Curated OER
Tales from Arabia
Students read about Scheherazade and Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp. In this literature/writing lesson, students understand the excitement of foreign places as the setting for a story. Students rewrite their own version of Scheherazade.
Curated OER
Cashing In on Cartoons
Students examine the popularity of cartoon characters in marketing strategies. They work on developing their own cartoon characters that could be used for a licensing plan.
Curated OER
Why Do We Have Night?
Students engage in a fun, creative way to discover how the Earth moves. This lesson plan helps students explain why there is day and night. It can also create curiosity to further study the solar system and eclipses!
Curated OER
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Students create Thanksgiving menu and pre-dinner blessing or ritual that is sensitive to five different imaginary Thanksgiving guests from a variety of backgrounds.
Curated OER
For Richer or for Poorer
Students read about one cross-class marriage and create scenes to dramatize interactions among the family members and consider how class shapes relationships. They imagine the issues faced by cross-class couples by writing a short story.
Curated OER
Altered Books
Students transform a discarded book into a creative art work of art that encompasses a theme and utilizes a variety of media and techniques.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Classroom Constitutional Convention
Students investigate the eight phrases that comprise the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution to determine its principles and purpose. Their own Constitutional Convention is convened to craft a preamble for their school's governance.
Curated OER
The Chocolate War
Learners scrutinize the story, "The chocolate War" by Robert Cormier for examples of nonconformity in the face of power. The nature of the relationship between students in the story is compared to the associations of the reader.
Curated OER
"You Decide" Companion Lesson
Learners research capital punishment and discuss different views on the death penalty. They complete a web based activity and express how certain acts of terrorism can challenge people's views on the death penalty.
University of New Mexico
César Chávez: Migrant Farm Workers and Their Leader
During the first week of instruction, middle schoolers research biographies on Cesar Chavez and make a pictorial collage of his life. For the second and third week, they maintain a seven-day diary of a farmworker and write a poem. For...
Curated OER
The Secret Society and FitzGerald's The Great Gatsby
Learners formulate what tensions about wealth and status are revealed in The Great Gatsby. Apply how these tensions are reflected in Nick Carraway's struggle to belong. Write a "credo" for the "secret society" implied in The Great Gatsby.
Curated OER
Literary Wizardry
Students discuss what they already know about the Harry Potter series. After reading an article, they examine a critic's reaction to the latest book in the series. As a class, they brainstorm what parts of their school day could use...
Curated OER
Charlotte's Web
Students complete a variety of activities related to the book "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White. They create a comic strip based on the characters, setting, and plot of the story, and examine the author's writing process. In small groups...
Curated OER
Comparing Units of Measurement
Fourth graders investigate the units of measurement used by various Native American tribes before they had contact with the Europeans. They write research questions, conduct research using a variety of resources, in small groups write a...
Curated OER
THE TRAVELS OF BABAR: An Adventure in Scale:Saving the Elephants and Other Endangered Animals
Students comprehend the concept and causes of extinction and endangerment. They identify extinct and endangered animals. Students coordinate a plan to help endangered animals through a poster and letter writing campaign.
Curated OER
American History: The United Farm Workers (UFW) and Pesticides
Students are able to answer research questions through internet research. They write a bridf history of the UFW using research. Students are able to create resumes of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta by researching their biography.
Curated OER
Analyzing the Job Market for Babysitting in Your Neighborhood
Learners conduct research on a neighborhood in Canada. In this data analysis lesson, students use data from the 2006 Canadian census to draw conclusions about a population group.
Curated OER
Story Mapping A Favorite Book
First graders create a diagram of a story by using the computer program Kidspiration. In this diagramming lesson plan, 1st graders will pick a book to write about. They then will plug in story elements of the book into the computer...
Curated OER
Symbolism Bookmarks
Middle schoolers create a bookmark about symbolism. In this literature-based lesson plan, students study the meaning of the word symbolism. Middle schoolers read and analyze the symbolism found in "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe. Then...
Curated OER
And the Moral of the Story is...
Students retell a story using computer software. In this story elements activity, students retell the story giving the plot, setting, characters and moral using Pixie software.
Curated OER
Service Learning
Students view video clips to define service learning. In this civics instructional activity, students read quotes, take a survey, and define altruism. Students view video clips and evaluate the motivation and impact of those who perform...
Curated OER
Origin of the Purple Heart
Learners research the origin of the Purple Heart. In this writing lesson students research personal stories of friends or family who have received the Purple Heart. Learners then design their own armed forces award complete with an essay...
Curated OER
Junk Sort
Students analyze objects by one or more attributes. In this sorting lesson, students use manipulatives and string or yarn to create a sorting game. Students read books and items from the classroom to sort.
Curated OER
The Cleverest Thief
First graders read The Cleverest Thief and participate in various activities across the curriculum areas. In this story lesson plan, 1st graders arrange an anagram of the word monastery. Students complete worksheets to alphabetize and...