Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students are introduced to the components and importance of the water cycle. They are shown how groundwater moves using a model. Students list 9 places on earth where water is found. They define the terms cycle and water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Words to Work Things Out

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Young scholars explore appropriate ways to communicate feelings.  In this character development lesson, students listen to Hands are not for Hitting and several other books about expressing emotions appropriately.  Young...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life Story of an Artifact

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students write about an artifact that they are studying. In this artifacts lesson plan, students analyze details of the artifact and answer short answer questions about it.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Show Me a Flowerpot

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students compare and contrast handmade and machine-made products in a study about the evolution of production processes in American history. For this production history lesson, students explore a flowerpot in depth. Students make their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Toast To The Past

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars analyze, and research the identity of the non electric toaster as a historical artifact. In this toaster lesson plan, students then create a visual timeline of toaster history.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Golden Spike

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate modern transportation in the 19th century by examining artifacts.  For this U.S. history lesson, students read the story Joseph's Railroad Dreams, and discuss the Golden Spike used in the first transcontinental...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transportation Through Time

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students write a short story illustrating the past and imaging the future in transportation. In this transportation lesson plan, students explore artifacts that have to do with transportation in the past in Chicago.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"L" Stands for Elevated

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students play a trivia game to learn more about the Chicago public transportation system. In this transportation lesson plan, students also create an "L" car, and write advertising slogans for Chicago's elevated trains.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Smiley Face Circle Stories

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine different artifacts from the 1970's. In this history lesson, students discover what each artifact is by seeing the artifact and reading a card defining what the artifact represents. On the second day, students create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stampin' Around Chicago

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss the United States Postal Service and choose an artifact from one decade. For this art lesson, students research how the artifact chosen relates to Chicago and the United States. Students create their own postage stamp...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reformation and Counter-reformation

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders examine the major theologies and practices for major religions.  In this World History lesson, 10th graders describe the historical significance of key leaders and events.  Students analyze the changes over this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating Opera

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students study the how music enhances drama in opera. They work in small groups to develop a short story that would be enhanced with music, costumes and props. They perform their operas for classmates and others.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Fast and Slow"

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students find a partner, they think about their favorite TV sport that they might like to perform in an unusual dance. They practice their chosen sport and students see if they can make a litter repeating pattern of three or four parts...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Just Dancing Around? Trisha Brown

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view a video clip highlighting the work of choreographer Trisha Brown and read her biography. They complete a table to summarize her work and they discuss their answers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music And The Related Arts / Fiesta

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders investigate the concept of a celebration through the experience of music and culturally relevant conversation. They have a class discussion about thankfulness and tie it the tradition of celebration. Then students listen...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Get to Know - Viewfinders

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students use viewfinders to focus on a specific visual image. In this visual image lesson, students use viewfinders as aids to selecting images and subjects for photography or art in nature.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Shake, Rattle and Erupt

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students study myths regarding four earthquakes myths. They receive a list of supplies each family should have at home to prepare for an earthquake and construct an "Earthquake Preparation" poster showing some of the most important items...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Federal Holidays

For Teachers 3rd
Students learn the history and why each Federal holiday is celebrated. Students identify how the celebration of each holiday ties the nation together.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Studies: Canadian City Comparison

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research Canadian population distribution while comparing and contrasting the quality of life in two cities. They discuss issues and problems that cities and rural towns face. Students apply various methods, such as graphs and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elements of Music

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students identify three of the essential elements of music: rhythm, melody and harmony. They discover a simple song which will illustrate these three elements separately and bring them together in a final form. They analyze and critique...
Article
Other

Himama: Early Childhood Education Blog: Creative Expression Activities

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Being able to communicate social-emotional learning visually or through movement, sound and words is not only an essential developmental skill, but it can also be a lot of fun for preschoolers. These creative expression activities for...
Lesson Plan
John F. Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Center: Lesson: Weather and Wind

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Here's an engaging activity to incorporate dance into your science lessons on weather! Students study wind, and various weather patterns, then create their own dance to illustrate what they have learned. Provides links to more...
Activity
PBS

Pbs Kids: Design Squad Challenge: Balloon Drive

For Students 3rd - 8th
Hands-on challenge "to make a helium balloon hover in one spot, then move it through an obstacle course using air currents". Provides full list of materials with ideas on how to design, build, and test the balloon's movement. Activity...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Waddle Lesson Plan

For Teachers K - 1st Standards
This lesson connects literacy, creativity and movement! Students act out different animals in the book "Waddle" as the teacher reads aloud. Students listen carefully for the animal name and the verb describing how that animal moves. They...