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Anticipation Guides Improve Reading Comprehension
Beginning with anticipation guide strategies is a powerful method for improving reading comprehension. First, list initial ideas for a topic the class will be reading about. These ideas are formulated into statements, some of which are...
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How safe is your school bus?
Students research various aspects of school bus safety about what makes a bus safe or unsafe. They check the Internet (with sites below and others) and see what the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has to say.
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State of the Art
Learners watch and discuss a scene from 'Cool Hand Luke,' then read the actor Kevin Costner's commentary on it. Then, each identifies one work of art that he or she loves and prepares a similar commentary on the details of that work's...
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The Inside Dope on Video Games
Students explore the claim that video games that glorify violence and illegal activities also promote such activities in the real world. They choose sides and perform a mock trial on the issue.
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Above the Law: Athletes in Trouble
High schoolers watch segments of "Unforgiveable Blackness" in class. They analyze Jack Johnson's problems with the law and the legal trouble of other athletes today. They create a set of standards they believe athletes should follow.
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We Are the Guardians of the Earth
Students understand their responsibility to the world. In this religion, philanthropy instructional activity, students research the life of Aaron Feuerstein and his views of the responsibility of a person to his world. Students complete...
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Rescue at Sea
Students examine stereotypes that they may have regarding scientists. They read and discuss 'Scientist at Work: High Seas Hunter Pleads for Preservation of Fish' and reflect on the work of a Marine Conservationist.
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The Maccabees and Their Place in Jewish History
Learners assume the role of a journalist employed by time Warner to examine data about the long-lost cave contining the tombs of Maccabees. A two page spread is created for the weekend edition of the magazine.
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Right Place, Right Time
Fourth graders complete mathematical word problems. They study the relationships among distance, speed, and time; and measure travel distances. They measure distances using a piece of string and a ruler and practice converting several...
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Amidst the Rubble of Ruined Cities
Learners, in committees, develop and propose solutions to rebuild various elements of Colombia's infrastructure in the wake of the January 25, 1999 earthquake, as well as compare and contrast the earthquake's affects on Colombia to an...
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Does "Memorial" Serve Correctly?
Students evaluate the eight finalists for the World Trade Center memorial based on criteria generated in class and consider the notion of commemorating tragedy less than three years after the event.
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The Making of a Star
Students create schematic diagrams of the new Russian space station module. They compose an imaginary yet realistic series of diary entries from the point of view of an astronaut living on board the completed space station.
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Its All In The Delivery
Learners investigate the concept of different words and how they are used in specific texts. They develop scripts based upon readings and then design props and costumes to act out the new text. Students read to one another using the...
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It's How You Play the Game
Learners assess and explain the qualities that they believe are possessed by great professional athletes. They examine whether or not getting away with breaking a rule in a sport is considered cheating or gamesmanship.
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Setting Boundaries
Students investigate the determination of the boundaries of various countries. They work in small groups to research a country's political history and past boundary issues and territorial disputes.
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Losing Face or Saving Face?
Students examine the recent partial face transplant in Ameiens, France and the ensuing public debate on extreme plastic surgery. They participate in a fishbowl discussion on the ethics and implications of future face transplants.
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Lake Tahoe Then and Now
Students investigate the differences in Lake Tahoe from the past to the present. In this geography lesson, students read the book Washoe Seasons of Life and identify the descriptions of the land and lake. Students create a Venn diagram...
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Reading-Author's Purpose
Students review what author's purpose is by understanding that authors either persuade, inform, describe, or entertain with their story. In this language arts lesson, students bring in junk mail and in small groups discuss what the each...
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The Surreal World
Students explore the concept of Surrealism and how it can be expressed in various art forms. They next create a Surrealist collage, and engage in a Surrealist process to invent a title for their work. They critique a class exhibition of...
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Unraveling the Web
Students consider how a message might be traced along a complex network, then explore backbone maps as a basis for understanding the purpose and structure of the Internet.
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Digitized Doctoring
Students explore new medical technologies to exhibit in an Amazing Medical Machines technology fair. They research different types of advanced medical technologies; then create posters to summarize findings and present at a mock medical...
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Coming of Age with H.I.V.
Students explore and examine some of the issues facing HIV positive teenagers. They research the lives of HIV positive teenagers.
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Executive Exchanges
Students explore the April, 2006, overhaul of the White House staff. They research the positions in transition and stage a press conference to introduce these changes to the public.
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Birth of a Nation
Fifth graders portray one of the actual framers of the Constitution. They summarize each class period with a journal entry and culminate the experience with the actual framing and signing (or not signing) of the Constitution.