Curated OER
Civil War General Comparison
Eighth graders compare Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. In this Civil War lesson, 8th graders research both generals and write a comparative essay. They include a paragraph about Lee, another about Grant, and one showing the...
Orange County Department of Education
Integrity and a Boy Called Slow
Fifth graders identify the character trait of integrity in the main character, Slow, in "A Boy Called Slow." They participate in a discussion to determine what steps the main character took to earn his new name. Students write an essay...
Curated OER
Using "Four-Square"
Third graders use a four-square graphic organizer to help a third grade writer organize thoughts and clarify thinking to write a simple expository paragraph, a workshop summary paragraph.
Curated OER
How do things flow in and out of a cell?
Students revise thier partner's essay. They also write the second draft of their essay for homework. Students use the Protein Explorer web site to visualize molecules, ATP, DNA, proteins and lipid bilayer. They are able to see all the...
Curated OER
Reading the Movies: Another Approach To Teaching Critical Thinking Skills And Writing
Students explore the elements of film to analyze character, action, and the themes in the movie, "Quiz Show." The lesson encourages students to make personal connections and real life applications as they view the movie, critically.
Curated OER
Hawthorne's "The Scarlet Letter"
Eleventh graders read Hawthorne's, "The Scarlet Letter" prior to doing the project. They find a contemporary person who has been shunned by society, write an essay, and give an oral presentation about the person.
Curated OER
Using the Present Perfect in Questions
In this present perfect verbs worksheet, students use 12 phrases to write 12 questions. Students also fill in the blanks in 15 phrases with "for" or since".
Curated OER
"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
In this "The Tell-Tale Heart" worksheet, students write an essay about how Edgar Allan Poe keeps the reader in suspense. The worksheet helps students construct the essay through eleven different scaffolding steps.
Curated OER
Looking at Life through the Creation of Personal Metaphors
Students focus on the creation of personal metaphors, which are first illustrated in pictures and caricatures and then extended to descriptive/analytical paragraphs. They teach the instructional activity to others using their own...
Curated OER
U.S. And Global Deforestation
Students analyze graph showing global deforestation, view photograph of deforestation in Brazil's interior rain forest and examine three maps showing deforestation within the United States, describe political, economic, and social...
Curated OER
Shifting Gears
In this activity, students will write a personal narrative that is designed to help them reflect on the nature and meaning of change in their lives.
Curated OER
The Early American Temperance/Anti-tobacco Movement
Tenth graders consider movements to regulate alcohol and tobacco use. In this Temperance Movements lesson, 10th graders compare and contrast movements in the 1800's and the modern era as they research selected primary and secondary...
Curated OER
Straight News
Young scholars review the 'Inverted Pyramid' and demonstrate their ability to outline it in a published news story. For this Inverted pyramid lesson, students read an article that is out of order and decide which order it should go in.
Curated OER
The Breakfast Busters Persuade Others
Students write persuasive essays about their favorite breakfast cereal after seeing how advertisements are used to influence people.
Curated OER
Interpreting Political Cartoons
Students review political cartoons and discuss what political impact they can have. They choose a current political cartoon and write an essay exploring its intent and impact.
Curated OER
Rubric Rating
Learners develop a rubric or scoring guide to assess newpaper articles. They rate the story and write the reasons for the rating. An Essay Scoring Guide is attached for reference.
Curated OER
How Prophet-able Are You? Ancient Advocates for Change
High schoolers read and analyze classical literature of the ancient Hebrew prophets dealing with societal injustices. They identify present-day prophets, and write an essay about how the common good would be affected if people listened...
Curated OER
Night by Elie Weisel
Students read "No News from Auschwitz" and answer the study questions as an introduction to the novel. They record reactions to the essay and compare with reactions after reading "Night".
Curated OER
African-American Inventors
Students conduct research on a variety of African-American inventors. They choose an invention that they feel has had the greatest impact on the world today and write a short summary of the invention, its impact and the inventor's...
Curated OER
Connecting Poetry with Philanthropy
Students use their knowledge of philanthropy and poetic conventions to write original poetry about philanthropic giving. In this philanthropy lesson, students write poetry based on philanthropy using poetic conventions. Students...
Curated OER
Project Based Learing: Social Responsibility
Students explore social responsibility. In this service learning lesson, students participate in 4 weekly activities that require them to research "communitarians", write poems about their contributions, and create works of art that...
Curated OER
Comparing and Analyzing Literary Works
Learners read two short stories by the same author. For each story, they identify the main structures and style of the author. They use the text to write a summary about each story and how the author used literary techniques.
Curated OER
New War Against Whom?
Seventh graders write an essay on the Muslims involved with the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. They express how the attacks made them feel and what they can do to help.
Curated OER
What Is Democracy?
Students explore the concept of democracy. They define and describe democracy and choose an issue they believe the government should care about for its people. They write a persuasive essay about their issue.