Spring+2010

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Sailing the World on the USS Alabama--Loree Hisken [] Grade Level: Upper Elementary Summary: Discuss the purpose of a battleship and its purpose for the US Navy, complete a KWL chart as a class about the USS Alabama. There are a few websites that specifically discuss the USS Alabama that can be visited during this discussion. After this is completed review map skills such as latitude and longitude to refresh the students' memories of previous lessons. Then divide the students into pairs and have them locate coordinates that the USS Alabama visited during her active service. Have the students use paper battleships to mark each location on their map. This lesson provides real world examples for students as they track where the USS Alabama sailed as students use a map to locate these places.

Giddy Up! It's Reference Resource Round-Up! - Liz Vannelli [] Grade Level: 5th & 6th Length of Lesson: 3 - 40 minute time periods Summary: In this lesson students learn the appropriate use of various reference materials. Students choose 6 questions from the "I Wonder" box which are from the 5th grade American History curriculum. The questions will lead students to a specific reference material; an atlas, a dictionary, an encyclopedia, an almanac, the internet or a database. Students must assess which reference material will best answer each question. Students work in pairs for this lesson. They report to the class their questions, answers, and the process they used to select appropriate reference materials. The process is really focused on as students utilize an advance organizer. This is a great lesson to teach about reference sources and facilitate research skills.

African Folktales: Anansi and the Magic Stick--Sharon Salmons [] Grade Level: First or Second Grade Summary: This lesson combines learning about folktales of various countries--including Africa--with developing skills in using both dictionaries and atlases. The students will search for vocabulary words from the story in dictionaries and will locate Africa in an Atlas. They will also listen to & participate in a reading of the book //Anansi and the Magic Stick// and then write a story about a trick that they have played in response to theis trickster's tale.