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Why Size Matters
Students examine the concept of body image. In this current events lesson, students research selected websites for information about fashion models, plastic surgery, and advertising. Students share and discuss their findings.
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Esperanza Rising
Sixth graders explore equality by reading a story with their classmates. In this discrimination lesson plan, 6th graders read the story Esperanza Rising and discuss the tensions between Latin America and the United States. Students view...
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Alphabet Soup
Students study language. In this unique alphabets lesson, students read the article by Michael Everson "For the World's A B C's, He Makes 1's and 0's." They discuss the importance of alphabets and work in small groups to create a poster...
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Money Issued
Fourth graders explore economic issues. In this economics lesson plan, 4th graders read Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday and discuss how Alexander wasted his money. Students write about a time when they made a poor money decision.
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Nature of Science and Ecology
Students identify the different biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem. In this ecology lesson, students perform a case study on current environmental problems. They write a position statement about their chosen topic and share it...
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Spam University
Students read a New York Times article in order to consider the dissemination of information. They investigate the need for privacy as opposed to the need for information by looking at mass on-line and postal mail distributors.
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Schools of Thought on Segregation
Students read a New York Times article in order to explain how American courts and communities are dealing with the unanimous Supreme Court decision to end "separate but equal" education. They analyze how this affects the nation's youth.
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Covering the Campaign Trail: Technological Progress or Temporary Chaos?
Young scholars study the changes in reporting and journalism techniques that have evolved due to advances in technology by reading an online transcript. They debate whether the technological advances are positive or negative in the...
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Themes of Geography in the News Contest
Students discuss current events in the world today. After choosing one to focus on, they identify the themes of Geography present in them and practice using new vocabulary. They use the internet to find all of the themes present in...
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A Couple of Kooks and Other Stories About Love
Students read an article about teenage pregnancy and the story, "A Couple of Kooks and Other Stories About Love," making notes about how the pregnant teens are characterized. They then compare and contrast the views of pregnant teens in...
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Celebrating 100 Years of Flight for Grades 3-5
Students study the history of flight of the past one hundred years, focusing on the invention of the airplane, the introduction of women pilots and the space race. They conduct research and then write and publish a "100 Years of Flight"...
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A Race to Watch: Campaign 2008, The Role of Technology and the Internet
Learners listen to a statement about the role the Internet plays in the political process and respond by placing a card under the appropriate agree/disagree sign at the front of the room. Students brainstorm reasons to select their...
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Weaker Dollar, Stronger Returns
In this economics worksheet, students read a 1-page article titled "Weaker Dollar, Stronger Returns," and then respond to 4 short answer questions about the article.
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Appreciating Our American Heritage
Students learn about the Chinese culture via literature. They read the poetry of Cathy Song, considering national pride as Americans and Chinese.
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The Past Is Gone, But Not Forgotten
Students examine the role of historic sites in preserving the past, and use a NY Times article about a preserved 19th century farm as a springboard for discussion about the conservation of other historic sites and research about historic...
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Throwing It All Away?
Young scholars read a New York Times article as part of their investigation as to what happens when an item is thrown away or recycled. They analyze the relationship between a product's ingredients and its effect on the Earth and...
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Food - What's in It for You?
Students examine healthy eating and nutrition. They read and discuss articles, and create a list of ten healthy eating tips in the form of a poster, newspaper article, or presentation.
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Compound Words
First graders read newspaper articles and locate compound words. They break the words into two parts, then draw pictures of the two words.
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How To Write Good Letter to the Editor
Students discover how to write a letter to the editor that would be good enough to be considered for publication. They include her or his opinion about the story, share a story of a similar experience to the author's or offer advice to...
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In the News
Third graders participate in a lesson that helps to improve reading comprehension. They move through several activities that help them understand how to express their opinions, support their statements and communicate these thoughts...
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The Human Mind
High schoolers read and discuss twin studies to explore the debate of nature vs. nurture. They create a list of characteristics and then look for evidence of whether it is primarily a genetic or environmental characteristic. All of the...
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Thanksgiving: Multiple Perspectives
Students examine different perspectives about Thanksgiving that include those of the European Settlers and the Native Americans. They read and discuss an article about Plymouth being "America's Hometown." They develop a landmark for...
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"Eggs-perimenting" Fun
Students dissolve salt into water, place an egg into a glass of salt water, observe and record observations, make a scientific hypothesis, summarize what they studied from this hands-on experiment. They share their ideas and findings...
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Unplugged
Pupils read the article "Power From the People Breaks the Hold of Batteries and Plugs." Students work in groups to examine various sources of power. Pupils debate the advantages and disadvantages of each power source. They assume the...