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Fountain Pen Makes a Comeback in Scotland

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Young scholars read and discuss a news article about a school in Scotland that is using fountain pens to write with. They answer article comprehension questions, participate in a discussion about the importance of handwriting, write...
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Flights of Fancy?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students reflect on the dynamics of human flight and how objects fall through the air and how science principles are used in flight. They create a How-It-Works poster diagramming the science behind one method of flying. In addition,...
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Are We Safer?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss the meaning of feeling safe in their environment after September 11th. After reading National Intelligence reports and news articles summarizing the findings about national security, they write letters to their...
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What Will You Do With Your Life?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of self-improvement while reading an article to create the context of discovery. They read about life lists and then use the samples in order to create one's own list.
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Drought Threatens Huge Man-Made Lake

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students locate Lake Mead, then read a news article about Lake Mead drying up and how that would effect water and power supplies to the region. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a map and vocabulary...
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From the School House to the White House

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students recall visits to museums, then read a news article about a museum exhibit that shows what U.S. presidents were like during their childhood. In this U.S. history and current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces...
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High Crimes and Misdemeanors

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze the Constitution's wording regarding impeachment and discuss the impeachment process. They then design a survey based on student-generated questions about the charges against President Clinton and write a letter to the...
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East Timor's Declaration of Independence?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the significance of the 8/30/99 vote in East Timor, which determined the territory's independence from Indonesian rule, by analyzing an NYT article to explain actions/reactions.
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Nutrients by the Numbers

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read and discuss an article on the amount of sugar in various food products. They compare the nutritional values of food products, calculate their daily intake of nutrients, analyze serving sizes, and compare/contrast their own...
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Picture Perfect

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore how photographic images can be used to convey the intentions of the photographer based on Hiroji Kubota's photojournalistic show "Can We Feed Ourselves? A Focus on Asia"
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"One Giant Leap for Mankind"

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the significance of the Apollo 11 lunar landing by interviewing an adult for memories of the mission. They incorporate their interviews into news articles as 'journalists' in July 1969 to document this historic 'step for...
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A Whale of a Difference

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research various perspectives on Japan's commercial whaling industry and formulate position papers representing these views. They read the Times article, Yuk! No More Stomach for Whales. Groups present their perspectives on...
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Stately Statements

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students closely read President Bush's State of the Union address, then develop interviews and write articles to assess a variety of points of view about The proposals offered in the speech.
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Political Race

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore political topics and issues that often involve discussions of race or ethnicity. They develop campaign speeches voicing their stances on their assigned topics and explore how their racial and/ or ethnic backgrounds shape...
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Rhythm Nation

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read a New York Times article to help them develop an understanding of the history, development, and social influence of various types of world music through the creation of music museum exhibits.
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Dig Those Descriptions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students practice writing descriptions by researching various artifacts from ancient Egypt and writing captions for them. They read and discuss the Times article, King Tut, Museum Trailblazer, Begins Encore.
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Alien Invasions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students create an educational pamphlet on the origins, spread and impact of invasive plant species in their community.
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Show Me the Story

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners examine the elements of a story, read a review of Chris Rock's new sitcom, "Everybody Hates Chris" and create original sitcom episodes based on their own lives.
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Over-the-Counter Culture

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the changing consumer habits of Americans of various socioeconomic classes. They examine the exact costs of products, services and interest rates mentioned in the article and reflect on their own spending habits and...
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In the Wake of a Storm

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students share thoughts about the effects of Hurricane Katrina on Louisiana's natural environment. They read an online article and write proposals to save Mississippi River marshlands.
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Nightmare in Minnesota

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students read and discuss the article "10 Are Dead in Minnesota After Rampage at School." students explore their reactions to school violence and interventions to prevent its occurance.
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Connecting Immigrants In Black And White

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the many ways that ethnic newspapers help immigrants in the United States stay connected to their cultures and countries of origin. They write articles for ethnic newspapers.
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Fruitful Questions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners examine a fruit-related Q & A Science Times article. They write their own food science questions and answer them in the same format as the article. For homework, they analyze their fruit consumption according to U.S....
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Older, Wiser, and Making a Difference

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners reflect on an adult who plays a significant role in their lives. They conduct peer interviews and write newspaper articles about these important individuals.