Beyond Benign
Recycling Polylactic Acid
Show your class how to recycle during this simulation with polylactic acid. Pupils use a plastic cup, made of PLA, and convert it into a cleaning solution. They conclude the activity by using the newly made cleaning solution to...
Science Matters
Potential and Kinetic Energy
Everything has potential energy; learning to use it is the key to understanding all types of energy. Scholars learn the difference between kinetic and potential energy. They then apply the concept to drawing examples of both types of...
Fluence Learning
Writing an Argument: Persuasive Speeches to Students
Powerful orators make their messages compelling with a combination of factors. Learn how to be an inspirational speaker with a reading assessment activity that presents a list of persuasive speaking techniques, as well as two speeches...
PBS
NASA's Eyes on the 2017 Eclipse
How did the 2017 eclipse look in Los Angeles—or Chicago? Experience both views, plus many more, using a lesson from PBS's Space series for middle schoolers. Scholars follow the movements of the sun, moon, and Earth during the most recent...
PBS
Seasons on Earth and Mars
Winter, spring, summer, and fall—Earth experiences them all! But what about Mars? Scholars compare the planets in terms of distance, tilt, and rotation during a lesson from PBS's Space series. Great visual models of Earth and Mars, plus...
Smithsonian Institution
Our Story: Duke Ellington and Jazz
Get parents or guardians into the swing of things with a jazzy homework assignment. A detailed six-page guide provides before, during, and after reading suggestions for Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra, Andrea Davis...
Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, University of Texas at Austin
Lesson 17 - Adding Suffixes That Change Base Words' Finally to I
If it ends in a y, change the y to i when adding a suffix like -ness, -ly, or fy. The final activity in the Word Recognition and Fluency series of 17 explains when to change the final letter in a base word to i before adding a suffix....
Poetry4kids
How to Write a Limerick
Add a little fun and fancy to English language arts with an activity that challenges scholars to write a limerick. Authors follow five rules in order to compose an original poem that contains a specific rhyme scheme.
College Board
AP® English Language and Composition: The Rhetoric
Does it seem impossible to make academic growth with advanced learners? Without rigorous instruction, it likely is impossible. The AP® English Language and Composition: The Rhetoric offers a complete resource for educators teaching...
Pace University
The Harlem Renaissance - The Journey to Freedom: An Interdisciplinary
The Harlem Renaissance if the focus of a carefully crafted, interdisciplinary unit designed to introduce middle schoolers to the contributions key figures made to American art and culture during the period. Class members select...
EngageNY
Author’s Craft: Poetry and Prose
During a drama circle, scholars closely examine the play created in the play A Midsummer Night's Dream. The pupils read Act 3 Scene 1 and turn and talk to their partners about the scene. They then complete a handout and discuss the...
American Battlefield Trust
Jeremiah Handley
Designed for middle school scholars, a instructional activity explores the life of Jeremiah Handley, a young man when the Civil War broke out. Pupils read Handley's personal story, accounts of battles, and view images to understand what...
Curated OER
Gettysburg 360
An interactive site allows scholars to explore the Gettysburg battlefield up close, read soldiers' accounts, and view images of the event. In addition, enrichment activities enhance young historians' experience with Gettysburg 360.
Digital Public Library of America
A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
A set of 14 primary sources provides background for a study of Lorraine Hansberry's drama, A Raisin in the Sun. Featured are images from stage productions of the play, white supremacy protests, a clip from a television interview, and...
Anti-Defamation League
Lonnie Chavis of 'This Is Us' Writes about Racism
Scholars read and discuss an essay by 12-year-old actor Lonnie Chaves about racism, paying close attention to how racism presents itself in interpersonal and institutional ways. Learners reflect on how they experience or witness racism...
Curated OER
Reading Comprehension: Antarctica
In this comprehension worksheet, students read a short passage about Antarctica, then complete 3 short answer questions. Worksheet contains link to additional activities.
Curated OER
Enrichment Activities - "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH"
Fifth graders read the novel "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH." They discuss the various characters in the book, and the different types of conflict that take place within the book. They also research owls and rats to make comparisons...
Curated OER
Reading Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie
Students explore Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie. In this reading comprehension lesson, students answer questions and define vocabulary words before, during, and after reading the book Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie.
Curated OER
Yellowstone
As a motivating reading experience, this passage on Yellowstone National Park should appeal to learners of all ages. This 10 question worksheet has both comprehension and vocabulary activities. It could be used for ESL with older...
Curated OER
With malice toward none, with charity for all: The life of Abraham Lincoln
Students research Abraham Lincoln in a variety of ways. In this Abraham Lincoln lesson plan, students use primary sources, vocabulary activities, books, and more to research and learn about Abraham Lincoln.
Curated OER
Reading Freedom on the Menu
Students apply specific reading strategies to answer questions about the selection Freedom on the Menu. In this reading comprehension lesson, students read a selection called Freedom on the Menu and use specific reading strategies to...
Curated OER
Clowns
Students read books, learn about the letter c, and eat with clown noses on to learn about clowns. In this clowns lesson plan, students also have a parade where they dress like clowns.
Curated OER
Fun in the Sun
Students learn about safe summertime play and responsibility. In this Clifford-themed lesson plan, students read Clifford Keeps Cool, use a time line to discuss the story, and participate in a summertime picnic activity.
Curated OER
Hamsters
Students read books, learn about the letter h, and eat apples all to learn about hamsters. In this hamsters lesson plan, students also use play dough to make hamsters.