Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Family Sells House to Help the Hungry

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars compare their wants and needs, then read a news article about a family that downsized their home to help African villagers. In this current events and poverty in Africa lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

'No Cussing' Clubs Catching on with Kids

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students read a news article about a boy in California who wants to encourage his peers to use good language. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a short rap, discussion, and vocabulary activity, then...
Lesson Plan
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Archaeologists Reveal King Tut's Mummy

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students look at pictures of a sarcophagus, then read a news article about King Tut's mummy. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion, pictures, and a vocabulary activity, then students read the...
Lesson Plan
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Scientists Breed See-Through Frogs

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students participate in a pre-reading activity, then read a news article about the breeding of transparent frogs. In this biology and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a question and a vocabulary activity,...
Lesson Plan
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Strange Winter Weather Affects Nature, People

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students react to a series of statements about the weather, then read a news article about the affect of unusual winter weather on people and animals. In this meteorology and current events lesson plan, the teacher introduces an article...
Lesson Plan
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Cell Structure and Function

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss scientific advances brought about by the Mars Surveyor Space Program which impact on daily life, identify laboratory apparatus like microscopes, slides and coverslips, and use the microscopes to view cells and organisms.
Lesson Plan
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Elementary Concepts in Heat

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read a thermometer with accuracy, record observations and data, and infer conceptual meaning. They integrate mathematical charting and graphing skills to organize their data. They explore what happens when they touch or use...
Lesson Plan
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The Early Peoples

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students, after studying The Early Peoples, explain and give examples of how Native Americans and Europeans adapted to living in certain environments. They give examples of early cultures and settlements that existed in North America...
Lesson Plan
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You Too Can Haiku

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students conduct Internet research and explain the history of Haiku. After listening and reading various examples of Haiku, students use their own vocabulary and practice their math skills to determine the correct number of syllables...
Lesson Plan
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Drought Threatens Huge Man-Made Lake

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students locate Lake Mead, then read a news article about Lake Mead drying up and how that would effect water and power supplies to the region. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a map and vocabulary...
Lesson Plan
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Were Rivets to Blame for Titanic Sinking?

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students answer questions about the Titanic, then read a news article about possible causes of the disaster. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then students read...
Lesson Plan
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Grocery Store Bans Plastic Bags

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students participate in the paper vs. plastic bag debate, then read a news article about one grocery store that is banning plastic bags. In this current events activity, the teacher introduces the news article with a debate and a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teacher-Astronaut Offers New Lessons

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students read about teacher-in-space Barbara Morgan and life in space. In this space science and current event instructional activity, the teacher introduces the article with a vocabulary activity, then students read the news piece and...
Lesson Plan
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Prehistoric Discoveries

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars agree or disagree with several statements about ancient animals, then read a news article about recent prehistoric discoveries. In this earth science and current events instructional activity, the teacher introduces the...
Lesson Plan
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Stamps are Making News

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Young scholars analyze the cost of mailing a letter since 1917, then read a news article about the increasing stamp price and new Star Wars stamps that will be available. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article...
Lesson Plan
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Creative Can Sculptures Help Feed the Hungry

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students look at pictures of Canstruction sculptures, then read a news article about the construction of these canned food sculptures. In this current events lesson plan, the teacher introduces the article with pictures of winning...
Lesson Plan
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Building a Mini-Park and Bird Sanctuary

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students build a list of gardening vocabulary from prior knowledge of gardens. For this gardening lesson, students understand the importance of gardens to humans and animals for food, shelter, and air. Students discuss the garden in...
Lesson Plan
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Place value concepts

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders participate in classroom game to practice place value skills. In this place value instructional activity, 3rd graders recognize matching digits of the same value. Students record their numerals and their value by writing...
Lesson Plan
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Dream Houses

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Learners imagine and create their dream house.  In this comprehension and interpretation lesson, students read The Big Orange Splot, answer comprehension questions about the story and  complete a character traits web. ...
Lesson Plan
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Adding and Subtracting Money

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students investigate U.S. currency by pretending to buy food.  In this money lesson plan, students discover the vocabulary and value for each U.S. coin, then add the amounts in dollars and cents of food items they wish to purchase....
Lesson Plan
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Writing

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students practice word processing skills while writing Haiku and diamonte poems.  In this poetry computer activity, students choose  from a group of rainforest animals and write about their animal.  Students write a...
Lesson Plan
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Splendid China: Chinese Folktales

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students investigate Chinese culture by reading their folk tales.  In this creative writing lesson, students practice identifying the different elements in a folk tale and examine the related vocabulary.  Students organize...
Lesson Plan
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How Can We Write A Story Using Dr. Seuss' Writing and Illustration Style?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars write a story.  In this writing style and illustration lesson, students review elements of Dr. Seuss' writing and illustration style and read a few more books written by him, examining the writing style.  Young...
Lesson Plan
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Fabulous Fossils

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students investigate how fossils are formed. They read the book, "Digging Up Dinosaurs," examine fossil samples, create a fossil imprint using play-doh, and complete a Fossil Questionnaire activity sheet.