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Identifying and Using Parallelism and Balance in Literature
Analyze the use of balanced sentences and parallelism in a narrative. Included in this resource is a narrative about serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Kazakhstan titled, "The Train Ride Home". Middle and high schoolers review...
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She's All Over the Map
Students consider female authors and their literature. Working in partnerships, they research and map the life and work of a Nobel Prize-winning female author of their choice. Students write individual letters expressing their thoughts...
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Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Fourth graders research and write an author report on Roald Dahl, including books written by him, birthplace, family life, and other information on his writing. Students read aloud chapters in the book. Students create a newspaper...
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Express Yourself
Young scholars share opinions about the way students behave. They write letters to the editor responding to an article.
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Looking at French Decorative Arts
Students compare the role of a marchand-mercier to that of a modern-day business counterpart and write a persuasive letter. In this French art instructional activity, students discuss the role of the marchand-mercier in French design and...
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Looking at French Decorative Arts: Makers of Nothing, Sellers of Everything
Students imagine they are a 'marchand-mercier' (or salesman) and write a persuasive letter to sell French items. In this art analysis lesson, students identify the role of a 'marchand-mercier' and write a three-paragraph letter to sell...
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Stunning Recommendations
Students read and discuss the article, "Demands Rise for Tighter Oversight on Use of Stun Guns." They write letters to their state government representative with suggestions on how to regulate and study the safety of stun guns.
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Inquiring Minds
Students participate in a "fishbowl" discussion to address the notions of government and intelligence accountability for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. They write letters to the President of the United...
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Funky Illuminated Fairy Tales
Students create a nameplate and an original fairy tale book using an illuminated manuscript format. In this fairy tale lesson plan, students will explain styles and techniques of illuminated manuscripts. They will also create a personal...
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Funky Illuminated Fairy Tales
Students create a nameplate and an original fairy tale book using an illuminated manuscript format. They create a personal nameplate using a decorated or historiated initial, a border, and illuminations.
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Block the Shock Jock or Not?
Students examine their own experiences with racist and sexist speech by deciding whether or not they agree or disagree with statements related to this subject. They explore the limits of public speech by reading about the controversy...
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Chickenfeed by Minette Walters
Young scholars read, analyze and discuss the novel, "Chickenfeed," by Minette Walters. They assess the theories of tell me a story, take a letter and is truth stranger than fiction? Each student reviews the synopsis and explore how...
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Poetry
Students reflect on a news report through poetry. Students write a poem based on this week's news events. Students share poems with each other. Students reflect on a poem of their choosing.
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Rhythm
Third graders sing in 3/4 meter with an upbeat. They write a poem using descriptive words. Students move at different speeds to show quarter, half and eigth notes. They play a math game involving the number of beats a quarter, half and...
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When Athletes Are Off-Base
Young scholars explore whether or not athletes have a responsibility to be role models in society.
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Famous People
Students listen to short biographies of famous individuals and discuss what it means to be famous for something. They write a short autobiography stating why they are a famous first grader. They take turns being interviewed by the rest...
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Managing or Meddling?
Pupils examine Bosnian and Herzegovinian society before and during American involvement, focusing on the successes in Brcko. They write a reflective essay considering the role of "helper countries" in foreign affairs.
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Validating Votes
Explore the discrepancies in Florida's vote counting process in 2000 and 2002 with this New York Times reading instructional activity. Middle schoolers study the viewpoints presented in informational text, paying attention to how...
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Letters From The Diaspora
Students investigate the concept of mass migration and conduct research using a variety of resources. The information is used in order to create letters written from the perspective of a person who may have migrated during the time period.
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Discord in Dixieland
Students brainstorm businesses located in their community, and whether or not their community has been affected by the introduction of chain stores. Students debate the effects that chain retailers have on local businesses and...
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The Influence of Physical Geography
Students explore the limits and demands of their physical world and how it relates to the survival and well-being of people.
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The Desert Alphabet Book
Students use a book to discover an interesting fact from the desert using each letter of the alphabet. Using a United States map, they identify the meanings of symbols and locate deserts within the U.S. In groups, they participate in...
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Looking Back
Young scholars work together to research the history of Macedonia. As a class, they compare and contrast a free market economy with a state-controlled economy. In groups, they read a letter by a Peace Corp volunteer and compare it to...
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Tales of Truman's Travels Fifty Years Ago
Fourth graders study President Truman and the Whistlestop Campaign. For this US history lesson, 4th graders complete a KWL about President Truman and write letters to stops on Truman's Whistlestop Campaign. Students create a presentation...