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The Cuban Missile Crisis in 10 Steps

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders research the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis. In this Cuban Missile Crisis instructional activity, 10th graders work in groups to order a group of ten events of the crisis.
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Ship of the Line

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students discover boats by researching 18th century ships.  For this Naval history lesson, students identify and describe the different components of an 18th century naval ship after researching information on the Internet....
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Meet the Reformers

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this American reformers instructional activity, 7th graders research the accomplishments of selected reformers. Students then use the...
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Evaluating the "Save the Indian" Reforms

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the policies of the "Save the Indian" reforms. Working in groups, they review the motives, methods, and effects of the "Save the Indian" campaign of the late 19th century. Through discussion and writing, they form...
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Ar.... What Gives?

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners investigate the properties of air through inflated objects. In this physical science lesson, students examine gas as a state of matter. Student push on inflated objects and note the space the gas has taken up inside. Learners...
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Zoo Animal Experts

For Teachers K
As part of an exploration of zoo animals, kindergarteners conduct research on their favorite animal and compile their information. Learners write about their animal in a journal and create a trading card. The culminating activity is a...
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Enrichment Activities - "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH"

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read the novel "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH." They discuss the various characters in the book, and the different types of conflict that take place within the book. They also research owls and rats to make comparisons...
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But We Need More, Where Will It Come From?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students write a persuasive letter and create a poster about pollution and conservation. In this pollution and conservation lesson plan, students learn how humans are the number 1 cause of pollution.
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"Julie of the Wolves"

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research life in Alaska and compare life there to their lives in this lesson plan. They read "Julie of the Wolves." They research through the novel and other reference books facts about the Alaskan climate and geography. ...
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Things Aren't Always What They Seem

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students use video and the Internet to make predictions, draw conclusions, determine conflict and point of view while reading a short story. For this short story analysis lesson, students watch a related video and complete a prediction...
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Teaching Imagery with Gary Paulsen

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read excerpts from memoirs written by Gary Paulsen as examples of how to write a narrative piece. They identify figurative language used and then they write a memoir of their own that contains imagery and figurative language.
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Cultural Impact of Jim Crow Laws and the Civil Rights Movement

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students examine the Jim Crow laws and how they impacted the lives of both African Americans and white Americans. They discuss the Civil Rights Movement and how their lives may have been different had it not occurred. Groups...
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Potential and Kinetic Energy

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore potential and kinetic energy. For this science lesson, 6th graders assume the role of a roller coaster engineer and design a roller coaster. Students use their knowledge of kinetic and potential energy to design a...
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W.W. Jacob's "The Monkey's Paw" Theme

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students identify the theme of "The Monkey's Paw" and relate it to prior knowledge.  In this "The Monkey's Paw" lesson, students discuss fate and coincidence and debate which one controls destiny.  A test is chosen as the...
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Learning By Looking: Pueblo Indian Ceremonial Dances

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate the uses of ceremonial dance in the Pueblo Indian culture by viewing videos of native dances. They listen to folk tales that explain the dances and compare the traditions of the Pueblo culture to their own culture....
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Balloon Rocket

For Teachers K - 4th
Learners observe a balloon rocket and how it relates to Newton's Third Law of Motion. In this balloon rocket lesson plan, students make a balloon rocket out of balloons, clothespins, straw, fishing line, and duct tape.
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Changes in Pulse Rate

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders practice making observations and collecting data after determining a baseline pulse rate then collect data on the changes in that rate with exercise. Students must organize their data and analyze their observations.
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Out of the Dust 3

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students read the novel, Out of the Dust, and complete a cause and effect chart and a character chart. When the book is completed, they answer review questions.
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Immigration/Migration

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate the immigration into America by researching Ellis Island. In this United States History lesson, 6th graders research the Internet to view photographs and find information about the immigration to Ellis Island....
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ReQuest and Motor Imaging with My Side of the Mountain

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read "My Side of the Mountain." They create a pantomime using vocabulary words from the story. Students create three questions about the reading. They discuss the passage they read and act out words to help them better...
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Apply Post-Reading Skills and Discuss Persuasive Text

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students put their reading comprehension skills to practice. In this interpreting text lesson, students read "Chief Red Jacket's Reply," and then respond to questions that require them to reason, infer, and analyze the selection.
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Shipwreck Mystery

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study web pages on a shipwreck then locate where this took place on a map.  In this marine archaeologist activity students examine what clues archaeologists use to find the location of a shipwreck and  what they might...
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We Arrived 10,000 Years Ago...

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explain ways that humans migrated from Asia and settle in the Americas.  In this investigative lesson students participate in a brief archaeological demonstration and review what they learned. 
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Character, You Say? Prove It!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars discuss character traits, and complete a character map and a Venn diagram for selected characters in their assigned text.