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Learning About Evaluation
Students evaluate the essays of their classmates. In this evaluation lesson plan, students write two non-fiction essays on two different topics that they may choose. After a lecture on the aspects of the paper that will be evaluated,...
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Extemporaneous Speeches
Learners perform the six steps of writing an extemporaneous speech including, choosing a topic, researching, writing, practicing delivering and processing.
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Bumper Stickers: A Matter of Focus
Honk if you love bumper stickers! Long used as a persuasive tool, bumper stickers are used to launch this study of persuasive writing. Each class member is given a bumper sticker and asked to formulate three questions the strip might...
Classroom Law Project
Should we believe everything we read? Becoming a discerning consumer of media
Class members investigate the role media should play in a healthy democracy. As part of this study, groups analyze political advertising, use FactCheck to assess not only the veracity of but the persuasions techniques used in candidates'...
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Not Hurting Others
Young scholars are encouraged to use gentle persuation rather than bullying and recognize how their behavior affects others. Students reflect to themselves with provided questions, read a story and reflect about how the characters...
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Constitutional Convention
Eighth graders investigate Constitutional Convention debates. In this early American history instructional activity, 8th graders analyze speeches delivered by Benjamin Franklin at the convention and then research Franklin's...
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Design a Stamp
Students research a famous scientist or mathematician, design a stamp to honor their work, and write persuasively about why this person and their work should be honored on a stamp.
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Endangered Species Act
Students spend the duration of this instructional activity examining the text of the Endangered Species Act. Individually, they complete a profile to determine where they stand on the bill and read excerpts from it. Some role-play the...
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Identifying a Message's Purpose
Students examine the character trait of perseverance and identify a message's purpose. They read a biography of Jackie Joyner Kersee, discuss the main message, and develop an action plan with goals and a message.
Education World
Literary Bash
Young scholars create a Halloween party or event based on a piece of literature they're reading during the season. This allows the students to plan a celebration and discuss a unique title for their themed celebration along with...
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Many Happy Returns
Students compare the journey of Lewis and Clark with the space flight of Apollo 11. Students sequence events using a timeline. Students write a persuasive essay trying to persuade the people of the US to support space exploration.
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Identifying an Author's Purpose
Students read, "Research Shows TV PSAs Effective In Reducing Teen Marijuana Use", discuss the article with questions imbedded in the lesson and write their own PSA.
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Facing the Challenge
Sixth graders identify and understand the impact of the environment on human experiences. They conduct research using the Internet and other available resources and use research to summarize their findings about the Lewis and Clark...
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Power of the People
Students determine the meaning of democracy and investigate accomplishments of a number of United States presidents. They look at images of the presidential one dollar coins before they determine how the job of the president differs from...
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Martian Travelers
Fourth graders complete a WebQuest about life on Mars. In small groups they conduct the WebQuest online, and write down five facts using a minimum of three different references. Students then organize and present their information to...
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Using Multimedia to Teach Core Democratic Values
Students produce multimedia presentation to fellow class members on one of the Core Democratic Values, such as patriotism or civilian control of military, that is part of State of Michigan Social Studies Framework.
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Christmas Carol Project
Eighth graders create a researched presentation comparing and contrasting holiday celebrations from the period surrounding Charles' Dickens 'A Christmas Carol.' In this Christmas celebrations lesson, 8th graders discuss differences...
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Parts of Speech: Active Verbs
Pupils use White Fang to help them study active verbs. In this grammar lesson, students define active verbs and find examples in the the novel White Fang. Pupils then use ProQuest to research a place they'd like to visit. Students write...
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Good Citizens
Students differentiate responsible from irresponsible behavior in their community. For this citizenship lesson, students use technology to organize lists of responsible and irresponsible behaviors, write about the effects these behaviors...
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First Aid Booklet
Learners engage in a hands-on activity to create their own first aid booklet. In small groups, students define the terms, using their own words, then use the dictionary to complete definitions for any remaining words.
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A Funny Happened on the Way to Monticello
Third graders examine the Journey of Lewis and Clark and how it relates to Thomas Jefferson and Monticello. They read about, discuss and complete worksheet pertaining to the Lewis and Clark expedition.
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Let's Put a Spin on Things: Graffiti Role Play
Fourth graders examine what is and what isn't graffiti. They role-play various scenarios, research the Graffiti Hurts website, and discuss when graffiti should be reported to local law enforcement.
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The Responsibility of Preservation
Upper elementary and middle schoolers study the case of the ivory-billed woodpecker, a bird that was once-thought to be extinct. Learners explore the responsibility of people to preserve habitats, and take care of the animals who live in...
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Egg Hatching into Sequencing
Learners create an egg. In this language arts lesson, students create an egg and then take photographs as the egg is being hatched. Learners write about the sequence of the hatching.