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Investigate the Sonoran Desert
Students read article in Chain Reaction about the Sonoran Desert and answer questions.
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The Extra Place
Students read and discuss the story of a Peace Corps volunteer's experiences in Poland. They read and write a response to the story, and participate in a class analysis about their own personal decision regarding the story.
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Safe and Sound: Rock Concert Dangers
Students read attached articles and others they can find about dangers at rock concerts and also what bands, venue owners and others have done to increase safety. They conduct interviews and write a feature about concert safety in the...
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Accident Pinpoints Dangerous Site
Students read about local accident sites and conduct research of areas of high incidence. They interview police and insurance agents and explore what can be done if a site has multiple accidents. They write a news feature about the...
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"The Star-Spangled Banner"
Students perform a song using correct posture, correct rhythms, and accurate pitches. They read musical notation and lyrics of various patriotic tunes, analyze the purpose and meaning of patriotic songs, discuss the social and cultural...
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Sunshine Week: Your right to know
Students read background material about accessing open records, including how to file a Freedom of Information request. Students choose a restaurant close to school they want to investigate and contact the county health inspection office...
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Vandalism leads to locked bathrooms
Students research bathroom vandalism in other schools like Freedom High after reading an article about Freedom High and their situation. Students then decide if their school has a similar problem and interview administrators and janitors...
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And the Winner Is...
Middle schoolers read the sports section of the daily newspaper to find daily totals of what countries have won medals and find articles to keep in their journal (notebook) on the different events and athletes. They then create a...
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Women Call Out: The Personal Narrative
After reading and discussing several personal narratives written by women in the 1920's, class members write a personal narrative of their own about a time in their lives they felt controlled. Sample narratives can be accessed through...
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Make Your Own Constellation Myth
Students explore constellations, as well as facts and myths about them. They read three myths about three particular constellations. In groups, students perform activities and discuss how to connect the stars in a constellation. They...
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Comparing Two Poe Classics
Students read and discuss The Black Cat and The Tell-Tale Heart. In this poetry lesson, students construct a Venn diagram to compare and contrast two pieces of literature.
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Three is a Toxic Number
Future public health advocates read a case study of a combination of water pollutants that may be linked to autism. The class is split into three groups, one to research each of the suspected chemicals. The look at how each one affects...
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Arsenic and Lead Scavenger Hunt
Health wizards read and discuss an article about lead contamination then come up with a plan to help solve the problem. They get into groups to develop a community solution within the parameters of a budget, feasibility, and the source...
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Edgar Allan Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado"
After reading "The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe, use the SMART board file to learn about Poe's background and use of irony. The lesson includes resource links to additional websites, as well as the SMART board file (you...
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Maniac McGee: Find Your Match
Students explore similarities and differences between people. In this diversity and literacy instructional activity, students read Maniac McGee and consider character traits. Students play a game in which they locate classmates with...
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Pancakes, Pancakes (Elementary, Science)
Read Pancakes for Breakfast by Tomi De Paola then participate in different activities which practice skills such as English language development, using non-standard measurement, fine motor skills, dramatic play, and using our five senses.
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What's the Purpose Anyway?
Examine author's purpose in newspaper articles, comic books, cookbooks, encyclopedias and other forms of written materials. Working in groups, middle and high schoolers read teacher-selected articles and write an explanation of the...
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Hieroglyphic Cartouche Pendants
In ancient Egypt, mummified bodies were embellished with elaborate cartouches housing the name of the deceased. Elementary artists can read all about Egyptian burial practices then create a cartouche of their own using clay and real...
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Losing Ground
Pupils examine the Dust Bowl and the effects of farming practices in the early 20th century. They read a handout, and conduct and discuss two experiments simulating soil erosion.
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HIV/AIDS: Rights and Responsibilities
Eighth graders read and discuss various situations revolving around the subject of HIV/AIDS. They practice applying knowledge, solving problems, and identifying feelings around the issue of HIV. They also discuss correct condom use.
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New to School Student Booklets
Students complete a booklet that describes their experiences in school. They read books about going to school and complete pages about themselves, their teachers and the types of activities they most enjoy.
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Understanding Character
Readers practice character analysis by reviewing Gary Soto's short story "La Bamba" with the whole class (anything you've read together will work). They design t-shirts that feature traits and story elements to reveal the nature of a...
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Prince Ibrahima
Sixth graders read and utilize the facts from the story "Abd al-Rahmen Ibrahima" by Walter Dean Myers to analyze the main character's life which is ruined by conflict, jealousy, and greed. Journal entries are created in response to the...
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Ivan the Fool: Lesson 3
Students read and analyze the Eastern European folktale of 'Ivan the Fool.' They discuss the term 'quest,' identify quests in their own lives, and in small groups design a board game that illustrates the czar's quest to find good wives...