Curated OER
Supporting Character Worksheet
Where would Harry Potter be without Ron Weasley? Where would Holmes be without Watson? Where would a good narrative be without an interesting supporting character? Encourage character analysis with this resource, which includes six...
EduGAINs
Preparation for Transitions and Change— Guidance and Career Education
Every hopeful in your class has gone through some kind of life change, from parents' divorce to a death in the family to moving up into another grade. Encourage them to discuss these changes, the skills they used and acquired during...
Teaching Tolerance
Fairness Fair
How can we create a more fair world? Chances are, class members have some ideas! After reading a text about fairness, individuals create skits around the ideas of fairness. Extend the learning and make their presentations a...
Curated OER
Communication 5: Defending Your Rights
Students role play situations where they communicate and defend themselves. In this communication lesson plan, students defend their rights by being assertive.
Curated OER
Honoring Neighborhood Heroes
Read biographies and use the internet to research stories of courage.Young writers compare and contrast characteristics that societies value. They write reports about their family and community's heroes.
Curated OER
Appalachia: Physical Fitness
Students plan a family fitness outing. In this physical education lesson plan, students will research possible physical activities which might be completed by a family during a daily-long outing in the Appalachian area. Students will...
Curated OER
Making Peace
Students examine how African societies view their family and ancestors and settle disputes. They create a spirit doll, and role-play conflict resolution using the ancestor figure dolls.
Curated OER
Plan a Meal Fun
Discuss helping with the family grocery shopping. View a teacher drawn map of a grocery store and discuss where the breads, meats, and dairy products are located. Practice categorizing foods as breads and cereals, fruits, vegetables,...
Curated OER
Wisconsin Heritage Timeline
Fourth graders explore why groups of immigrants settled in Wisconsin. Through intervies with family members, printed materials, and internet research, 4th graders discover the contributions early residents made to the state. Students...
Curated OER
Health Education: Stress 2
Fourth graders investigate how to deal with stress. In this personal health lesson plan, 4th graders identify family, school, and community resources as sources of social support to reduce or prevent stress.
Curated OER
Assimilation in America
Students, after reading the novel, "The Joy Luck Club," create a four question survey about assimilation in America. They each ask four members of their family or peers to take the survey. After data is collected, they create graphs and...
Curated OER
Las Caras (The Faces)
First graders create masks. They practice using Spanish words to describe facial expressions and their individual masks. They review the verb"tener," to show characteristics than can be expressed on a mask: "tengo calor" or "Tengo miedo."
Teaching Tolerance
Community Spotlight Cards
Not all heroes wear capes—or cleats. Class members identify unsung heroes in their schools or towns for interviews, then create trading cards. A celebration including presentations or trading of cards completes their investigation of...
Curated OER
Don't Miss The Boat
Fourth graders study immigration and what it is like to be an immigrant. They choose immigrant identities, dress appropriately, and role play during an International Fair where each student displays some aspect of his/her "home country."
Curated OER
Celebrity matchmaker
This activity looks at marriage and has its emphasis on personality types. Students discuss questions relating to marriage and other relationships. they read the story "Wedding is for Love Says Britney," and "Couple Marry in World's...
Curated OER
Finding Our Way Home: Immigration to the United States, 1815-1860
Students break into families of 4 members. They brainstorm issues that they would encounter as an immigrant family by creating a web. Students are given roles to research focusing on that perspective: father, mother, grandparent, and child.
Curated OER
Willie and Friends: Overcomers in the Land Stories by Faith Ringgold
Learners use puppets and plays to examine the role of African Americans throughout history. After being read a story by a puppet, they respond to each one in writing. Individually, they write a story about a place they have wanted to...
Curated OER
Growing in Communities, Kids on the Grow
Students participate in an after school program that promotes concern for others, recognizing differences, accepting differences, leadership roles, mentoring, self-responsibility and personal safety. They explore the diversity of their...
Curated OER
Medieval Coat of Arms/Heraldry
Students examine the history of Heraldry from medieval times in preparation for reading the novel "Freak the Mighty." They view and discuss examples of shields and discuss the color system and how shields were divided. As a culminating...
Curated OER
Imaginary Wealth and a Magazine Article
Students explore economics by writing a fictitious news article. In this personal wealth lesson, students participate in a role-playing activity in which the year is 2025 and they must write an article about their extremely wealthy...
Curated OER
Be a River Pioneer!
Students role-play as pioneers in Illinois river towns. They research and choose a home town and participate in the development of the town. They present their simulation in either a written report or visual presentation.
Curated OER
Self-Determination
Learners explore ways to improve self-determination. Using classroom activities, role playing, and small group simulations, students practice and exercise self-determination. They discuss the importance of self-esteem, personal values,...
Curated OER
Thanksgiving Quilt
Second graders create individual "thankful" felt squares for use in a large classroom Thanksgiving quilt that can be put together using glue or hot glue. This great holiday lesson is based upon the book "Thanksgiving" by Miriam Nerlove.