Curated OER
What Personal Journals Tell Us
Pupils read primary source journals from the Nebraska Western Trails Project. They work in groups to analyze the journal entries and complete a worksheet. Students then write an individual essay on the experience and consider what kind...
Curated OER
Integtrating Chinese Dance
Young scholars investigate the concept of Chinese dance and how it developed. They practice some of the dances and conduct research the contributions of major choreographers. Students describe the history and cultural significance of...
Curated OER
Adopted Grandparents
Learners participate in an adoptive grandparent program. They visit a nursing home, and participate in various activities throughout the school year that involve writing, crafts, timelines, and music projects.
Curated OER
The Penguin Legend
Students look at the pictures of penguins on the Penguin page and select one they would like to write a legend about.
Curated OER
A Courtin' We Will Go
Young scholars investigate dialect in poetry as an indication of a people's culture in literature. They write a poem about dating in this era.
Curated OER
Book Cover
Students choose chapter book and prepare front cover for the chapter using a drawing made with any art materials. They can include a scene from the chapter, title, author etc. They then write a summary of the chosen chapter.
Curated OER
Settlers: Creating Family Trees & Historical Plays
Young scholars conduct research about the founding families of their communities. They compile historical contexts for the era and develop a family tree and historical skit with their findings.
Curated OER
The Importance of Scribbling and Doodling
Ninth graders discuss what journaling means to them and discovers that it does not always have to be writing. Using the Internet, they research the different types of journaling and chooses one that meets their own style. They make...
Curated OER
So What's New?
Learners write a story telling the news to someone who has not been around for three years.
Curated OER
December
Students create snowflake similes, Kwanzaa plaques, menorah banners, and more for the month of December. In this December activities lesson plan, students also analyze characters in How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Curated OER
Building a "Toolbox for Difference"
Students discover how race and gender relate to their sense of civic obligation. As a class, they create a 3-D toolbox for making a difference in their community or the world. They write an essay to accompany it explaining the design and...
Curated OER
Journalism: Following Your Lead
Young scholars, in groups, identify the components of news article lead sentences. They visit other classrooms and take notes identifying the lead components on the lesson. Students search local and national newspapers for leads that...
Curated OER
Persuasion
Students explore the characteristics of a persuasive letter. They label each characteristic and they create a persuasive letter using the correct business letter format. Students recommend a school rule or change of a rule and justify...
Curated OER
Weather Watchers - Interdisciplinary
Learners investigate weather and climate through a variety of interdisciplinary activities.
Curated OER
To Whom It May Concern
Fourth graders produce and peer edit typed rough drafts of the business letters following the guidelines illustrated in the Eight Essential Parts of a business letter and save to disks. They complete the Where's the Math? scavenger hunt...
Curated OER
The Kite Runner: What is Afghanistan Like Today?
After completing Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, readers research a topic of interest and prepare a five-minute presentation, and share their findings with the class.
Curated OER
The Imagine Poetry & Mural Lesson
Readers of all ages can work together in groups to create original poetry on the theme of "Imagine," inspired by John Lennon's classic song. They also create a mural to illustrate their poetry. A beautiful lesson, inspired by a beautiful...
Curated OER
Mary Todd Tours the World
Pupils analyze how distinguishing another culture encourages us to respect each other. They research culture and all its avenues, recognizing and comprehending the relationship between people and geography. Ultimately, they can apply...
Curated OER
Tech Integration Project Lesson Accelerator: Project Overview
Talk about technology in the classroom. This plan has all the resources needed to create a non-linear or branching story. Included is a step-by-step tutorial that walks middle schoolers through the project description, a model of a...
Curated OER
Brain Breaks to Liven Up the School Day!
Short brain breaks increase engagement and encourage teamwork in elementary, middle school, and even high school classrooms.
Curated OER
Math News
Young writers design and publish a newsletter with articles that demonstrate knowledge of mathematical concepts. They explain mathematical procedures and basic operations in a news article format. Next, they compile several articles to...
Mary Pope Osborne, Classroom Adventures Program
Dinosaurs Before Dark
Young readers travel back to the time of the dinosaurs in this literature unit based on the story Dinosaurs Before Dark. Intended for use with upper-elementary special education young scholars, this resource provides reading...
Incredible Art
Artist Research Scrapbook
Art students get a chance to investigate a favorite artist in this two-week activity that asks them to research the life, the style, and the society in which the artist lived, and then to create a scrapbook for their subject. To conclude...
Curated OER
Rituals, Scapegoats, and Mobs...Oh My!
One way to teach "The Lottery," a suspenseful and rich short story by Shirley Jackson.