National First Ladies' Library
Building a Federal Town: Washington, DC
Young scholars create a timeline of the history of Washington, D.C. from 1787 to 1879. Using the internet, they read specified articles about the design of the capital and city of Washington DC. Middle schoolers write a newspaper article...
Curated OER
Adjective Recognition Practice
For this adjectives practice worksheet, students read an informative lesson. Students then respond to 10 questions that require them to identify all of the adjectives in each of the sentences.
Curated OER
Context Clues
Students practice identifying the meanings of unknown words using context clues. In this vocabulary lesson plan, students read sentences which contain an unknown words. They will use the context of the sentence to determine the...
Curated OER
Demystifying Mood in Creative Writing
Learners discover how writing is affected by mood and emotions. They learn proper mood descriptors and read sample pieces of writing to better explain mood.
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Dramatic Dilemmas
Students read The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost, and develop skits that deal with projecting possible long-term impacts of decisions, and taking risks.
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New Kid on the Block
Students become familiar with the problems of new students and interview new students to understand their experiences when they first arrived. In this new students lesson, students design informational packages to help a new...
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Understanding Religious Clothing
Students explore the concept of religious clothing. In this Teaching Tolerance lesson plan, students examine misconceptions and stereotypes regarding religious clothing as they read selected articles and discuss their impressions.
Curated OER
Poetry for Home: Homelessness
Students read a poem to learn about homelessness. In this poetry lesson, students make a list of words about their home and then feelings about their home. Students read the poem 'When I Think Home' and then write their own version of...
Curated OER
9-11: Looking Back...Moving Forward
Students watch and discuss a video about teens living in and around New York and how 9-11 changed their lives. They answer discussion questions, read and discuss newspaper/magazine articles, take a self-test on depression, and create a...
Curated OER
Tuck Everlasting and Economic Decision-Making
Sixth graders use a decision-making grid and list the alternatives and criteria for deciding to drink the Water of Immortality. They examine advertisements and list the product for sale, where it is sold, and why consumers should buy it,...
Curated OER
Inventing and Presenting Unit 1: Analyzing Nonfiction and Inventing Solutions
Students read about and identify patterns in the invention process. Students discuss and write about information learned from research. Students compile a list of problems, choose one, write a problem statement, and compile a list of at...
Curated OER
Writing A Summary - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Middle schoolers explore short stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In this literature lesson, students read one of his short stories listed and then summarize the story in a written piece.
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Playing with Language: Tall Tales and Codes
Young scholars interpret and identify the elements of folktales, with an emphasis on tall tales, in this lesson. Students utilize brainstorming techniques to list ways people communicate. Young scholars also read and create a time line...
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How Can Citizens Participate?
Students discuss the role of citizens in society and in government. Working in groups, students list ways in which individuals can participate in government as well as the advantages and disadvantage of that participation. Each group...
National First Ladies' Library
Rock the Vote! But When?
Middle schoolers research and examine about voting turnouts in the United States and around the world. They assess about various aspects of the so-called "youth vote," and have an opportunity to consider the meaning of the vote in a...
Curated OER
Stories That Grow on Trees
Students create their own plot-choice story after reading and discussing a commercially published plot-choice book.
Curated OER
The Environment In The News
Middle schoolers explore environmental issues. Using a newspaper, students scan headlines for articles related to environmental or sustainability issues. From the article title, middle schoolers predict the article's intent and then read...
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A True Story Appalachia
Students engage in a reading activity to learn about the Appalachia Mountains. The use of literature is important to provide context for the geography lesson. This lesson is strong because it allows the teacher to teach across the...
Curated OER
Whitewater Canal State Historic Site: A Journey into the Past
Students examine the history of the Whitewater Canal Historic Site. They read and discuss an informational handout, define key vocabulary terms, and complete various math and science word problems.
Curated OER
Cinco De Mayo Lesson Plans
Cinco de Mayo lesson plans allow teachers to discuss the history of this holiday, and engage students in a wide variety of activities.
Curated OER
Predicting the Past
Pupils study how archaeologists record the past. They discuss archaeology and artifacts. They view a list of artifacts discovered by Marquette at the Illinois Village and answer questions regarding them. They complete a test about three...
Curated OER
By Golly By Gum
Learners identify the different steps in the scientific method. For this inquiry lesson, students determine the mass of the gum after chewing it for sometime. They explain what happens to the lost mass.
Curated OER
Celebrate Commencement with Class Presentations
Bring the year to a satisfying close by asking class members to reflect on the year in personalized graduation speeches.
National Geographic
Mapping the Shape of Everest
With Mount Everest as the motivator, your earth science class learns about topographic maps. Begin by showing a film clip from The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest, featuring fearsome virtual imagery of a path up world's tallest...