Curated OER
Virtual Chat Study Groups
Students explore studying habits by utilizing technology. In this social networking lesson, students utilize a virtual chat program to connect with students from a nearby school. Students ask and answer study questions back and forth...
Curated OER
Invasive Species
Students use the Internet to research non-native plants that exist in their local community. Using this information, they analyze the invasive species effect on their environment. In groups, they plan and execute their own project to...
Curated OER
Changes Close To Home
Middle schoolers interview the senior citizens in their community. While interviewing them, they identify perceptions they have about the local climate. Using the internet, the compare the results of the interview to those of public...
Curated OER
Testing the Water
Students develop and test a hypotheses through collecting and recording water quality data. They perform their tests outdoors in a location with a safe stream and easy access for students. Their various experiments involve the entire...
Curated OER
A Walk on the West Side
High schoolers comprehend what makes up the physical community. Read and construct scale drawings and models. Explore the history of infrastructures and how the contributions of science, math and industry have led to the development of...
Curated OER
Create a Magic Lantern Show; Freed People in the Reconstruction South
Engage your scholars by having them create "magic lantern shows" inspired by the film Dr. Toer's Amazing Magic Lantern Show: A Different View of Emancipation. As they study the South's Reconstruction through primary sources, learners...
Curated OER
Introduction to the National Debt
Students relate the national debt to the economy. In this algebra instructional activity, students discuss what the national debt is, create a national budget based on priority and what the government should spend money on. They analyze...
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Life In A Nest: Exploring Life Cycles With Bird Cams
Why read about it when you can watch it happen? Bird cams make it possible for learners to experience the life cycle of a bird in real time! An engaging set of lessons provides activities to connect their learning to bird cam...
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Investigating Evidence
Explore the scientific process through nature. Scholars become scientists as they develop a question, design an experiment, collect data, and analyze their results. A two-week lesson guides your classes through the process and provides...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Revolution '67, Lesson 1: Protest: Why and How
To some people, protesting is as American as apple pie, but the factors that lead to protests can be as confusing to veteran activists as to today's youth. Revolution '67 explores the riots in Newark, New Jersey as a case study. Using...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Revolution '67, Lesson 2: What Happened in July 1967? How Do We Know?
Even in a world in which dozens of participants and curious onlookers record every controversial event, the basic facts of what happened are often in dispute. Revolution '67, Lesson 2 explores 1967 Newark, New Jersey using an examination...
Speak Truth to Power
Dalai Lama: Free Expression and Religion
How is religious freedom connected to the conflict between China and Tibet? After reading an online passage of background information, your learners will divide into groups and both read and view an interview with the Dalai Lama. They...
The New York Times
Trouble in the Hive: Researching the Decimation of Honeybee Colonies
Teach your class about colony collapse disorder and foster discussion about causes and solutions for the honeybee problem. Class members read and discuss an article and participate in one of two detailed activities about pollination and...
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Bird Communication
Sing for your dinner! Investigate the purpose of bird songs and strategies birds use to communicate. Through the lessons, individuals learn how to recognize different types of bird communication as well as hypothesize the purpose of...
Curated OER
Preserving Democracy
Students read excerpts of the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution. Using the documents, they identify the ideas of how the government should be run. In groups, they develop a skit that encourages people to be...
Curated OER
Staying Informed
Students identify the various ways the American public can stay informed on the news. In groups, they brainstorm reasons why the public should not stick to one source for their news. They use this information to examine their own current...
Curated OER
Taking Action
Pupils use the net they make to dip macroinvertebrates at or below the surface. The flat side of the net allows pressure on the substrate so that organisms do not escape under the net. Two students hold onto the handles and submerge the...
Curated OER
A Stranger Among Us
Eighth graders give their own definition to the terms race, religion, culture, character and ethnicity and write them on the board. As a class, they discuss the differences and similiarties between the terms. In groups, they complete a...
Curated OER
Young Voters Make A Difference
Students research recent statistics on voting by those 18 to 24. They survey senior students to determine their intent to vote in the next election. Students display the data in charts and graphs. They write the results and share it with...
Curated OER
Prosperity and Challenges
Students watch a slideshow about the technological advances in agriculture. After viewing, they complete an index card about one aspect of the slideshow. In groups, they create a cause and effect timeline in which they identify specific...
Curated OER
Into a New Millennium, Lesson 4: 1970 to Present
Young scholars view different slides on how agriculture has changed in America. In groups, they are given one resource to read and answer discussion quesions. After reviewing answers, they participate in different scenerios to help...
Curated OER
Careers With an Aquatic Emphasis
Students are introduced to careers with an aquatic emphasis. They take a self-evaluation test on what they enjoy in school to determine which career is right for them. They listen to people in the field discuss what their job is like.
Curated OER
Graphing My Path to Success
Seventh graders examine their school performance through self-assessment of strengths and weaknesses. They construct a line graph, plotting all courses and achievements. Students use graph paper and colored pencils for each activity. If...
Curated OER
The League
Middle schoolers explore the concept of civic virtue in a democratic state. In this democracy lesson, students listen to John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech, read selections on democracy, and discuss the importance of civic rights and...