Thinking and Writing

Writing: Define the Concept NEWT (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. The term “NEWT” can be clearly understood as you bring the concept into focus with your communicated meaning. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Amphibians of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Explain the Process of Planning Pet Ownership (middle/high)

Writing and following directions are important skills to have when putting something together, repeating an experiment, or learning new techniques. This activity helps students describe how they would plan for a new pet. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Amphibians of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Position Paper on Property Rights (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students explore opposing viewpoints and strengthens the ability to research topics and empathize with others. Argue for or against protecting land for biodiversity. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the amphibians of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Create a Promotional Flyer for Feeding Wildlife (middle/high)

Creating a powerful, single-paged sales or informational flyer is a fast and affordable way to get information out to the public. This assignment encourages a deeper understanding of how feeding wildlife can help or hurt species. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Mammals of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Explain the Process of Reproduction in Unusual Species (middle/high)

Writing and following directions are important skills to have when putting something together, repeating an experiment, or learning new techniques. This activity helps students describe montreme or marsupial mammals. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Mammals of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Personal Essay on Intimidation (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students communicate their ideas, observations and opinions regarding feeling intimidated. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Mammals of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Position Paper on Animal Management in National Parks (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students explore opposing viewpoints and strengthens the ability to research topics and empathize with others. Argue for or against animal management activites in National Parks. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Mammals of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Business Venture Report on Fund Raising (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. A venture report provides details about a business, entrepreneur or team. Help the reader learn something new about the business or industry as you describe the relationship between business and charity. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Mammals of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Basic Research for Fish (upper/middle/high)

This assignment develops basic research skills that provide background information for future writing or reports. This activity helps students learn about fish. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Fish of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Inquiry Search for Fish (middle/high)

In this paragraph and essay writing activity you will satisfy your curiosity about fish. Create a report that helps others understand what you have learned using a variety of resources. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Fish of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Basic Inquiry for Flying Invertebrates (upper/middle/high)

Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students learn about flying insects of their choice. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Invertebrates of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Basic Inquiry for Wingless Invertebrates (upper/middle/high)

Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students learn about the wingless insects and bugs of their choice. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Invertebrates of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Inquiry Search for Flying Invertebrates (middle/high)

In this paragraph and essay writing activity you will satisfy your curiosity about flying insects and bugs. Create a report that helps others understand what you have learned using a variety of resources. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Invertebrates of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Basic Inquiry for Land Mammals (upper/middle/high)

Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students learn about a non-flying land mammal of their choice. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Mammals of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Basic Research for Land Mammals (upper/middle/high)

This assignment develops basic research skills that provide background information for future writing or reports. This activity helps students learn about non-flying land mammals. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Mammals of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Promotional Flyer Describing Plant Fiber Textiles (middle/high)

Students create a single-paged sales and informational flyer describing the qualities of a clothing product made from plant fibers. One of a series of focused writing activities based on abcteach's Plant Kingdom PowerPoint presentations, in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Define the Concept of Plant Defenses (middle/high)

In this paragraph and essay writing assignment students use their own ideas to define the abstract term defense in relation to plant survival strategies. One of many focused writing activities based on abcteach's Plant Kingdom PowerPoint presentations in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Personal Essay on Your Favorite Fruit or Vegetable (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students communicate their ideas, observations and opinions regarding their favorite food that is derived from a plant: fruit, vegetable, grain or berry. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Plant Kingdom PowerPoint presentations found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Position Paper on Food Irradiation (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students explore opposing viewpoints and strengthens the ability to research topics and empathize with others. Argue for or against the irradiation of food to protect people against food-borne illnesses. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Plant Kingdom PowerPoint presentations found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Unit: Invisibility (upper elem/middle)

This unit draws on creative writing and thinking, starting with a "What if..." and progressing through news articles, point-of-view writing, and much more. Great for group work or individual projects.

Writing Prompt: Moving (upper elem/ middle)

Moving to a new place is exciting...

How to Argue.... Using Fallacies

This thorough unit is packed with information about some of the most common fallacies: how to spot them, and how to avoid them.

How to Argue.... Using Fallacies (part II)

Categorical syllogisms, illicit majors, equivocation, amphiboly, and more... it sounds tricky, but this unit clears away the confusion.

Speech: I Have a Dream (upper/middle/high)

Excerpts from Martin Luther King's "I have a dream" speech are reviewed in writing prompts, with an emphasis on rhetoric. Adaptable to a range of grades.

Poster: Fallacy - Package Deal

Poster defines the fallacy and gives examples. "Mick likes spiders, so he'll be pleased to find some in his shirt."

Poster: Fallacy - Slippery Slope

Poster defines the fallacy and gives examples. "Cats have kittens. So don't get a cat if you don't want to be a crazy cat lady with a house full of cats."

Poster: Fallacy - Ad Hominem

Poster defines the fallacy and gives examples. "Jack said Susan didn't cheat, but he is a thief, so she probably did cheat."

Poster: Fallacy - Traditional Wisdom

Poster describes the fallacy and gives examples. "Of course we should drive big cars. We've always driven big cars."

Writing: Problem Analysis Concerning Safety Issues at Zoo Facilities (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity asks students to consider a zoo safety issue and offer a solution. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings available in the Zoo Theme Unit.

Writing: Case Study of a Human and Animal Bond (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. A case study requires that you investigate and describe the experiences of one or a few in a way that helps your reader understand that there are many others in similar circumstances. Develop an understanding of the postive personal relationships between humans and animals. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Create a Promotional Flyer for an Animal Shelter (middle/high)

Creating a powerful, single-paged sales or informational flyer is a fast and affordable way to get information out to the public. This assignment encourages a deeper understanding of the animal shelter business. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Personal Essay about a Domestic Animal (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students communicate their ideas, observations and opinions regarding their experience with a pet or farm animal. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Position Paper on Animal Rights (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students explore opposing viewpoints and strengthens the ability to research topics and empathize with others. Argue for or against an animal rights issue. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Create a Promotional Flyer for Visitors to Coral Reefs (middle/high)

Creating a powerful, single-paged sales or informational flyer is a fast and affordable way to get information out to the public. This assignment encourages a deeper understanding of how we can protect coral reefs. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Invertebrates of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Explain the Process of Invertebrate Live Cycles (middle/high)

Writing and following directions are important skills to have when putting something together, repeating an experiment, or learning new techniques. This activity helps students describe animal life cycles. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Invertebrates of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Create a Promotional Flyer for Fish Menu Specials (middle/high)

Creating a powerful, single-paged sales or informational flyer is a fast and affordable way to get information out to the public. This assignment encourages a deeper understanding of the food service industry. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Fish of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Position Paper on Legal Issue Involving Fish (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students explore opposing viewpoints and strengthens the ability to research topics and empathize with others. Argue for or against laws involving fish. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Fish of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Position Paper on Habitat Loss (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students explore opposing viewpoints and strengthens the ability to research topics and empathize with others. Argue for or against human activities that might affect bird populations. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Birds of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Define the Concept Reptilian Brain (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. The term “Reptilian Brain” can be clearly understood as you bring the concept into focus with your communicated meaning. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Reptiles of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.

Writing: Personal Essay on Artful Uses of Amphibians (middle/high)

Paragraph and essay writing assignment for middle school, junior high and high school students. Satisfy your curiosity and write your own ideas about an assigned topic. This activity helps students communicate their ideas, observations and opinions regarding the use of amphibians to entertain or inspire us. One of many focused and fun creative writing offerings based on the Birds of the Animal Kingdom PowerPoint presentation found in the Living on Planet Earth Series.