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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A History of Conflict Resolution and the Jury System

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars study the history of the jury system in the United States. They enact a number of different types of trials including trial by jury. They complete a worksheet that compares the trials systems before writing a persuasive...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Anti-social Behavior - A Topical Lesson From Learn.co.uk

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss issues of crime, punishment, respect and responsibility, and explore arguments about causes of crime and possible solutions, and write persuasive essays sharing their views.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Here's to Your Health!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Studets research a health issue. They write an essay about the health issue. The create a public service announcement.
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Power of Persuasion

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Teaching students about persuasion can be a fun experience that involves writing, PowerPoint presentations, and vocabulary building.
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Lesson Plan
NPR

Is There Really an Immigration Line?

For Students 8th - 12th Standards
If you've ever looked at the US immigration system, you know that it is complex and a source of controversy. An insightful lesson plan encourages learners to conduct their own analyses of the US immigration system by asking them to...
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Worksheet
1
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The New York Times

Great Debate: Developing Argumentation Skills

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
"Advertising has no impact on whether people buy something." "Looting is morally permissible during national disasters and emergencies." "Gay teenagers should be allowed to take dates to the prom." Considering a class debate? Check out...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Author's Day

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Have your learners choose an author to study. One resource link gives a list of approved authors. Scholars read at least three works produced by that author and produce three separate book reports as well as a two-page author report....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thomas Jefferson's Library: Making the Case for a National Library

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Young scholars examine a letter written by Thomas Jefferson. In this lesson on the Thomas Jefferson Library, students discover a methodology for creative writing by examining Jefferson's letter to congress explaining why they should...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unit Plan for Mark Twain and American Humor

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students create brochures about the humor of Mark Twain. In this literature-analysis lesson plan, students read "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" and other short stories by Twain. Students write analytical paragraphs and...
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Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

From Courage to Freedom: Slavery's Dehumanizing Effects

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners analyze slavery and its effects on humanity using Frederick Douglass' autobiography. For this slavery instructional activity, students analyze instances of reality and romanticized myth using a slave narrative. Learners explore...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scenario Challenge: Farenheit 451

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students choose books to preserve for future generations.  Students are given a scenario in which they are allowed to save only five books for future generations.  Students write a persuasive letter in which they try to convince the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tunes for Bears to Dance to: Questioning Strategy, Discussion Web

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Readers of Robert Cormier's Tunes for Bears to Dance to are asked to consider the morality of the central character's actions
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Forming a Research-Based Claim: Comparing Cascading Consequences

For Teachers 7th Standards
It's time to weigh the risks and benefits of screen time! Pupils work in triads to identify the strongest positive and negative consequences from their Cascading Consequences chart. Next, using the chart and their researcher's notebooks,...
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Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Choosing a Position: Screen Time and Adolescents

For Teachers 7th Standards
Time to pick a side! Building on the Fishbowl activity from the previous instructional activity, scholars choose a position about whether the American Academy of Pediatrics should raise its screen time recommendations. Using notes,...
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PPT
Livaudais-Baker English Classroom

Literary Theories

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Introduce ELA scholars to the basics of literary criticism with a 41-slide presentation that identifies eight different approaches to critical analysis. Each approach is defined, and advantages and disadvantages are listed. Also included...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's My Point?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders move through the process of defining persuasion, identifying persuasive arguments and techniques in writing and evaluating their own use of accurate details. Students also define an author's point of view.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dispute Over Slavery in Kansas Territory

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students analyze primary sources on slavery from Kansas Territory. In this Civil War lesson, students evaluate the antislavery and pro-slavery arguments and summarize key points. Students write a persuasive paper from the antislavery...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Crucible: Hysteria, Witches and Death

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the historical events of the Salem witch trials. After completing research and reading a play on the witch trials, 11th graders compare and contrast the historical facts to the fictional play. In groups, students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heritage: Seeking Land or Gold

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers write a persuasive letter home defending their decision either to settle in Utah and farm the land, or to go on to California to seek gold. They analyze a problem, make a decision, and write a letter defending their choice.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heroes

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders participate in research and class discussion before attempting to write a traditional five paragraph essay. They use the examples of 16 other hero stories to consider. Students use examples and descriptive details to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TV Talks, We Listen?

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students recognize and analyze the link between advertisements and commercial programs as well as their influence on the audience. In this television and advertisement analysis lesson plan, students watch television to research the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

H.D. Thoreau's Philosophy of Government

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students read an essay by H.D. Thoreau as analysis of his philosophy on government. In this Thoreau analysis lesson, students work in groups to paraphrase two of Thoreau's criteria for his beliefs about government. Students write a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Orwell's Essay on his Life in Burma: "Shooting an Elephant"

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students read George Orwell's essay "Shooting an Elephant" as an analysis for the historical context. In this historical analysis lesson, students analyze the main points in the essay to identify its cultural and historical context....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stocking Up For The Next Millennium

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Look back on the inventions, concepts, cultural items, and literary contributions of the past one hundred years. Young historians will compose a presentation based on the research they do in favor of one thing that should withstand the...