Curated OER
Cashing In on Cartoons
Students examine the popularity of cartoon characters in marketing strategies. They work on developing their own cartoon characters that could be used for a licensing plan.
Curated OER
Why Do We Have Night?
Students engage in a fun, creative way to discover how the Earth moves. This lesson helps students explain why there is day and night. It can also create curiosity to further study the solar system and eclipses!
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Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Students create Thanksgiving menu and pre-dinner blessing or ritual that is sensitive to five different imaginary Thanksgiving guests from a variety of backgrounds.
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For Richer or for Poorer
Learners read about one cross-class marriage and create scenes to dramatize interactions among the family members and consider how class shapes relationships. They imagine the issues faced by cross-class couples by writing a short story.
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Altered Books
Students transform a discarded book into a creative art work of art that encompasses a theme and utilizes a variety of media and techniques.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Classroom Constitutional Convention
Students investigate the eight phrases that comprise the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution to determine its principles and purpose. Their own Constitutional Convention is convened to craft a preamble for their school's governance.
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The Chocolate War
Students scrutinize the story, "The chocolate War" by Robert Cormier for examples of nonconformity in the face of power. The nature of the relationship between students in the story is compared to the associations of the reader.
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"You Decide" Companion Lesson
Students research capital punishment and discuss different views on the death penalty. They complete a web based activity and express how certain acts of terrorism can challenge people's views on the death penalty.
University of New Mexico
César Chávez: Migrant Farm Workers and Their Leader
During the first week of instruction, middle schoolers research biographies on Cesar Chavez and make a pictorial collage of his life. For the second and third week, they maintain a seven-day diary of a farmworker and write a poem. For...
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The Secret Society and FitzGerald's The Great Gatsby
Students formulate what tensions about wealth and status are revealed in The Great Gatsby. Apply how these tensions are reflected in Nick Carraway's struggle to belong. Write a "credo" for the "secret society" implied in The Great Gatsby.
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Literary Wizardry
Students discuss what they already know about the Harry Potter series. After reading an article, they examine a critic's reaction to the latest book in the series. As a class, they brainstorm what parts of their school day could use...
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Charlotte's Web
Students complete a variety of activities related to the book "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White. They create a comic strip based on the characters, setting, and plot of the story, and examine the author's writing process. In small groups...
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Comparing Units of Measurement
Fourth graders investigate the units of measurement used by various Native American tribes before they had contact with the Europeans. They write research questions, conduct research using a variety of resources, in small groups write a...
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THE TRAVELS OF BABAR: An Adventure in Scale:Saving the Elephants and Other Endangered Animals
Students comprehend the concept and causes of extinction and endangerment. They identify extinct and endangered animals. Students coordinate a plan to help endangered animals through a poster and letter writing campaign.
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American History: The United Farm Workers (UFW) and Pesticides
Students are able to answer research questions through internet research. They write a bridf history of the UFW using research. Students are able to create resumes of Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta by researching their biography.
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Analyzing the Job Market for Babysitting in Your Neighborhood
Students conduct research on a neighborhood in Canada. In this data analysis lesson plan, students use data from the 2006 Canadian census to draw conclusions about a population group.
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Story Mapping A Favorite Book
First graders create a diagram of a story by using the computer program Kidspiration. In this diagramming lesson plan, 1st graders will pick a book to write about. They then will plug in story elements of the book into the computer...
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Symbolism Bookmarks
Students create a bookmark about symbolism. For this literature-based lesson plan, students study the meaning of the word symbolism. Students read and analyze the symbolism found in "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe. Then they choose a...
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And the Moral of the Story is...
Students retell a story using computer software. In this story elements lesson, students retell the story giving the plot, setting, characters and moral using Pixie software.
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Service Learning
Young scholars view video clips to define service learning. In this civics lesson, students read quotes, take a survey, and define altruism. Young scholars view video clips and evaluate the motivation and impact of those who perform...
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Origin of the Purple Heart
Students research the origin of the Purple Heart. In this writing lesson students research personal stories of friends or family who have received the Purple Heart. Students then design their own armed forces award complete with an essay...
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Junk Sort
Learners analyze objects by one or more attributes. In this sorting lesson, students use manipulatives and string or yarn to create a sorting game. Learners read books and items from the classroom to sort.
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The Cleverest Thief
First graders read The Cleverest Thief and participate in various activities across the curriculum areas. In this story lesson, 1st graders arrange an anagram of the word monastery. Students complete worksheets to alphabetize and use...
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Panther Exam: Writing a Play
Students demonstrate their knowledge of panthers by writing a play on the subject. In this animal life instructional activity, students view a slide-show on school computers of a veterinary exam of a panther. Students utilize this...