Learning to Live
Attributes of a Civil Society
What makes a society civil? High school freshmen search for examples of justice, kindness, peace, and tolerance in news media and brainstorm how they can promote these attributes in their schools, communities, and world. The well-rounded...
Briscoe Center for American History
Mary Maverick and Texas History - Part 1
What's the difference between a diary and a memoir? Young historians explore the ramifications of this question as they learn how to use primary source materials to gain an understanding of life on the Texas frontier.
Curated OER
Flight Formation: The V's Have It!
Read, revisit, and reflect. Older elementary young scholars summarize main idea 6using key details. They consider the V formation that birds fly in, summarize an informational text, and write critical thinking questions.
Curated OER
The assassination of the Archduke: Exploring Perspectives
Use political cartoons for a multiple-perspectives strategy, as pupils learn about the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. After an anticipatory discussion, they are split into 2 groups. The class reads a primary source account...
Curated OER
Reading Plays
Students examine the role of tone in a comedy play. They also discover how to paraphrase a passage and explain a character's point of view.
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Read 'n' Give -- Planning Our Book Drive
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning activity, students design and implement a book drive to benefit their community.
Curated OER
Meet the People In Your Neighborhood
First graders recognize various occupations and their roles in the community. In this communities instructional activity, 1st graders read the story I Stink and view a Powerpoint presentation of "Community Helpers." Students create a...
Curated OER
If I Could Fly
Students listen to an oral reading of the book Tar Beach, start and exit the Kid Pix program, use the mouse and the keyboard as input devices, and use the software to create a painting to express their ideas generated by the reading of...
Curated OER
Following in Their Footsteps (Private-Religious)
Students serve in their community. For this community action lesson, students read "First They Came for the Jews" and discuss what happened when people didn't take ethical action. Students discuss the actions they could take to help in...
Curated OER
Following in Their Footsteps
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students reflect upon the lesson of tikkun olam as they read "First They Came for the Jews." Students plan and execute a tikkun olam project of their choosing...
Curated OER
The Giving Tree
Fourth graders participate in a shared reading of The Giving Tree. They discuss the relationship between trees and people in the story. Students contribute to a class KWL chart. They create their own KWL chart with at least four things...
Curated OER
Genetic Mind Reader Review Game
Students review some important concepts and terms relevant to the Human Genome Project and genetic research. The game is played like a mind reading session between two teams.
Curated OER
Kindness Just Because
Students analyze an African folktale. In this literature lesson, students read the story "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters" by John Steptoe and analyze the acts of kindness in the story. Students identify the setting of the story and find...
Curated OER
What Are Our Common Values?
Students make a poster. In this values lesson plan, students read the Preamble to the Constitution and discuss the core democratic values that are found there and in the Declaration of Independence. Students are each assigned a core...
Curated OER
Cinderella Is A Fella
Second graders identify the universal theme in the Cinderella story. In this fairy tale lesson, 2nd graders develop their vocabularies as they read a variation of Cinderella.
Curated OER
Seems Like a Million Bucks
Students explore philanthropy. In this service learning lesson plan, students read Sam and the Lucky Moon, identify the elements of the story, and examine the benefits and costs of giving.
Curated OER
The First Conservationists
Students read a story. In this Native American lesson, students learn about Native Americans and their responsibility to take care of a place called Turtle Island. Students learn the vocabulary words generation, befall, interdependence...
Curated OER
Exploring Philanthropic Motivations
Students understand the reasons people give to those less fortune. In this philanthropic lesson, students read Passing the Dream by Penny Caldwell. Students respond to the poem by making a list of things they would like to change...
Curated OER
Center Stage—Focus on the Mentally and/or Physically Challenged
Students discover the skills needed to work with the mentally and physically challenged. In this service learning lesson, students create a set of guidelines for working with the mentally and physically challenged.
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Fair Trade
Students discuss philanthropy. In this fair trade lesson, students discover the meaning of fair trade. They are given the definition and work in small groups to read further on the topic and answer questions. This lesson includes...
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The Importance of Detailed Procedures in Science
Students examine the importance of clear communication in scientific exploration. In pairs, they write clear directions for an everyday activity for their partner to read and follow.
Curated OER
Novel Guide for My Brother Sam is Dead
Fifth graders explore the effects of war. In this American Revolution instructional activity, 5th graders read My Brother Sam is Dead and complete the provided comprehension, characterization, and vocabulary activities
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The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Dou
Ninth graders explore the concept that education is related to freedom. In this human rights activity, 9th graders read The Narrative of Frederick Douglass. Students dialogue about their readings and education as it relates to human...
Curated OER
Using R&R to Teach Mathematics
Second graders create a shape garden. In this polygons lesson, 2nd graders practice making shapes using a geoboard and read the book The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns. Students also design a shape garden using construction...