Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Auschwitz Episode Guide: Surprising Beginnings

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how the Nazis came to power and living conditions at Auschwitz. They watch and discuss a PBS documentary, read and discuss handouts, analyze a Pyramid of Hate, and assign experiences in their own lives to different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Highlights of Modern American Family Art and Literature

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students develop imagery in literary and art works. They discuss Jacob Lawrence's painting, the "Tombstones, 1942", which conveyed overcrowded tenements and families living in Harlem (New York, New York). They design picture stories...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Americans Seen Through the Eyes of the Newsreel Cameraman

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders learn about this history of jazz music. In this musical influences lesson, 5th graders read God Bless the Childand listen to a recording of it. Students create a KWL chart on jazz and early 1900s music and dance. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bird and Breakfast

For Teachers K - 1st
Students examine winter birds. In this KWL chart lesson, students fill out the chart and view a PowerPoint presentation. Students then complete the chart and discuss winter birds.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Big Dipper Story Wheel

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners research a Canadian Indian Tale. In this constellation instructional activity, students hear the story "Never-Ending Bear Hunt" which describes the constellations from the Native American perspective. They create their own...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earthquakes and Plate Tectonics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research about earthquakes that took place within a certain distance from their place. In this geology lesson, students explain why earthquakes occur. They analyze patterns of different earthquakes using a computer program.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

State of the "States"

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students consider indicators that mark a country's progress, examine how last year's State of the Union address has affected U.S. foreign policy, research issues deemed important in that speech, and create report cards assessing the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Supreme Court Shake-Up

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students examine the role of the Supreme Court through an interactive program. They analyze the history of the Court and its members. They finally explore how the Supreme Court works.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

All About Bugs

For Teachers K
Students read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and practice the days of the week. In groups, they create a puppet show, design cards of the "days of the week," draw their favorite part of the story, create a visual representation of each...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Get- To Know Mammals

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students take a field trip and record information about mammals. In this mammals lesson, students hunt for tracks, waste, or other evidence that a mammal exists in this habitat. Students complete a worksheet on the evidence they have found.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Facing War

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students visit two sites about World War II. These sites show how war can impact a nation and how people have coped with life during years of war. Particular attention is paid to how the media covers the current war in Iraq.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Fair Trade

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the idea that anyone who works hard makes a lot of money. In this cocoa farming lesson, 4th graders understand the processes involved in cocoa farming and the profits gained by doing it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

State v. Russell, Minnesota Supreme Court

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the impact of court decisions. For this Minnesota Supreme Court lesson, students read the State v. Russell case study regarding cocaine drug use. Students take notes on the case and respond to discussion questions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kente Cloth

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students attempt to research the history of using the kente cloth for its cultural purposes. They comment in discussion about the highly visual appeal of the cloths while going through the process of creating their own. The importance of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coins: Historic Documents and Policy Statements

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students research the importance and meaning of honoring historic documents and policy statements on coins. They consult available texts and bookmarked Internet sites and share their findings with the class. They create a poster that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather & Climate

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders differentiate weather and climate. In this earth science lesson, 6th graders complete a KWL chart about the two. They complete a worksheet by identifying whether a certain statement describes weather or climate.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Magellan

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students identify the route of Magellan's voyage. In this map skills lesson, students use a globe to identify various coordinates where Magellan traveled.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using e-mail to Communicate with Students in an Inner City; Celebrating Diversity through a Penpal Program

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students communicate with students at another school through e-mail to help them become better acquainted with using a PC and e-mail. In the second lesson plan, the same type of method is used to explore diversity among communities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Peer Pressure

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Young scholars talk about how their peers can influence their behavior. In this peer pressure lesson plan, students complete a KWL chart on peer pressure, read a handout on peer pressure and break into groups to discuss the information....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Heat is On

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students investigate climate change. For this current events lesson, students research the listed Web sites that include information about the effects of greenhouse gases on the Earth. Students discuss how to combat the negative effects...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Helen Keller

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students describe several obstacles overcome by Helen Keller and identify adversity in their own lives and think about their views of dealing with it and ways of overcoming it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wilbur West, An Oral History

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders listen to the history of Wilbur West, a World War II veteren. They discuss how he is an important piece of history. They write a persuasive essay on the importance of Veteren's Day.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Word Bank Power Tool for Writing

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students use a word bank to help them do their writing and reading. The idea is that they would keep adding to this list as they move from grade to grade.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather Graphing

For Teachers K
Every morning students complete the weather chart. They use colors to reflect the cloud cover and symbols for rain, snow, etc.