Curated OER
Rise of the Revolution
Ninth graders explore the French Revolution. In this French Revolution lesson, student research citizen action and public policy during the war. Students write essays regarding their research findings.
Curated OER
Information Extra
Students create a paragraph about a subject of their chosing that is informative. In this paragraph writing instructional activity, students use graphic organizers and work together in groups to create a full, organized paragraph. This...
Curated OER
Writing a Job Pamphlet
Students write and create a pamphlet describing the occupation they are interested in. They use the steps of the writing process to present the facts about their occupation.
PBS
Civil War: Before the War
Free the slaves! Scholars research primary documents and videos while working together to create abolitionist posters. They examine the John Brown raid as a template to creating their own demonstration.
Curated OER
Have a Backone
Students create a visual organizer that describes different groups of vertebrates in this pre-writing activity. They view and discuss a video on descriptive writing and then form small groups to research vertebrate classes using the...
Curated OER
Heroes and Role Models
Students identify heroes and role models they are familiar with. They write a paper about people they know or celebrities they admire. They research people using the Internet and other research materials.
Curated OER
Holidays and Observances: Looking at Diversity and Culture
Students share their own knowledge and experiences of holidays they observe. They research a holiday of their choice and write a report. They also create art of their holiday to complete as a pre-writing activity.
Curated OER
Traditional American Indian Lodges
Students explore the mathematical properties of traditional American Indian lodges. They examine the effect of increasing sides of a polygon, calculate the surface area of prisms and cylinders, and construct a classroom size pyramid...
Curated OER
Group Research and Reports on STDs
Students identify and list diseases that people can contract through sexual activity. They conduct Internet research on a chosen STD, write a one-page report, and create a visual aide to present to the class.
Curated OER
Write Like David Shannon
Students listen to several of David Shannon's books and identify patterns in the text. They write and illustrate a story of their own in the style of David Shannon, and share their books with classmates.
Curated OER
Writing a Book Review
Students examine the different formats book reviews can be presented. As a class, they brainstorm what they already know about writing a book review adding to a concept web. They write their own review using the tips giving to them and...
Peter Bunzl
Cogheart and Moonlocket
Peter Bunzi takes readers to the Victorian era with two stories, Coghaert and Moonlocket. Accompany the literary time warp with a companion packet that offers a plethora of exercises. Learning opportunities include activities for before,...
Curated OER
Pond Theme Unit
In this pond theme worksheet students research facts on pond life. Students complete comprehension questions, crosswords, word search, and math puzzles. Students write a short report.
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Campaign
The I-STOP law was designed to regulate the distribution and tracking of prescription drugs. After reading an article about its signing and implementation, middle and high schoolers work together to come up with their own ideas for an...
Curated OER
Cryptography Implementation
Students explore cryptology. They write a research paper on cryptography. Using linear equations, students invent a code and write a secret message. Students complete cryptography puzzles.
Penguin Books
Core Curriculum Lesson Plans for Jefferson's Sons
Thomas Jefferson lived a controversial life. A series of lesson plans shares information about Jefferson's Sons, a novel about the infamous founding father. Discussion questions and other tasks explore different points of view and cover...
Curated OER
Pre-Reading Preparation
Students explore a given historical fiction story. In groups, they research selected topics dealing with the story and determine what is fiction and what is fact. Students create a multimedia presentation about their findings and...
Curated OER
Ancient China Project
Seventh graders examine and research the political, social, and cultural aspects of China. They conduct Internet research and write and develop a research paper.
Curated OER
America 2000: Federal Round Table Discussion
Eighth graders examine the United States Constitution and identify the beliefs and values Americans follow today. In groups, they compare and contrast state's rights and federal rights and the issues affecting them. They debate the...
Curated OER
Fort Morgan
Students investigate how Mobile, Alabama was significant to the Confederacy during the Civil War. They analyze maps, read primary source documents, write a research paper on Civil War military technology, and explore the Fort Morgan...
Curated OER
From Brainstorm to Published Paper
Students investigate a topic through research, observation, and experimentation. They prepare a short science report and publish it online. Students reflect on the role of science reports in the larger scientific community.
Curated OER
Listen To What I Found Out
For this research lesson, students complete a graphic organizer to help them organize their thoughts about a research topic. At first, students engage in a class discussion which focuses on how to frame questions, establish a topic, and...
North Carolina Consortium for Middle East Studies
Missing Pieces of the Puzzle: African Americans in Revolutionary Times
What's missing from most studies of the American Revolutionary War is information about the role African Americans played in the conflict. To correct this oversight, middle schoolers research groups like the Black Loyalists and Black...
Curated OER
Strategies to Reduce Testing Stress
Try these research-based ideas in the classroom to help your pupils succeed on high-stakes tests.