Curated OER
Communication In U.S. Society; Radio In America
Students see how radio began the modern consumer society, shaped societal views on peoples and cultures and changed family home life forever. Radio shrank the world by bringing far-away places, events, and individuals into peoples living...
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The Life of the Party
Students research and deliver oral presentations discussing how state governors' attitudes reflect those commonly associated with their national party leadership. They synthesize their knowledge by writing essays on centrist politics.
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Class Action
Young scholars design learning laboratories for their school in a variety of subject areas. They present their ideas to members of their community for feedback.
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The Decisive Moment
Students explore Henri Cartier-Bresson's life and photographic work. They think about Mr. Cartier-Bresson's famous "decisive moment," and reflect on their understanding of decisive moments through photos they capture from their...
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Modern Makeovers
Students consider what "modern" means and explore memories and opinions about the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. They design or renovate a local building for the 21st century.
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Prized Photos
Students study World Press Photo prize-winning photos in small groups and compare them with memorable personal photos.
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Making Headlines
Learners consider their personal opinions about the news and politics, read about the public relations drive behind the 2004 presidential election, and gather information for a press release promoting either Mr. Bush or Mr. Kerry.
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Hard News to Hear
Students compare the news angle, information sources and construction of different news reports about the Russian school hostage crisis. Based on what they explore the event and about reporting breaking news, they write an analysis of...
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Can You Picture That?
Learners analyze and write creative pieces based on photographs taken during the 2005 New York City transit strike.
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Interpreting Language Arts, Health, and Visual Art
Fourth graders draw a magic mask with special powers based on one aspect of health. They write 1-2 paragraphs descibing the mask's special powers. Then they scan the images using a computer software program and write a new paragraph on...
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High-Tech Heaven?
Students read and discuss, "Post-Christmas Comes a Geek's Gizmo-Rama" by David Pogue. They consider how technologies they use impact their lives.
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Land Use Issues
In this unit of lessons, students examine analogies and parts of speech. They use land use issues to identify the different parts of speech that they research. They create analogies about the origin of organisms.
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Naya Nuki's Journey
Students read "Naya Nuki Shoshoni Girl Who Ran" by Kenneth Thomasma. Students chart Naya Nuki's route on a map and identify the navigational signs she used to find her way home. Students also analyze the weather she encounters.
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The New Kids on the Blog
Students consider the role of a critic by creating top ten lists for arts-related topics and participate in a simulated blog activity. They write newpaper articles to accompany their top ten lists and submit them for publication.
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For Pete's Sake
Learners investigate the proposed Gazprom City in St. Petersburg, Russia. They review proposals from international architects and consider the pros and cons of the Gazprom City development. Students conduct a mock public hearing to...
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The Oily "Grail"
Young scholars discover the quest for a balance between oil exploration and a concern for the environment in Alaska. They synthesize their knowledge by debating the current length of the oil-drilling season.
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Season's Readings
Students use descriptive language to write riddles on their favorite seasonal subjects; they illustrate the "answers" to their riddles using the medium of their choice and compile both riddles and illustrations to create a book.
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Loud and Clear
Students brainstorm various forms of protest, examine the context for President George W. Bush's visit to Britain, and research protests throughout history. Students use the information gathered to create informative posters and diary...
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The View
Students explore the structure and purpose of Op-Ed pieces in the newspaper. They then write Op-Eds from the perspectives of United States presidents on important issues of their day.
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A Monumental Race
Students write about the importance of historical sites and landmarks. They research information about an ancient historical site and create a plan for commemorating this site.
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Writing Crazy Crayons
Second graders observe the workings of an assembly line. They classify old crayon pieces by color, melt them in candy molds, package them, and produce advertising literature to sell the product. Students share their work with the class.
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The Lady or the Tiger
Eighth graders make predictions on the topic of a story based on the title and the preview. After reading the story, they analyze what took place and create a graphic organizer explaining what they think would have happened had the...
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Peddling Puccini
Students explore the art of the opera. They listen to examples of opera and conduct research to find out more about the opera world. Then they develop advertisements that focus on aspects that might interest young people about opera...
National First Ladies' Library
Jefferson's Legacy: A National Library
Students examine the creation of the Library of Congress. They investigate reasons why Thomas Jefferson sold his personal collection to the Library. Employing various research resources, students write newspaper articles about the sale...