Curated OER
On the Beach: Disabled and Mother's Pride
What do an early 20th century poet and a 1980's rock star have in common with a novel from the 1960's? Using Wilfred Owen's poem "Disabled" and George Michael's song "Mother's Pride," learners answer questions about the lyrics and themes...
Phantom of Opera
The Phantom of the Opera: Ideas for Research and Discussion
You could spend a full day discussing The Phantom of the Opera and not scratch the surface, but a set of lessons about the literary elements and themes of the musical production is a great start. Young thespians build upon the background...
Novelinks
The View From Saturday: Concept/Vocabulary Analysis
Design your unit on The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg with a concept and vocabulary analysis resource. It outlines the plot, literary elements, vocabulary issues, and any possible considerations for planning a differentiated...
Curated OER
Beach Theme
Students practice b words, search for sea shells, write on beach post cards, and more, all to learn about the beach. Students also wear sun hats around the room.
Curated OER
Dreams, Stars, and Beaches
Compare and contrast ideas, hopes and dreams with those of Cassie in Faith Ringgold's, Tar Beach. your students can entries in their journals expressing their ideas.
Japan Society
The Bubble Economy and the Lost Decade
Explore Japanese society and national identity. Class members share ideas about the Japanese economy and then investigate a series of resources, including an article, a film, a lecture, and a poem, to learn about Japan's Bubble Economy...
Curated OER
Sample Lesson Plan, 3rd-5th grade, Interpretation
Students become acquainted with the art and literature of artist/author Faith Ringgold.
Curated OER
Exploring Film Genres for Telling Hero Stories: Experimental Shorts
Students design and create an experimental film to express a theme or concept regarding heroism. They establish shots of locations, write dialogue, create montages and subjective footage.
Curated OER
Marine Poetry
Young scholars identify characteristics of good poetry and compose their own. In this marine poetry lesson, students are introduced to several different types of poetry with a marine theme. After discussing the elements that make up a...
Curated OER
Painted Dreams
Third graders explore the importance of art in Haitian culture by analyzing the cause and effect within the story, "Allie's Basketball Dream." They examine all the aspects of the story and characters including their goals, dreams,...
Curated OER
Monet Goes Outdoors
Students examine the artwork of Monet to appreciate different types of art. The appreciation of his various styles is used to inspire learners to create their own similar works of art.
Curated OER
Being Grateful
Students consider feelings about the things we have. They look at their friends, their home, possessions, and things given to us and if we take them for granted, wish for something else, or are grateful for them. Students reflect on how...
Curated OER
Writing Descriptive Paragraphs
Show a Powerpoint presentation about descriptive writing. Fourth graders brainstorm a list of writing topics and place them in graphic organizers. Then they write their own paragraphs describing topics of their choice and create...
Curated OER
Create Your Own Florida Murals
Students study a mural that represents life in Florida. They choose one portion of the mural and redraw it showing what the character in that portion would be doing next. (Is the person headed to the beach? Where the bird fly next? etc.)
Curated OER
Folktales
Fourth graders read a Haitian folktale. They study main characters in Haitian folktales and explore multicultural information about Haiti. They clarify understanding by retelling a sentence (paraphrasing) and a passage in their own...
Curated OER
Celebrating Nature: The Landscape
Eighth graders identify and explore the painting style of Fauve artists. They examine the works of Matisse and Derain. Students discuss the non-traditional use of color in Fauve paintings. They create a landscape painting representing...
Curated OER
Scale from the Solar System to a Monster Bee
Sixth graders are introduced to the concept of scale. As a class, they create a model of the solar system taking into account the scale between the planets and the Sun. To end the instructional activity, they examine "Dina the Monster...
Curated OER
Paint a Picture
Young scholars participate in a visualization exercise. Then listen to an excerpt from a story and discuss what they 'see.' Finally, they read silently and draw a picture of what they visualized in their heads. They explain their...