Curated OER
Using an Observation Log to enhance studies in biology
Students choose a subject or setting that be suitable for them to observe for the entire school year. They are encouraged to pick a site that they have ready access to and that they believe be interested in.
Curated OER
Words Will Break Your Heart
Learners practice being kind. In this character education instructional activity, students identify hurtful words they have heard and then share kind words they have heard. Learners discuss the impact of hurtful words.
Curated OER
Irregular Verbs Group 6
Using a fill-in-the-blank format, students identify the correct verb and change it into the past tense to complete a sentence. While the activity could be used with students in younger grades, the subject matter of the sentences is for...
Curated OER
Verb Tenses
In these verb tenses worksheets, students read about the forms of verb tenses, study examples of the tenses, and answer questions using the tenses.
Curated OER
Water and Ice
Students explore water and ice. In this 3 states of matter lesson, students work with a partner to observe, illustrate, and describe the characteristics of an ice cube in a cup. The ice cube is observed again in 15 minutes and changes...
Curated OER
BBC News School Report: Write As You Speak
Middle schoolers complete this journalism/language arts worksheet to improve their writing. They work in partners interviewing each other, then write key facts in a table, summarizing what, who, where, when, why. They make their...
Curated OER
From These Beginnings
Students prepare a bulletin board that shows the changing identity of their state before and after statehood.
Curated OER
Out of This World
Middle schoolers take a mission to Mars. In this space science lesson plan, students listen a lecture about space travel to Mars and the planet itself. Middle schoolers then create timelines of exploration and write poetry...
Curated OER
The Demographics of Mortality
Students view the Dynamic POPClocks on the U.S. Census webpage and discuss their meaning. They explore age-related death rates of the human population and collect information about the deaths of humans and organize them into a life table.
Anti-Defamation League
Cyberbullying and Online Cruelty: Challenging Social Norms
"Everybody does it!" is often the clarion call to justify cyberbullying. Here's a lesson plan that encourages high schoolers to challenge these behaviors. Participants examine images, watch videos, and engage in discussions designed to...
Curated OER
Nicotine addiction and youths
Young scholars read CNNfyi article: "Nicotine addiction can begin in days, study says," and have class discussion about the effects of nicotine on the human body.
Curated OER
How Weather Affects Our Lives
English learners practice basic weather terms from listening to two books. They keep a daily weather record for two weeks to record the type of weather, as well as the high and low temperatures for each day. Next, they complete a simple...
Curated OER
What Is Viscosity?
Students experiment with the visocosity of corn syrup, mineral oil, vegetable oil, water, and honey. They research viscosity before beginning. Pupils draw the conclusion that the marble sinks more slowly in the liquids with greater...
Curated OER
Persuasive Writing I
Examine the characteristics of an effective persuasive paper. In a group, eighth graders discuss the analogy of a debate being like a persuasive paper. After brainstorming topics, they write an argument and then debate it. Secretly, the...
Curated OER
Class Reunion
Young scholars explore the process of decision making regarding their own goals and objectives. They consider their future and preparation for life beyond high school by completing a Class Reunion sheet.
Poetry4kids
How to Write a Diamante Poem
A lesson begins with a description of a diamante poem and the rules to follow while writing one. Scholars examine the ins and outs of synonym and antonym diamantes, then compose an original poem using their newfound knowledge.
Curated OER
Gopher It! Exploring German Cyberspace
Students are introduced to the Gopher research tools. In groups, they compare and contrast English and German services on the gopher servers. They create their own dictionary of computer related terms and spend time downloading picture...
Pulitzer Center
Extractive Industries
Here is a chance for environmental studies classes to take a critical look at crises occurring around the globe by reading articles and viewing video clips. The human activities under scrutiny are the extraction of oil, logging, and...
Curated OER
Faux Cloisonne Enameling
Middle and high school students engage in enameling and apply design elements. They study the history and tradition of Cloisonne. The history of traditional Chinese Cloisonne dates back over 700 years, with the most beautiful, artistic...
Curated OER
The Great Depression and New Deal
Elementary pupils are introduced to the Great Depression as a critical period of hardship in United States history. They engage in collaborative assignments researching the Dust Bowl, the New Deal, US presidents, and presidential libraries.
Curated OER
Clowning Around: Drawing
Kids create a clown out of shapes. They work to show emotions while practicing their drawing skills. Pupils use circles, triangles, squares, oil pastels, and their imagination to draw, color, and decorate a sad or happy clown. Tip: Have...
Curated OER
Wildlife Variety Show: Biodiversity In Illinois
Eighth graders write a short report in first person about any plant or animal found on a list of Illinois species. They become the character of the plant or animal and give a short report describing the plant or animal.
Curated OER
How to Keep ELD Rewarding
The true success of English Learners won't always shine through in the form of perfect test scores.
Curated OER
Experiencing "Romeo and Juliet"
Ninth graders read and analyze the William Shakespeare play "Romeo and Juliet" and compare it to the 1996 modern version of the play and the movie "West Side Story." They write an essay comparing and contrasting the three versions.