Curated OER
Nominate a Classmate
Learners study what it means to be good citizens. In this government instructional activity, students nominate a classmate for being a good citizen and write a persuasive letter to the principal persuading the principal to make that...
Curated OER
Stories of Hope: Dragonfly and Mosquito
Learners identify and interpret the value of the dragonfly as a predator of the mosquito. They create their own folktales using the dragonfly or a creature of their choice to solve the malaria problem or another issue. Students also...
Curated OER
Out of the Dust
Seventh graders read a book of poems called "Out of the Dust". In groups, they research the Dust Bowl and how it affected people living through the Great Depression. Using the text, they identify the theme and key turning points and...
Curated OER
A Christmas Carol Reaction
Eighth graders explore writing in voice. They read and discuss A Christmas Carol and the trait of voice in writing. They write a bio poem about one of the characters and his traits, feelings, attitudes and reactions. They write their...
Curated OER
A Tasteless Tasty Test
Students review the inheritance patterns of simple dominant and recessive traits in humans. They use PTC tasting as a model trait. Each student determines whether or not they are a taster using PTC paper then they compile and discuss the...
Novelinks
The House on Mango Street: Biopoem
Young poets demonstrate their understanding of a character from Sandra Cisneros' The House on Mango Street by crafting a biopoem that captures the essence of this person.
Cornell University
Glued into Science—Classifying Polymers
Explore the unique characteristics of polymers. A complete lesson plan begins with a presentation introducing polymers. Following the presentation, young scientists develop a laboratory plan for creating substances using polymers. They...
Novelinks
The Good Earth: Biopoem Strategy
To gain a better understanding of characters in Pearl Buck's The Good Earth, kids create a biopoem for one of her characters.
Curated OER
Out of the Dust: Biopoem
As part of their study of Out of the Dust, readers create a biopoem for one of the characters in Karen Hesse's 1998 Newbery Medal winning verse novel.
Curated OER
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Fourth graders research and write an author report on Roald Dahl, including books written by him, birthplace, family life, and other information on his writing. Students read aloud chapters in the book. Students create a newspaper...
Curated OER
Number Stories
Students write and solve various number stories. They solve number stories using one, two and three digit numbers. Students practice writing sentences using the following 6+1 traits, ideas and content, organization, word choice and...
Curated OER
Narrative Prompt
Second graders practice their writing skills on a daily basis. Using a prompt, they write about a time they surprised themselves or someone else. They use a graphic organizer to gather their thoughts before writing the first draft. ...
Curated OER
Auto-Bio Poem
Students create an autobiographical poem. For this writing lesson, students write an eleven line autobiopoem after read the teacher's model. Students include their name, fears, and family in the poem.
Curated OER
Meiosis Lab: Building Baby Reebops
Students review the following vocabulary: Independent assortment, multiple alleles, and polygenic traits. They review their vocabulary by the "quiz, quiz trade" routine. Students work in groups. They are given one set of gene cards...
Curated OER
A Picture Book of George Washington
Learners discuss the character traits of George Washington. In this George Washington lesson, students read A Picture Book of George Washington, discuss the book, and complete worksheet activities about Washington's self-discipline and...
Curated OER
Number Stories 1: Student-generated Checklist
Students explore creating a self-assessment tool in a model classroom. Through the use of a video, students are observed engaging in peer assessment activities to generate a checklist. Students discuss the use of strategies a teacher can...
Curated OER
The Important Things About Nouns
Students review nouns by observing a Nouns PowerPoint and write nouns using handheld computers. They listen to Margaret Wise Brown's, The Important Book as a model for a class e-book about nouns which they publish.
Curated OER
Who Are We?
Over the course of a week, class groups interview one another, search for similarities and differences within the group, and then prepare a PowerPoint introduction of their group for the entire class. An interesting way to incorporate...
Curated OER
Symbols and the Choices we Make
Upper elementary and middle schoolers recognize symbols that influence the choices that we make consciously or unconsciously in everyday life. They look at the symbols and choices that others make. They identify and apply knowledge of...
Curated OER
Agriculture in the Desert
Students explore human migration. In this human migration lesson, students investigate multiple factors contributing to the growth of major Arizona cities. Students discover the processes, patterns, and functions of human settlement.
Curated OER
Biopoem: Ender's Game
Here's an activity designed to encourage character analysis. Readers craft a biopoem for a character in Orson Scott Cards' popular science fiction novel Ender's Game.
Curated OER
Transformations
Students identify the types of transformations in their lives. As a class, they determine the ones they have control over and which ones they do not. They practice solving problems in math and oral communication that they are faced with...
Curated OER
Where the Red Fern Grows: A 4th Grade Literary Focus Unit
Fourth graders explore the human and animal connection along with the idea that death is a part of the life cycle. They read "Where the Red Fern Grows." Students examine the feelings and emotions surrounding death and they discover the...
Curated OER
Properties
Seventh graders explore the concept of properties. In this properties lesson, 7th graders discuss the various math properties including the commutative, associative, distributive, multiplication properties and so on. Students create...