Teaching Tolerance
Inventing a Better World
From play pumps that provide clean water to shoes made from trash, innovators change the world one invention at a time. After researching various inventions, young entrepreneurs develop their own. Extension opportunities include prompts...
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Tales of Changing Seasons
Fourth graders create original myths explaining why the seasons change.
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Memoirs and Personal Essays
Students can then pinpoint problems the characters experience and interview their parents to see if they too may have once faced a similar problem. Interviews with family members can be recorded by students in their home language.
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Inside Information
Students research and write reports about inventions and inventors. They develop graphic organizers to organize their information, and create reports on the impact of inventors and inventions.
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Arthur's Birthday
Students investigate birthdays. In this literacy cross curriculum lesson, students listen to the book Arthur's Birthday by Marc Brown. Students re-read the book orally, graph birthdays, design a word search, and create...
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Nature’s Fury—Myths and Drama
Fifth graders explore the elements of theatre. In this dramatic performances lesson plan, 5th graders discuss the structural elements of theatre and dramatize "The Origins of the Season," an explanation myth.
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The Big Apple
This lesson has various activities that can be done simultaneously in groups or one at a time with the entire class. The activities center around New York and apples.
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Atomic structure - Historical background
Learners use the Internet to research the development of the discovery of the atom. They create an essay, PowerPoint presentation and a story line on the subject.
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American Dragon: Jake Long
Students, after viewing the film "American Dragon," by Jake Long, explore and analyze the importance of legends and the unique cultures others grow up in. They stress the need for having a good self-esteem and assess how to work together...
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The Big Buck Adventure: Part 2
Students go on a pretend shopping spree. In this money lesson, students complete a Shopping Spree activity sheet where they pretend they have won $100 and can spend it on a fake shopping spree. Students use the Internet to...
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Another Side of Paradise
Students write a sequel to a book read as a class. In this culminating activity, students write a sequel to the novel This Side of Paradise by Stephen Layne. Students use the epilogue to guide their writing.
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Air Pollution and Asthma (11th Grade)
What is the air quality index? Start by discussing pollution and air quality with your budding environmentalists. A list of instructional activities are provided here from inviting a guest speaker into your classroom to discussing...
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A Feature Presentation - Geographic Landforms
Students investigate, identify and compare the various geographic terms that can be used to describe the landforms occurring in the Hawaiian islands.
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Classroom Supplies
Challenge young mathematicians to buy classroom supplies by staying within the means of a $1,000 budget. The mathematical activity provides learners with the opportunity to decide what items from the supply list would benefit a class of...
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Going Buggy: Lesson 3: Bees
Students review the characteristics of insects they have already been introduced to. As a class, they are introduced to the characteristics of bees and what it can do instead of sting. To end the activity, they discuss how plants and...
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For the Fun of It
Middle schoolers view pictures of Amelia Earhart and discuss the social and historical context of her life. They read excerpts of Earhart's autobiography "The Fun of It" and analyze her purpose in writing it.
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Latin American Film
Middle schoolers critique, discuss, and identify characters in a film about Latin America. In this Latin America lesson plan, students watch the film and discuss the film and everyday life.
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Cave Diagram
Young scholars examine limestone cave geology and hydology. They study cave vocabulary.
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Using a Venn Diagram to Compare / Contrast: Double Bubble
Create a "Double Bubble" to organize information in a Venn diagram-like graphic organizer. There are a few options included to differentiate this assignment, but unfortunately, there are no topics for selection. Provide your...
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Venn Diagram for Compare/Contrast
Use this lesson to focus on a compare and contrast writing structure in your middle school language arts class. Here, young writers compare and contrast two texts using graphic organizers. They use a double bubble format for their...
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Puerto Rico: The 51st State?
Students examine the political status of Puerto Rico. In this global studies lesson, students explore Puerto Rico and consider the feelings of Puerto Ricans regarding their unique political status.
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What Effect Does Climate Have on Wildlife?
Young scholars explore the international scope of climate change. They identify variables that cause changes in the climate. Students examine how changes in climate affect the food chain.
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Simply Speaking
Emerging orators distinguish between effective and ineffective public speaking strategies. They read a text that fits in with a Native Americans unit and speak about the text with both ineffective and effective volume, tone, phrasing,...
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Debate the Daily Dilemma
Have your class practice their persuasion skills by participating in a class debate. They will discuss a dilemma and detail each point of view. Divided into both sides of the argument, they work in groups to create a well-rounded...