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Biographical Research Paper
Students choose a subject for a biographical research paper. They use books, the Internet, encyclopedias and articles to gather information on a determined subject then follow a rubric to write a research paper.
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Author, Author!
Third graders, in groups, select and research a favorite studenT author or illustrator. They answer questions about the author, conduct research and prepare a PowerPoint presentation with their findings.
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Writing in Different Viewpoints
Young scholars read and analyze the point of view of a selected classic short story. They take notes while reading the story, select a character, and rewrite the story from a different viewpoint.
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The Thrill of Big-Wave Surfing
Students view a PBS Nature program about big-wave surfing and participate in a class discussion about their experiences with surfing, body boarding, or body surfing. Students create a drawing based on a reading and post their art around...
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School Newspaper
Fifth graders write a website based school newspaper using a variety of literary forms to present the news of the school.
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The Earth Has Many Layers
Young scholars conduct an experiment. In this Earth's layers lesson, students learn about soil, sand and rock. They complete their own Jell-O Mountain and investigate the Earth's layers on-line.
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The Haitian Political Crisis: What Role Should the U.S. Play in Foreign Governments?
Students examine the political situation in Haiti. They share their opinions on the role the United States should play in foreign governments. They identify the causes of the turmoil in the country as well.
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The President's Cabinet: Choosing the Right Person for the Job
Young scholars examine the Federal Confirmation Process for filling cabinet members by completing a confirmation process flow chart. They research the process, and participate in a mock Confirmation Process.
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Tragedy at Sea
Students explore the recent Russian submarine tragedy. They examine the facts related to the vessel's sinking, then research the opinions of others regarding this event. They explore the impact this event has on their world.
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Weave a Web of Words
Fifth graders write a first draft of an oral presentation about the American Revolution and take their work through the writing process.
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Independent - To Be or Not Top Be: Press Conference
Fourth graders deliver an oral presentation on the American war for independence to small groups. They use a rubric to give each other peer feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of their presentation.
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Independent - To Be or Not Top Be: Say It Again, Uncle Sam
Fourth graders revise and edit an oral presentation on the American Revolution based on peer feedback. They refine their oral presentation style and pinpoint areas in need of improvement.
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Social Studies: Native american Tribal Sovereignty
Students examine the issue of tribal sovereignty for Native Americans. Following a mock trial simulation based on the case of Johnson v. McIntosh, they write opinion papers based on the results of the Supreme Court decision in 1823.
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Literature Review
Students review for a literature exam by answering knowledge question, interpretation questions and judgement questions about a novel or story they have just read.
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Exploring the History of Canyon De Chelly: The Navajos
Students are introduced to the novel Sing Down The Moon written by Scott O'Dell. Throughout the book, after each chapter is read, class discussions and journal writing is incorporated into the unit.
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Letters from Lincoln
Fourth graders explore the childhood of Lincoln and pioneer life in early Indiana. Students respond to literature and write a story using historical fiction. Students explore the writings of President Lincoln and the pioneer community...
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Social Studies: Heroes in American Culture
Students examine heroes and discuss their characteristics, values, and actions. They produce Powerpoint presentations on real-life and fictional heroes. Students interview veterans for an oral history project.
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Animal Alphabetizing
Second graders observe a stack of folders, papers, notebooks or other materials that need to be organized. They discuss what the word organize means and then practice alphabetizing books according to first names of students as a class....
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Independent - To Be or Not Top Be - Day 1, Lesson B: To Arms!
Fifth graders explore the verbal and non-verbal parts of an oral presentation.
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How to Write A+ Essays!
This lesson, which promises to improve the essays of your middle schoolers, contains a list of characteristics an essay should include. It breaks it down into the introduction, thesis statement, body, etc. There's also a list of things...
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Turning Literature into News
Students analyze the format and structure of various newspaper articles. Then, they rewrite events from literature into news stories about acts of kindness.
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Dinosaur Designs
Second graders examine facts that can be found in nonfiction books. They listen to a read aloud of Patrick's Dinosaur, with time before the end for student predictions. They make dinosaur t-shirts using facts from the book.
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Drug Testing In Schools - Take A Stand
Students examine facts about drug testing in schools.
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Prospero: Turkey or Tyrant?
Students study characterization and the difference between subjective and objective points of view by creating tableaux to depict three interpretations of the story of Prospero's overthrow, each with a very different point of view. They...