National First Ladies' Library
Who Invented Crayons?
Pupils use a specified website to study the history of Crayola crayons. In groups, they discover who invented the colors, their cost, and who thought of the name. Students create a timeline of Crayola colors and choose one project from...
Curated OER
Where Do Canadians Live?
Students investigate Canadian people by researching the geography of the country. In this world geography instructional activity, students identify locations within Canada with large populations based on their access to waterways....
Curated OER
Trust
Students define trust. In this social skills lesson plan, students read The Other Side and interact with their classmates to define what trust is.
Curated OER
Where is Flat Stanley?
Students create a story map of the basic elements and significant events of the book Flat Stanley. Students brainstorm places they would like to visit if they had been flattened and then, write about an imagined experience. Students...
Curated OER
Why Is Water So Important to My Community?
Students read and listen to stories and sayings in New Mexico families. Using the text, they discoer the values and beliefs of a culture. They reflect on the meanings of symbols related to water. They discover the importance water has...
Curated OER
Featured Artist
Students investigate the art exhibit known as a biennial. This is an exhibit that occurs every two years. They observe works of the artist before visiting the exhibit in order to create a context for new knowledge that will be covered on...
Curated OER
I Think I Forgot Something!
Students examine human health by reading a children's book in class. In this breakfast activity, students identify the importance of starting the day with a good, nutritious meal. Students read the book I Think I Forgot Something and...
Curated OER
Dealing With Tragedy in the Classroom
Students compose a letter, organize a group effort, discuss the idea of patriotic symbols and explain their importance, use visual representations to express feelings and explain the importance of sustained volunteerism.
Curated OER
Mosaic: Press-in Method
Students create individual press-in mosaics using a variety of bought and found objects.
Curated OER
Going West
Students examine the lives of early pioneers who traveled west for better opportunities. They listen to story "Josafina and the Story Quilt", and discuss hardships encountered by traveling families. Students then complete research and...
Curated OER
Rooster's Night Out
First graders complete interdisciplinary activities associated with a folktale from Cuba. In this Cuban folktale lesson, 1st graders read the Rooster's Night Out, before completing comprehension worksheets, make recipes, and...
Curated OER
Spend, Save or Donate
Students identify the difference between spending, saving, and donating. They brainstorm reasons to give and options to donate. They sing a song about donating to charity.
Curated OER
Apple Exploration!
Students explore a variety of classroom stations about apples and Johnny Appleseed.
Curated OER
Learning About Honesty
Students read a short story about honesty, a character skill. They then answer comprehension questions and discuss the story with their classmates as well as study about the consequences of not telling the truth.
Curated OER
Grandparents' Day: Family History
Pupils explore Grandparents' Day. They interview their grandparents and select an activity to highlight their interview. They select a project including writing an essay, composing a song, creating a poem or scrapbook, or writing a...
Curated OER
Dramatizing Fables
Young scholars familiarize themselves with fables by listening to several of them. They define fables. They identify the moral of a specific fable. They identify characters, plot and sequence of events. They create a mask of a character...
Curated OER
Making Good Decisions
Students explore the consequences of their actions. For this personal choices lesson, students practice balancing different interests involved in compromise. This lesson includes downloadable materials and 2 extension activities.
Curated OER
Buckets of Bucks for World Hunger
Students participate in a nonprofit organization activity for hunger outreach problems. In this service project lesson, students practice counting coins, complete a service project for a hunger outreach, discuss nutrition and healthy...
Curated OER
Cinderella - Digital Storytelling
Pupils analyze four versions of the Cinderella story. In this fairy tale analysis lesson, students read four versions of Cinderella and work in groups to identify the plot for each. Pupils illustrate the stories and use Movie Maker...
Curated OER
The Letter Aa
Students explore letter Aa. In this letter recognition lesson, students participate in country, state, food, literature, physical education, colors, careers, music, and game activities that are linked to the main lesson page....
Curated OER
Gingerbread Baby
Young scholars explore gingerbread stories. In this poetry lesson plan, students read the folk tale "The Gingerbread Man" as well as Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett and identify rhyming words. Young scholars also make art projects,...
Curated OER
Batter Up
Students explore personal achievement by reading a children's book. In this story analysis lesson, students read the book Batter Up, by Sue Muller Hacking and discuss the main character in the story and the actions that she takes to meet...
Curated OER
Little Red Hen
First graders explore biology by identifying plant anatomy in class. In this botany lesson, 1st graders read the book The Little Red Hen and identify the methods used in order to grow successful plants. Students discuss other ways people...
Curated OER
Friendship Begins with A Smile
Students examine the emotions behind different facial expressions. They explain how it feels when someone smiles at them and practice smiling and speaking to someone with eye contact. They also demonstrate the characteristics of active...