In this lesson, students conduct a science experiment and later discuss the events of the lab during shared writing. Students explain the procedure in their own words and then revise to include content specific vocabulary. Finally, students reflect on new words added to their writing using the Trading Card Creator interactive.
Vocabulary Solutions: A Mixture of Science, Conversation, and Writing
Grades
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"Roused by the Change of Scene": Analyzing a Film Adaptation of Jane Eyre
9 - 12
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
As part of their study of Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre, students read selected sections of the novel closely and compare their representation in the text to representations in the 2007 Masterpiece adaptation of Jane Eyre. They use the concepts of time/pacing, character, and theme to focus their analysis and to plan an adaptation of a scene of their choice.
Grades
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Writing Acrostic Poems with Thematically Related Texts in the Content Areas
2 - 5
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students read thematically related texts, scaffolded from simple to complex, to help them gather necessary concept vocabulary and background knowledge in a content area. They then write acrostic poems to organize and present their learning in a creative way.
Grades
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Book Report Alternative: Creating Postcards for Fictional Settings
4 - 7
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
In this alternative to the traditional book report, students report on their novel choices that feature journeys by creating postcards one of the settings featured in their books.
Grades
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Captioning the Civil Rights Movement: Reading the Images, Writing the Words
2 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Teachers guide students to carefully view images from the Civil Rights Movement and write captions that accurately describe the images and/or their probable purposes.
Grades
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Highlighting Out-of-School Language Expertise with Pop Culture Dictionaries
6 - 12
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students compose dictionary entries for words and phrases from pop culture texts (e.g., television shows, movies, lyrics, YouTube videos), connecting their definitions to their personal use of the terms.
Grades
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Understanding Irony
8 - 10
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
This lesson enables students to define the three types of irony, identify and differentiate among examples of the types of irony, and demonstrate their understanding of each type.
Grades
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A Picture IS Worth a Thousand Words: Using Infographics to Illustrate How-to Writing
7 - 10
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students write step-by-step instructions on topics of their own choosing. Then using Piktochart, students create their own infographics to illustrate their instructions.
Grades
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Picture This: Combining Infographics and Argumentative Writing
7 - 10
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
After researching topics that the students have chosen, students write argumentative essays. Then, using Piktochart, students create their own infographics to illustrate their research.
Grades
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Picture This: Using Instagram to Report
4 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
After taking a field trip that students document using mobile app Instagram, students become new reporters as they use the interactive Printing Press to tell about their experiences.
Grades
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Aim for the Heart: Using Haiku to Identify Theme
7 - 12
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Using haiku, students focus on themes in literature and demonstrate their understanding of an author's message. Writing haiku to accompany an analytical paper hones analytical skills and fosters creative expression.
Grades
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For Argument's Sake: Playing "Devil's Advocate" with Nonfiction Texts
9 - 12
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students learn how to play "devil's advocate" by evaluating sports reforms, reading an engaging non-fiction article, and participating in a town hall meeting in which they represent the interests of various stakeholders to generate debate and develop critical thinking skills.
Grades
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Summarizing with Haikus
6 - 12
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Using the Haiku Poem App or the Haiku Poem Interactive, students summarize papers they have written using the traditional format of a haiku.
Grades
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Learning about Clouds with Haikus
4 - 6
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Using a mobile app or Interactive activity, students write haikus describing various types of clouds that they have studied.
Grades
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From Quantitative to Qualitative: Writing Descriptions of Data From Tables
9 - 12
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students develop quantitative reasoning and critical thinking by analyzing descriptions tables for content, language, and organization with a particular focus on verb tense selection, and then writing descriptions of tables themselves.
Grades
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Developing Aesthetic Criteria: Using Music to Move Beyond Like/Dislike with Poetry
9 - 10
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
In this lesson, students develop the cognitive tool of criteria development for discussing the aesthetics of poetry and music.
Grades
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Book Report Alternative: Sharing Info from Informational Reading
5 - 8
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Reporting on an informational book doesn't have to be boring! Instead of the traditional book report format, students create newspapers using a Printing Press interactive to share what they have learned from reading informational books.
Grades
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Persuade Me in Five Slides! Creating Persuasive Digital Stories
6 - 12
Lesson Plan
After students write persuasive essays, use this lesson to challenge them to summarize their essays concisely by creating five-slide presentations.
Grades
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Making the Cut: Revising Memoirs by Detecting Clutter and Confusion
6 - 10
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students improve a slide show by removing pictures. Their reasons for cutting pictures are translated into revision guidelines for cutting unnecessary words and sections from their rough drafts.
Grades
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Adventures in Nonfiction: A Guided Inquiry Journey
K - 2
Lesson Plan
| Standard Lesson
Students are guided through an informal exploration of nonfiction texts and child-oriented Websites, learning browsing and skimming techniques for the purpose of gathering interesting information.