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Beginning with Bosch
Young scholars explore surrealism through the artwork of Hieronymus Bosch. In this surrealism instructional activity, students understand the characteristics of the art of Bosch and create an original artwork and poem to go with it.
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Language Arts, Word Choice
Third graders practice replacing words in a sentence to make it more interesting. In this word choice lesson plan, 3rd graders listen to the story The Hard-Times Jar by Ethel Smothers and discuss the author's word choice. Students...
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Molly's Pilgrim and Thanksgiving Activities
The tender story of Molly's Pilgrim, coupled with a history mini-lesson, is a great way to discuss the meaning of Thanksgiving.
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From Zero to Superhero
Students discuss superheroes, focusing first on the details of creating the character of Batman. They work in small groups to develop superheroes for the 1990s, and write stories or cartoons about their superhero's adventures on their own.
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Swift Response
Students examine how matters of national security affect the press' ability to practice free speech. They read and discuss an article regarding the Swift program, discuss opinions about patriotism and the press, and write a letter to the...
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Greek Mythology: Cultures and Art
Students examine literary arts. In this Greek mythology lessons, students read Greek myths and select characters from the myths to study. Students create watercolor illustrations of the characters, write short stories about the...
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Preparing the Soil
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning activity, students read Seedfolks and discuss the characters in the story and consider their actions that led to a community garden. Students journal about their...
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One Stage at a Time
Students explore the psychological coping mechanisms of cancer patients and relate individual cancer survivors' stories to Dr. Kubler-Ross' stages of grief. They use first-person accounts, discussion and journals to explore these concepts.
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From America, With Love
Students research the experiences of specific immigrant groups in the United States. Letters are written from imaginary immigrants to relatives in their countries of origin, including historically accurate details.
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Korean Folk Paintings - The Symbolic Tiger
Students read Korean folktale The Tiger and the Dried Persimmon, discuss story's symbolism, consider why tiger is important Korean symbol, and view variety of Korean folk paintings. Students then create their own tiger paintings,...
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Posters with a "Twist"
Students examine how posters can depict history and reflect societal issues of an era. They apply principles of poster art to create original posters reflecting society in 19th century England.
National First Ladies' Library
How Do Flowers Get Their Names?
Young scholars study Carolus Linnaeus and his classification system of plants. They examine the origin of both both common and scientific names of flowers. They speculate how their favorite flowers came to be named and brainstorm about...
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Reader's Theatre for The Little Red Hen Makes A Pizza
Students participate in reader's theatre. In this compare and contrast instructional activity, students read the book The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza. This instructional activity promotes fluency and expression. Students also...
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Headless Horseman, Heady Author
Twelfth graders explore figurative language as it appears in Washington Irving's original text, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, answer questions based on story, and write sequels to it by using the different types of figurative language...
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Lessons of the Indian Epics: Following the Dharma
Students examine how the epic poem, "Ramayana" teaches dharma, one of Hinduism's most important tenets. They read the abridged version of the "Ramayana," identify the main plot points, complete a chart, and write an essay on a moral...
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Rain Forest Research
Second graders explore the Rain Forest. In this research lesson, 2nd graders go online to gather information about Rain Forest animals. Students print and use the information to write about the many parts of the Rain Forest. Students are...
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Make It or Break It
Young scholars study about "breaking news" by analyzing the New York Times' coverage of the July 2006 bombing of seven commuter trains in Mumbai, India. They write their own breaking news stories for homework.
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Funny Business
Students discuss how much they understand of satire and parody. They read an article about an Iraq news parody show. They create and act out their own parody skit. They write an essay about using humor in grave situations.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Faulkner's As I Lay Dying: Images of Faulkner and the South
Learners research one aspect of the life of Faulkner and the culture of the South. For this As I Lay Dying instructional activity, learners explore a webpage on Faulkner and write a summary. Learners analyze the images...
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Prize-Winning Prose
Learners develop criteria for 'Kids' Pulitzers,' awards in categories of writing determined by Students. Each student then bestow a 'Kids' Pulitzer' upon a piece of writing which they deem to be distinguished based on the established...
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Coming to America
Learners interview a person who has immigrated to America and, based on that interview, to write an article about the person.
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Investigative Journalism
Students choose newsworthy topics to research and investigate, narrow focus of investigation, get information from the source through interviews, write stories, and submit to media outlets.
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Behind the Cover
Students develop questions they would have liked to ask an author about their written works. They read an article about their forefathers and research a back story to a written work of their choice. They create posters to illustrate the...
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Horatio's Drive
Students assess the literary quality and elements of Jackson's journey to write a ballad about his automobile adventure.