University of Missouri
eThemes
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Literature: "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep
These sites are about the novel “Dragonwings” by Laurence Yep. They include lesson plans, activities, am author interview, and information regarding Chinese immigrants in the early 1900s, early airplanes, kite making, and earthquakes. There are links to eTheme Resources on Aviation: Wright Brothers, Transportation: Aircraft, Country: China, Ancient Civilizations: China, Immigration: Angel Island, Immigration: Immigrants and Problems Encountered, Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, Writing: Essays, and Writing: Research Papers.
Grades
•6, 7, 8, 9
Links
•"Dragonwings" This website includes links to background information covered in "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep. Includes links to information on: 1906 Earthquake, Abacus, Angel Island, Buddhism, Buffalo Bill (William Cody), Calligraphy - Chinese, Chinatown, Chinese Cooking, Chinese Dynasties, Chinese Exclusion Act, Chinese Folktales/Myths and Legends, Chinese Festivals/Celebrations, Chinese Kite making, Chinese Immigration, Chinese New Year, Chinese Zodiack, Confucius/Confucianism, Dragons, Early Flying Machines, Electric Lights, and more. translate link
chapters, quizzes, activities
•A Video Interview with Laurence Yep Watch the author of "Dragonwings" talk about his love for writing and his work.(Total Running Time: 1:15) translate link
•"Dragonwings" Novel Guide This novel guide for "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep includes a novel summary, theme openers, crosscurricular activities, and research assignments. translate link
•"Dragonwings" Study Guide This study guide for the novel "Dragonwings" by Laurence Yep includes reading questions, a character chart, information about the author, essay topics, Chinese poetry, and vocabulary. translate link
•Teach Research Skills and How to Cite Sources This online articles explores how to teach middle school students to write effective research papers; including: using direct quotes in research papers, using paraphrases in research papers, and using summaries in research papers. NOTE: This site includes ads. NOTE: This site includes a discussion board (message board, forum, etc). translate link
•The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake Learn all about the San Francisco earthquake of 1906; includes: the size, account of casualities and damage, photographs, eyewitness accounts, and more about earthquakes. translate link
•The San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 Discover more about the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, including information about:destruction in the city, panic among the survivors, and a narrow escape. NOTE: This site includes ads. translate link
•Chinese Americans Learn about Chinese immigrants to America. Include information on: 1800s; 1900-1920s; 1940s, and 1950s-1970s. translate link
•Chinese Immigrants Video This video is a tribute to Chinese immigrants from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. (Total running time: 2:26) NOTE: This site includes a discussion board (message board, forum, etc). translate link
•Make Your OWn Kite This site includes step-by-step instructions for making your own kite. translate link
•How to Make and Fly Kites This website includes a history of kites, an overview of kites to make, how to fly kites, and more. NOTE: This site includes ads. translate link
•The Early History of Airplanes Learn more about the early history of airplanes, dating back to the 18th century. translate link
•Airplane Timeline Discover the major milestones in aviation with this airplane timeline. translate link
•A Trip Down Market Street: San Francisco in 1906 Video Experience San Francisco's Market Street in 1906. (Total Running Time: 12:15) NOTE: This site includes a discussion board (message board, forum, etc). translate link
•1906 San Francisco Earthquake Video See footage of San Francisco after the great earthquake of 1906. (Total Running Time: 3:49) NOTE: This site includes a discussion board (message board, forum, etc). translate link
•eThemes Resource: Aviation: Wright Brothers These sites are about the Wright Brothers and their early airplanes. Includes biographies on Wilbur and Orville that tell about their family and careers. Discover what inspired them to build planes. Contains historical photographs, movies, diaries, interviews, and simulations. There are links to eThemes Resources on Transportation: Aircraft, Aviation: Military Aircraft, and Aviation: Activities for Junior and High School Students. translate link
•eThemes Resource: Transportation: Aircraft These sites are about the history of aviation. Includes photographs of different types of aircraft, principles and concepts of flight and plane construction, women in aviation, and how to construct paper airplanes. An eThemes Resource on the Wright Brothers is linked. translate link
•eThemes Resource: Country: China Learn about China’s geography, language, culture, food, and history. Take a virtual tour of the Great Wall or view numerous photographs of Chinese people and places. Try writing Chinese characters or listen to audio files of Chinese word pronunciations. Includes many craft and classroom activities, plus interactive quizzes. There are sites for students of all ages. Includes eThemes resources on ancient civilizations of China and panda bears. translate link
•eThemes Resource: Ancient Civilizations: China Learn about ancient China. On these sites, you can read about the daily life, history, dynasties, inventions, and celebrations of the oldest continuous civilization on earth. See Chinese art, view the Great Wall, visit the terracotta army of Emperor Qin, or read about Confucius and Chinese women as warriors. translate link
•eThemes Resource: Immigration: Angel Island These sites are about Angel Island, a former immigration station in San Francisco Bay. Includes information on the experience of early Asian immigrants who came through this station. There are photos and videos of early immigration. Also includes lesson plans and suggested activities for students on the cultures of Asian immigrants. Linked are eThemes Resources on Ellis Island and immigrants in Missouri. translate link
•eThemes Resource: Immigration: Immigrants and Problems Encountered These sites discuss obstacles that immigrants encounter in the United States. Topics like exploitation, employment differences, housing problems, cultural obstacles, language barriers, and equity issues are covered. translate link
•eThemes Resource: Kites Learn how kites overcome gravity to fly. There are several lesson plans that use kites to introduce math and science concepts. Includes many instructions for making your own kite out of everyday materials. There is information about the history of kites and pictures of kites from different countries. Also learn why April is National Kite Month. Includes links to eThemes Resources on hot air balloons and basic weather concepts. translate link
•eThemes Resource: Natural Disasters: Earthquakes These sites are about earthquakes and how they are measured. Topics include plate tectonics, the Richter scale, epicenters, earthquake survival instructions, and more. Read about some of the largest earthquakes in history. There are quizzes, videos, and simulations. Included are links to eThemes Resources on the New Madrid Fault and Tsunamis. translate link
•eThemes Resource: Writing: Essays These sites focus on writing descriptive essays for Junior High and High School students. There are lesson plan and activity ideas, possible essay topics, advice for improving writing skills, tips for avoiding clich?s, and many examples of descriptive writing. Includes links to eThemes resources on research papers, persuasive writing, and 6+1 writing traits. translate link
•eThemes Resource: Writing: Research Papers These sites focus on the steps involved in writing a research paper. Learn how to brainstorm a topic, organize information, use transition words, and write bibliographies. There are tips and handouts on how to evaluate online sources, plus links to child-safe search engines. Includes links to eThemes Resources on online resources and graphic organizers. translate link
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