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Lesson 3: Proving Facts and Forming Opinions
Time for Kids: Butterflies is used to model the process of determining if a text is based on fact or opinion. Children are taught how to skim for key words, and use headings or chapter names to locate proof of whether or not what they...
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Creature Feature Poetry Keyword Search!
Students examine the differences between fact and opinion, and brainstorm ideas for a keyword list by analyzing facts. They listen to poems, and create posters listing three keywords about each creature featured in the poetry.
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In My Opinion
Young writers craft letters to the government stating their opinion on different topics. They pick an environmental or ocean issue, research it, and craft their formal persuasive letter. Ensure your learners include supporting facts and...
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The Eye of the Beholder: A Media Literacy Activity
Students explore the impact the news media have on shaping perceptions and opinions in general and in their coverage of the presidential campaign.
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The Vikings
Young scholars research and explore Viking culture, distinguishing between fact and fiction, and examine their contribution to our society.
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What Is the Nature of Science?
Students distinguish between scientific and everyday meanings of key words-theory, hypothesis, law, fact-and use in context. They recognize the variables that affect observation, data collection, and interpretation. They discover the...
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Is that a Fact? Reading the Newspaper
Fourth graders are given a newspaper article. They predict the content based on the title, read and chart fact and opinion statements, and conclude by summarizing the article. They utilize a worksheet imbedded in this plan to guide their...
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Convey Ideas in Writing
Use the platforms of the 2004 presidential candidates to bring persuasive writing to your class. Young voters identify the three issues most important to them in the election and research the issues and candidates' positions. They write...
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Getting to Know the Candidates: Analyzing Their Campaign Ads
Students examine the role of advertising in presidential campaigns. They analyze one candidate's advertising campaign ads for elements such as major issues, positivity, negativity, facts, and opinions.
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Inner Circle/Outer Circle Debate Strategy
Arranged in facing concentric circles, half the class discusses an issue. The other half of the class takes notes which are then used to fuel a class discussion and to prepare editorial opinions on the topic at hand. So much emphasis is...
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Critique Sources
Young scholars distinguish between primary and secondary sources. They study about fact, opinion, and recognize bias. Students find out if information is accurate or not and report on it. For the final project young scholars create an...
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The Great Chicago Fire: Did Mrs. O'Leary's Cow Really Cause It?
Students research the Great Chicago Fire and its myths on how it started. They use their critical thinking skills to determine what really happened. They write an essay supporting their opinion on the fire.
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Junk Mail Overload!
Students discuss the "junk mail nuisance" with the teacher and share their opinions on the problem. Students collect a week's worth of junk mail, bring to class and complete a chart about the amount and weight. Students then complete an...
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To Vote or Not To Vote
Ninth graders discuss if it was worth some groups fighting for the right to vote. In groups, they participate in a debate in which they discuss whether the right to vote is a responsiblity by its members. They create their own piece of...
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The Solar System
Students research origin of solar system, discuss theories they have found, and create paper mache solar system models.
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Carter as President and Ex-President
Students examine how Presidents are judged during their time in office as well as afterwards. They conduct and Internet search for Jimmy Carter's inaugural address and write a news story about his address. Once they have written an...
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Reporting Live from the Twentieth Century
Students create a news story on one of the top 100 news stories of the 20th century.choose one past news event. They write a news story about that event, and provide a continuation of the story based on their research.
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Maize to Maquiladoras: Movement from Mexico to Arizona
Fourth graders label maps of Arizona and Mexico to show the people, goods, and ideas that have moved between the two places. In this Arizona and Mexico lesson plan, 4th graders summarize the effects of the movement on Arizona life.
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Marvelous Manatees
Two groups consider whether or not the Florida manatee will become extinct during their lifetimes. They research manatee populations and statistics together and then a class debate is held. Afterwards they consider how reliable their...
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Graph It with Coffee!
Students interview employers and employees at local coffee shops about sales and profits and create graphs comparing and contrasting information obtained about the businesses.
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Jackie Robinson and Civil Rights
Students complete a worksheet and study key vocabulary while researching the biography of Jackie Robinson and the Civil Rights Movement. They chose another Civil Rights leader to investigate and present to the rest of the class before...
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Health and Food Safety
Students discuss ways to keep healthy, and examine factors that influence health, including media. They then participate in mock public meeting on genetically modified foods in order to explore importance of governmental decisions in...
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Reporting Live from the 20th Century!
Students read and write newspaper articles. In this newspaper article writing lesson, students collect and share current news articles, examine how they are written, then choose an event from the 20th century and write their own news story.
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Magazine Sales Talks
Students role-play to determine the best types of magazines that should be purchased for their media center. They create a sales presentation for a particular magazine in small groups. As they listen to each presentation they evaluate...