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Analyzing Speaker, Language, and Tone in the Writings of Benjamin Franklin
Students analyze writings by Benjamin Franklin. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson, students discover the pseudonyms under which Franklin used to write. Students compare and contrast 2 selections by Franklin.
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Ben Franklin's 300th Birthday Bash
Students read a story about Benjamin Franklin's 300th birthday and answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about it. In this Benjamin Franklin birthday lesson plan, students explore Mr. Franklin's role as an author, editor,...
San Francisco Symphony
Admirable Armonica Admirers
What do Ben Franklin and Wolfgang Mozart have in common? Find out about the musical invention, the armonica or glassy-chord. Learners will read about how Ben Franklin invented this new instrument and how Wolfgang Mozart came to play it....
Read Works
The United States Constitution
The US Constitution is the beginning of Americans' rights. Use a five-paragraph passage to give a brief history of the US Constitution. A great last minute addition to a lesson on Constitution Day.
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The Perfect Man: Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography
Eleventh graders study the characteristics of an autobiography. They read from the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin and discuss and write an essay regarding some of his quotes.
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Benjamin Franklin: Colonial Printer and Journalist
Fifth graders explore how important print media is to everyone's daily life. Students use present daily newspapers and they are to reproduce weather forecasts.
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Autobiographies: A Jigsaw Puzzle
Students read The Autobiography of Ben Franklin. Using construction paper, they cut out five jigsaw puzzle pieces in different shapes using the entire sheet of paper. They write events from their own lives on the puzzle pieces, thus...
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Constitutional Convention
Eighth graders investigate Constitutional Convention debates. For this early American history lesson, 8th graders analyze speeches delivered by Benjamin Franklin at the convention and then research Franklin's life. Students also define...
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Weather Lessons: Explore the Possibilities
Looking to the sky isn't just for day dreamers.The weather is a fascinating way to explore science and history.
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Making a Chiminea
A chiminea is an outdoor fireplace usually made from terracotta. Your class will make miniature versions of this useful heating device to practice specific sculpting techniques. This instructional activity spans four days. It includes...
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Borrowing and Lending
Fourth graders investigate the advantages and disadvantages of borrowing money. For this financial awareness lesson, 4th graders read the book Ben and Me and create a table displaying the advantages and disadvantages of borrowing money.
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Discovering Flight
Students discuss what wind can do such as cause a ball to roll, a book to open, water to move. They observe in the book, "Up, Up and Away!: the Sciene of Flight" things that fly and begin brainstoring things on paper that can fly. They...
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King Midas Lesson Plan
Students perform Reader's Theater of the story of King Midas as they investigate how greed effects people. They look at a contemporary famous person who gave into greed what the effect was. They chose a creative activity from a list...
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Symbolism and Aphorisms
Students describe the characters and the importance of symbolism in "To Kill A Mockingbird". They develop symbols that represent themselves and their school as well. They present these symbols on a poster and show them to their classmates.
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American Beginnings
Eleventh graders examine the role of historians. In this American History lesson, 11th graders analyze document based questions. Students write a summary of these documents.
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Lending a Helping Hand
Students research the work of North American NGOs and select one to support with a financial contribution as a class. In this philanthropic research lesson, students consider the work of Benjamin Franklin, defining good citizenship and...
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Electricity for Kids! It's Shocking!
Students investigate the world of electricity by completing a KWL sheet. In this energy activity, students view PowerPoint presentations about electricity, who invented it, and how it is used today. Students define several electricity...
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Early American Education and Horace Mann
Students analyze the contributions of Horace Mann. In this public education instructional activity, students research Internet and print sources regarding the history of American education, Mann.s life, the Morrill Act of 1862, and the...
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The Final Word
Young scholars research biographies of Americans who advanced science. They create an obituary for the person to share what information they have gathered. They discuss the importance of the obituary as the "final word" of a person to...
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Declaration of Independence
High schoolers analyze a copy of the Declaration of Independence to discover how it was adopted, approved, and signed. The tone and style of the document are analyzed for intention through an exploration its the language and vocabulary.
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A Picture Speaks A Thousand Words
Students explore the power of images through political cartoons, particularly in light of the Danish caricatures of Muhammad that have incited violence around the world. They create their own original artwork to submit to an appropriate...
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Welcome to 1776
Fifth graders visit each center that is set up in the classroom. They participate in each activity and answer the questions at each center in writing with 90% accuracy. Student centers are colonial food, coloinal closet, colonial...
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There's More Than One Way to Get to St. George!
Fourth graders explore alternative ways to do the four operations.
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Electric Light Tower
Students examine the San Jose Light Tower as an example of the development of urban lighting circa 1900. They view a slideshow, conduct research and write newspapers to chronicle the lighting ceremony from a variety of perspectives.