?
Students discover the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning instructional activity, students define the word philanthropist and create a flip-book based on The Lion and the Mouse.
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Coming of Age Readings: Experiences in Korea and by Asians in America
Bring multi-cultural experiences and literature into your language arts class with this lesson. Here, young readers explore the points of view of first and second-generation Asian immigrants with a list of various fiction and nonfiction...
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Compare Two Versions: Folk Tales, Sequencing, and Summary
Compare two versions of "The Three Little Pigs" (traditional and Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, told from the wolf's point of view). As your 4th graders recount the familiar version of the story, emphasize the...