Facing History and Ourselves
Socratic Seminar
New to the socratic seminar format? Check out a resource that not only provides the rationale for the procedure and step-by-step directions, but also provides a list of suggested topics, rules and model statements.
Curated OER
Goldilocks and the Real Bears
Students participate in a comparison lesson where they compare fictional bears to real life bears. In this science/language arts lesson, students read Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Students observe characteristics of these fictional...
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Predicting the Future
Students examine how scientists predict the effects of global climate change. In this environmental science lesson, students participate in a discussion about using computer generated data to create climate predictions. Students examine...
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Twenty and Ten
Fourth graders examine moral choices faced by Gentiles during the Holocaust and the role of the rescuer.
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Bugs-Eye View
Students research different bugs and insects and write letters from bugs' and insects' points of view to humankind.
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Rhythm & Improv: Jazz & Poetry
Students analyze the elements of poetry and jazz. In this critical thinking skills lesson, students take a closer look at the rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, form, free verse, lyricism, and imagery that exist is jazz as well as poetry.
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Where is the Science?: Design as an Introduction to the Scientific Method
High schoolers work to create a design that will protect an egg from being dropped from a one story floor. They test their prototype after it is completed. They write clear instructions and link aspects of the design process to the...
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Knowledge or Instinct? Jack London's "To Build a Fire"
Young scholars examine the relationship of man and nature in "To Build a Fire" and discuss the juxtaposition of knowledge and instinct. They investigate third person, omniscient point of view.
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Discovering Dinosaurs
Third graders use an online database to gather information about five dinosaurs that are of interest to them. Using a chart, they record their length, height and two interesting facts for each dinosaur. They draw a picture of the...
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Breaking it Down
Pupils discover how water expands when frozen during a glacier. In this matter lesson, students fill a glass jar with water, leaving no room for air in the jar and place it in the freezer. Pupils retrieve the jar and notice the...
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Which Bear?
Students study bears. In this science lesson, students compare black, grizzly and polar bears. Students measure the bear tracks and compare the bear habitats and diet.
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Expanding Children's Geographic and Economic Worlds
Students learn their addresses and gain a sense of connection between their neighborhood and the rest of the world and the universe.
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Shark Surprise
Students create a card game to review and reinforce their familiarity with different types of fish. They create and draw matching fish on index cards and label the pictures. They play the game to collect as many pairs as possible.
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The Legend of the Poinsettia
Learners explore the poinsettia and its symbolism as a Christmas flower. Students will listen to a story about the poinsettia and its origins in Mexico and discuss what they know about Mexico. They will discuss the poinsettia's...
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Changes at Log City
Students draw three different murals of a rotting log. In this science lesson, students draw a rotting log including organisms found, one with the decomposers left behind, and the third predictions as to what they log will look like....
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Observation: It's A Natural!
Students play the role of naturalist in their own community just as Thoreau was in his. They observe their communities looking for positive and negative aspects on the environment. They work together in groups to complete a model for...
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Boundary Crossing
Seventh graders explore the issues that arose as a result of boundary crossing. In this US History instructional activity, 7th graders research supreme court cases in regards to crossing boundaries. Students present their findings to...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Family Voices In As I Lay Dying
Learners analyze William Faulkner's 'As I Lay Dying' and his use of multiple voices. In this William Faulkner lesson plan, students analyze Faulkner's use of multiple voices in narration. Learners examine the Bundren family through the...
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Introducing Visual Literacy
Students view examples of images and discuss why a director or writer chose these images. Using different forms of media, they develop their own standards by which to judge television or films. They discover the use of visual literacy...
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America's Favorite Landmarks
Students research using Google Earth a variety of websites to explore America's most prominent and famous buildings. They then compare and contrast architectural styles and write a position paper defending or arguing against their chosen...
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Responding to Terrorism: Policy Options
Students examine how the United Nations should respond to terrorism. They analyze the issues relating to the policy on terrorists. They participate in a debate to share their views.
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Design Your Perfect Career
Learners incorporate the design process to create their own perfect job or career. For this career design lesson, students develop questions to research for a future career choice. Learners brainstorm about their personal skills to use...
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The Election Is in the House: The Denouement
Young scholars research the US Presidential election of 1824. They explain why the election of 1824 was decided in the House of Representatives. They summarize relevant portions of the Constitution on presidential election procedures.
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A Study of Plants
Using a variety of multi-media resources, your high schoolers become familiar with the parts of plant and create a story about plants using vocabulary learned during their research of plants. Completed stories are published using the...