University of North Carolina
Sciences
Science writing follows many of the same principles as writing in language arts, but some structural details differ. Individuals read an online science handout that covers how to write with precision, choose appropriate details, and use...
Roald Dahl
The Twits - The Twits Get the Shrinks
Turn readers into investigative journalists. The 11th and final lesson that accompanies The Twits by Roald Dahl asks the question "What happened to Mr. and Mrs. Twit?" The lesson uses mind maps and group discussion to help answer the...
Curated OER
Ticket to Ride
Students research a place they would like to visit. They write a report about that location that includes a map, the climate and other features that explain their desire to visit.
Curated OER
ABCs of Endangered Species
Students create an ABC Book of Endangered Animals that includes locator maps, "fast facts," and explanations about why those animals are endangered.
Virginia Department of Education
Meiosis
Intrigue the class by completing a lesson on meiosis, filled with challenging and insightful activities to spark the interest of every person in the room. Each member of the class learns about genetic disorders due to faulty meiosis, and...
Curated OER
Story Maps and Boxes
Students use a story map template to review the parts of a story and information about a book that they have read. The elements of the story are identified and placed into story boxes and shared with classmates.
Curated OER
Myths of the Wild West
Students examine the Wild West as it was depicted in films and books. In groups, they compare this information to what it was really like as they find out in books. They also discover the role of the Native Americans in the Wild West...
Curated OER
"Wheels, Wings and Other Things"
Students participate in various reading and writing activities related to the book "Wheels, Wings and Other Things" by Monica Hughes and Barbara Hunter. They participate in a shared reading activity, and write a new page for a book...
National First Ladies' Library
Designing the Common School: The First Educational Reform
Middle schoolers perform preliminary research to explore education before public (common) education was in place. They design a public educational system of their own. Learners construct a report outlining challenges and solutions for...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Men and Women of Space Exploration
Fourth graders research famous astronauts. In this space science instructional activity, 4th graders list famous astronauts and use reference materials and the Internet to write a report on them.
Curated OER
"Be the Kiwi" Whale Rider
Young scholars compare and contrast the movie and the novel. In this Whale Rider lesson, students work in groups to find similarities and differences in the book and the movie. Young scholars discuss the Maori culture and the...
Curated OER
Viking History
Students learn about the history of the Vikings by watching videos, reading books, and writing journal entries pretending they were Vikings. In this Vikings lesson plan, students also make a long ship out of a milk carton.
Curated OER
Plant Reproduction
Fifth graders discuss the way a plant can reproduce from roots, stems, and leaves instead of the more familiar way of flowers, fruits, and seeds. In groups of four, 5th graders pick a plant group. Each group then writes a report,...
Curated OER
From the Sea to the Summit, Land Use on Maui
Fourth graders examine the how the land is used on the islands of Hawaii. Using this information, they discover how elevation affects how the land is used and represent this data in a visual form. They describe existing and alternative...
Curated OER
Getting To Know Famous People
First graders use the internet to research a famous American. Using the information they collect, they write a paragraph noting their accomplishments. They find a picture of the person they are researching or dress up like them to...
Turabian Teacher Collaborative
Parts of Argument II: Article Critique
Break down the parts of argumentative writing with a critical thinking activity. High schoolers read an article of your (or their choice), and use a graphic organizer to delineate the ways the author structures his or her arguments.
Curated OER
Be Screen Free for a Week
Challenge yourself to completely close all of your electronic screens for seven straight days!
Curated OER
Special Accommodations
This accommodations template provides a checklist of special accommodations that may be required for special needs learners in six areas: attention, academic, behavior, testing, speech/language, and OT/PT. Space is also provided for...
Curated OER
The Rumpelstiltskin Story
Why didn't Rapunzel's hair stop growing?  Why did it take the fairy godmother so long to intervene in Cinderella's affairs? Young writers consider unanswered questions like these and compose news articles investigating the true story...
Curated OER
Teach Inventions with PowerPoint
Students research famous inventors and what they invented. In this technology lesson, students gather facts about a specific invention and create a PowerPoint slideshow about it. Students practice adding in animation and color to the...
Curated OER
Writing Up a Spanish Storm: Using Creative Thinking for Creative Writing
Students in a Spanish class are introduced to the techniques of creative writing. In groups, they focus on the pre-writing section of creative writing and keep a folder of their works throughout the lesson. They end the lessons by...
Curated OER
Interactive Journeys
Students investigate environments and animals through the use of technology while on class field trips. The lesson is highly adaptable and can work with any field trip in many subject areas.
Alabama Learning Exchange
The Solar System
Students explore the Solar System. In this cross-curriculum space instructional activity, students identify the planets, name them in order according to distance from the sun, and describe major characteristics of each planet. Students...
Curated OER
How Light Travels
Students conduct an experiment. In this light lesson, students work in groups to see how light travels in a straight line and how light reflects.