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Comparing and Analyzing Literary Works
Students read two short stories by the same author.  For each story, they identify the main structures and style of the author.  They use the text to write a summary about each story and how the author used literary techniques.
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What Is Democracy?
Students explore the concept of democracy. They define and describe democracy and choose an issue they believe the government should care about for its people. They write a persuasive essay about their issue.
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Participating in Democracy
Students analyze film clips in class. In this democracy lesson, students identify the differences between civil liberties, democracy and freedom. Students view a video regarding Japanese internment and answer study questions as well as...
San José State University
MLA Formatting Guidelines: Ellipsis for Omissions
If you would like a concise overview of MLA formatting, this two-page handout provides it. It addresses page layout, parenthetical citations, and works cited (including when and how to use ellipses to indicate an omission), but it does...
Curated OER
Reading the Movies: Another Approach To Teaching Critical Thinking Skills And Writing
Students explore the elements of film to analyze character, action, and the themes in the movie, "Quiz Show." The lesson encourages students to make personal connections and real life applications as they view the movie, critically.
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Lesson Plan on Korea
Students read a variety of novels and watch clips of films through which they begin to feel empathy for cultures and countries occupied by foreign countries.  They have the option of studying the Sino-Japanese Wars or the Russo-Japanese...
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Thankful List
Students practice using free association as a pre-writing technique as they list things that they are thankful for. They share the lists of words and apply them when they write a descriptive essay or poem after identifying commonalities...
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HOT TOPICS OF THE MISSISSIPPI
Students use a five-step process to write a persuasive essay about an issue that is related to the Mississippi River.  Students build an argument based on prior knowledge and information from a variety of sources.  Students base their...
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"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
In this "The Tell-Tale Heart" worksheet, learners write an essay about how Edgar Allan Poe keeps the reader in suspense.  The worksheet helps students construct the essay through eleven different scaffolding steps.
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Maven Makeover?
Students reflect on the role of prisons and discuss how they believe sentencing should be handed down.  After reading an article, they discover the experiences Martha Stewart went through while in prison.  In groups, they share their...
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Jamestown
Seventh graders examine life at the Jamestown settlement. In this colonial America lesson plan, 7th graders visit the noted Web site to analyze artifacts from the settlement. Based on their findings, students write descriptive pieces...
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My Car Has Potential
Seventh graders investigate how changes in the mass or height of a ramp can affect the change in potential energy.  They discuss the concepts of work and energy, then using the four question strategy, they design an experiment that...
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Oedipus by Sophocles
Students read and interpret the play Oedipus by Sophocles. A wide array of fabulous thought provoking assignments are intertwined within this lesson for the students to complete.
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Silk Road Assessment
In this ancient trade routes worksheet, students respond to 10 multiple choice questions and 1 essay question about the Silk Road and its significance.
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Benjamin Franklin: the Scientist / Inventor
In this Ben Franklin learning exercise, students read a five paragraph text about the accomplishments of the famous inventor. Students answer two essay questions. Part of the learning exercise appears to be missing as the questions are...
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Exploring the West Using Fiction
Students explore post Civil War development of the American West.  They investigate the conflict among various groups involved in the settlement of the West and select a novel by a western writer and complete questions from the Exploring...
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Personally Speaking
Seventh graders read, "The Witch of Blackbird Pond," and write an expository essay discussing choices they have in society today compared with the character Kit.
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The Civil War Era
Fifth graders explore both the causes of and the actual events of the Civil War. They write essays and descriptive paragraphs and explore a variety of websites. They create a series of skits highlighting the key points of the Civil War era.
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Looking at Life through the Creation of Personal Metaphors
Students focus on the creation of personal metaphors, which are first illustrated in pictures and caricatures and then extended to descriptive/analytical paragraphs. They teach the lesson to others using their own personal metaphors as...
Curated OER
Babes in Electronic Toyland
Students read a New York Times article in order to explore the use of handheld electronic devices in schools. They investigate, through surveys and essay-writing, the pros and cons of this technology.
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Unit Plan for Mark Twain and American Humor
Students create brochures about the humor of Mark Twain. In this literature-analysis lesson plan, students read "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" and other short stories by Twain. Students write analytical paragraphs and...
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Subject-Verb Agreement Rules
In this subject verb agreement worksheet, young scholars read information about subject-verb agreement and then identify the correct verb in a sentence, practice using delayed subjects, and underline the verb that agrees with the subject...
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Ghosts of Rwanda: Reconciliation and Reparations
Learners examine a specific case of genocide participation in Rwanda.  Working in groups, they simulate the courtroom drama, from the positions of victim, perpetrator, and court monitor.  They conclude by writing essays on the...
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Peer Edit Sheet
HUH? WHAT? YES! Peers are prompted to label parts of a peer's writing where they find information inadequate, confusing, or effective.