Center for History and New Media
A Look at Virginians During Reconstruction, 1865-1877
The transition between rebellion to reunification was not smooth after the Civil War. Young historians compare primary and secondary source documents in a study of the Reconstruction era in Virginia, noting the rights that were not...
NASA
Lava Layering
Take the old baking soda and vinegar volcano to the next level by using it to study repeated lava flows over time, examine geologic features on Earth and Mars, and speculate about some of the formations on Mars.
Carnegie Library
Creative Writing: Middle School Lesson Plan
Enhance a unit on historical fiction with an engaging writing lesson. Learners bring the Industrial Era to life as they compose their own historical fiction pieces based on primary source images of Pittsburgh steel workers.
Channel Islands Film
Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island: Lesson Plan 2
After watching West of the West's documentary The Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island, class members imagine how Juana Maria/Karana may have felt about living alone on the island for 18 years and craft a blackout poem or a narrative in...
Center for Civic Education
In the Shadows, Agents of Change
Most of your learners have probably heard of Martin Luther King, Jr., or Cesar Chavez, but could they also recognize the names of Betty Friedan or Dolores Huerta? Give your learners the opportunity to discover the many accomplishments of...
Curated OER
Interesting Beginnings: An Autobiographical Sketch
Students discuss the characteristics of an autobiography. Individually, they complete a graphic organizer and a timeline of events about their life. In groups, students brainstorm ideas for an interesting sentence and write an...
Curated OER
Present Perfect Tense: Just and Recently
In this present perfect tense: just and recently worksheet, students read the explanations and examples of correct usage, then interactively complete 9 sentences with immediate online feedback.
Curated OER
Progress
Students discuss how they believe Australia has progressed over time. In groups, they use the internet to research events in the country's history. They discover how democracy in the country continues to develop and analyze the race...
Curated OER
DNA and Genes
Students analyze the structure of DNA. They describe how the structure of DNA enables it to reproduce itself accurately. Students discuss genes and the sequence of nucleotides occur in DNA.
Curated OER
Las Christmas: Favorite Latino Authors Share Their Holiday Memories
Eighth graders read Las Christmas and discuss their own cultural traditions. For this holiday traditions lesson, 8th graders write their personal story about a tradition or holiday memory. Students complete all stages of writing in...
Curated OER
Recognizing Elements of a Short Story
In this elements of a short story activity, students are given definitions and must choose the element being defined. Students are also given a selection to read and answer questions about.
Curated OER
All About Me
Students explore autobiographical stories. They write about a personal experience that is significant and memorable. Students specifically explain the chosen events. They define autobiography and share their stories.
Curated OER
A Bight is Born
Students sequence and model the events leading to the formation of the southeastern coast of the United States, including the formation of the South Atlantic Bight.
Curated OER
Voices from the Holocaust: A Message of Hope
Students develop a sense of historical empathy as they discuss The Holocaust and roll play activities designed to highlight prejudice in today's society. In this Holocaust history and The Diary of Anne Frank lesson, students...
Curated OER
Out of the Dust 4
Eighth graders read the novel, "Out of the Dust," and create a free-verse poem about a treasure of their own. They use the attached checklist to evaluate their own poem.
Curated OER
Teaching Imagery with Gary Paulsen
Students read excerpts from memoirs written by Gary Paulsen as examples of how to write a narrative piece. They identify figurative language used and then they write a memoir of their own that contains imagery and figurative language.
Curated OER
A Creative Presentation
Young scholars read chapter books by Gary Paulsen. In groups, they identify imagery presented in the book. Students locate 10 quotes, categorize each quote into one of the five senses, and then organize it and create a display of their...
Curated OER
The Experience of Diary Writing
Learners read sections of Mackenzie King's diary. King was the Prime Minister of Canada during WWII. They relate the importance of keeping a diary.
Curated OER
Identify and Analyze Literary Concepts
Young scholars explore plot structure, conflict, setting, and mood. In this literary elements lesson, students read Rosa Parks, My Story and complete the provided plot outline worksheets. Young scholars discuss the text elements of...
Curated OER
Compare and Contrast Creation Stories
Students compare and contrast creation stories. In this Bible studies instructional activity, students work in groups to read and summarize creation myths and share with their peers. The class goes on to create a chart to...
Curated OER
Recounts
In this language arts worksheet, students use the graphic organizer to review the concepts needed in order to write an individual account of a significant event.
Curated OER
Sectionalism, Popular Sovereignty, and Secession
Young scholars examine sequence of national events that resulted in the Civil War by using primary sources, and creating timelines and maps.
Curated OER
Creating a Three-Dimesional Timeline
Students gather and order historical evidence surrounding the Silk Roads. They identify key people, places, and events in the history of the Silk Roads. They gain an understanding of the rich diversity of peoples and places found along...
Curated OER
Making Meaning from the Past
Learners read Ella Lyon's autobiographical poem, "Where I'm From" as the impetus to critically reflect on key images, memories, and events from their own lives and communities.