Curated OER
The Great Computer Debates
Students research controversial Internet technology issues concerning security, privacy, and intellectual property. They formulate and present various perspectives on these issues in a mock television panel discussion.
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Government Gripes
Students, in groups, investigate the purpose and jurisdiction of government agencies assigned to regulate different science/technology/health issues, then describe situations in which agencies might have a disagreement, and stage a mock...
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Giving Voice to History
Learners examine the plight of Japanese Americans during World War II. In this World War II lesson plan, students participate in a mock evocation simulation, research primary and secondary documents about internment camps, and share...
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A Test Case for Individual Rights
Young scholars examine the different points of view regarding testing students for drug use. They then work in pairs to create and perform dialogues that flesh out two sides of the argument around this controversial issue.
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Nutrition and Health and School Gardening
Students examine how healthy eating contributes to a healthy body and life style. They read nutritional labels on food items. They use the Five Foods Pyramid to evaluate their own eating habits. They plan, design, and create a school...
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Grade 1 Phonics- Short a
Work on the short /a/ in phonics lessons. Recognize and identify "Aa," name the letter "A," know the short /a/ sound, rhyme using short /a/ word families, decode basic short consonant-vowel-consonant words and transfer wisdom of the...
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Fear Factors
Young scholars explore their own childhood fears. Then, by reversing the scenario and considering how the objects of their fears might in turn also be afraid of them, students confront these fears and create a student books that help...
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The Civil War: Learning from Our Peers
Fifth graders discover the Civil War as taught by their peers. For this Civil War lesson, 5th graders create their own lesson plans to teach the class about the Civil War. The students are monitored by the teacher but are given lectures...
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Lions and Tigers and Bears - Oh My!
Research animals and develop a non-fiction presentation. Young scholars will complete research on a particular animal and determine the animal's characteristics as well as habitat before choosing a differentiated project to present using...
The New York Times
A Worker's Compensation
Middle schoolers read about the history of Labor Day in a newspaper article. They discuss difficulties American employees of the past had to face, learn about labor rallies, and conduct Internet research. Part of the intention of this...
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Connecting Immigrants In Black And White
Students explore the many ways that ethnic newspapers help immigrants in the United States stay connected to their cultures and countries of origin. They write articles for ethnic newspapers.
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The Renaissance
Students encounter having been chosen to join a group of renowned historians who have been offered an unprecedented opportunity. They travel back in time to the Renaissance time period. Students research one aspect of that time period....
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Declarations of Independence
Students examine what they know about American Indians past and present, then research key issues facing American Indian tribes today. To synthesize their learning, students write letters taking the perspective of an American Indian.
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Talking Trash - Online Message Boards
Students consider their own experiences with online message boards and chat rooms, discover how teens are using the Web to talk about people in their lives, discuss the issues surrounding online conversations.
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Consider the Source
Students explain how to critically compare news reporting from around the world, focusing on coverage of the Taliban regime. They compare and contrast television and print media reporting on the issue.
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Gender Bender
Students explore the effects of Title IX. In addition, tudents create revised rulebooks for a sport in their school based on their understanding of Title IX and write a related article for the school newspaper.
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It's A Dog-Eat-Dog World
Students examine the dangers of owning and breeding aggressive dogs. They debate whether aggressive dogs should be kept as pets. They write an essay from their point of view about aggressive dogs as pets.
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Babes in Electronic Toyland
Young scholars read a New York Times article in order to explore the use of handheld electronic devices in schools. They investigate, through surveys and essay-writing, the pros and cons of this technology.
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Off the Record
Music reflects culture and culture is reflected in popular music. Reading an article on how hip-hop has affected the lives of two young men of different races launches an investigation of the development and influences of various musical...
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Music Dynamics - America the Beautiful
First graders sing America the Beautiful and understand the words to the song. In this singing social studies instructional activity, 1st graders become familiar with the images and vocabulary in America the Beautiful while singing...
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Finding Synonyms
Student identify synonyms in poetry. For this grammar lesson, young scholars define what a synonym is and view several examples on the board. Students read a selected poem on an overhead transparency and circle the synonyms.
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Circle Justice—Lesson 1: The Anger Within
High schoolers examine the emotion of anger through the poem 'A Poison Tree'. In this poetry analysis instructional activity, students identify and decode unfamiliar vocabulary they encounter, engage in groups discussions and...
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The Aftermath of War
Students share their opinions on the war in Iraq. After reading an article, they identify the thoughts of President Bush on the conflict. In groups, they share their opinions for and against current United States policy in Iraq and the...
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My Brother Sam is Dead: A study of the Revolutionary War
Fifth graders complete an analysis of the Revolutionary War through literature. After "My Brother Sam Is Dead," students create a time capsule containing items that would be relevant during the Revolutionary War. They identify key...