Curated OER
Demystifying Mood in Creative Writing
Middle schoolers discover how writing is affected by mood and emotions. They learn proper mood descriptors and read sample pieces of writing to better explain mood.
Curated OER
Creative Content through Comics
Students identify the different parts of a comic strip and creat their own about the French and Indian War period. They share their comics with the class. They can compile them into a newspaper format if they choose.
Curated OER
Through the Viewfinder: Learning to Think Like a Professional News Photographer
Young scholars investigate the skills for photo composition to become quality photojournalists. In this photojournalism lesson plan, students cut out photographs from magazines and decide on the best ones, as well as determine what makes...
Shutterfly
Shutterfly Photo Story Lesson Plan
A reading of Peggy Parish's Amelia Bedelia launches a study of idioms. Groups then select several idioms, write the meaning of the expressions, draw or select images, and use GIMP or Photoshop to create an idiom book.
Teaching Tolerance
Community Arts Showcase
An art showcase encourages class members to explore the themes of social justice and tolerance. They create an original artwork, engage in group discussions, and journal writing. The art gallery also provides a chance for families and...
Shutterfly
Photo Story Lesson Plan
After reading Loree Leedy's There's a Frog in My Throat: 440 Animal Sayings a Little Bird Told Me, kids create and illustrate their own poems that convey the meaning of an idiom. The poems are then transferred into Shutterfly's Photo...
Teaching Tolerance
Artistic Expression Showcase
No one is too young to create a masterpiece. Elementary artists delve into the topic of social justice with original artwork. Scholars keep journals to reflect on their experiences before putting paintbrush to paper. Final artwork is...
Curated OER
Nathaniel Hawthorne's—The Scarlet Letter
Designed for teachers, this guide to The Scarlet Letter is divided into background information about Hawthorne and Puritan New England, suggestions for teaching various ability levels, and ideas for extensions that include current events.
Poetry4kids
Writing Riddles
What's got 60 eyes, 150 fingers, and an endless number of ideas? Your language arts class! Challenge young writers to come up with clever riddles with an online poetry lesson.
Curated OER
Addressing Student's Questions in the Aftermath of the Terrorist Attacks
Learners discuss peacemaking. In this political policy and emotions lesson, students explore ideas for expressing feelings in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. Learners reflect on punitive and restorative justice.
Curated OER
The Looking Glass: Artwork of Robert Harris
A series of 4 activities foster critical thinking, careful observation, and creative expression with the work of Canadian artist Robert Harris. Learners respond to half a painting and then to the whole picture while listening to a poem;...
Curated OER
Erase the Quiet
Students recognize how music, theater, dance, and the visual arts can be combined to contribute to their own active learning. They work in small groups to research and use critical thinking skills to identify ways in which the arts could...
Curated OER
Multiplication/Division Number Series
Expand mathematical thinking with these prompts for scholars to use writing as they approach math. First, they use the numbers 3, 5, and 15 in an original multiplication number story, followed by a related division story. Encourage...
Curated OER
Producing Beats
Turn your classroom into a music studio as groups work together to determine why music sounds different when performed live versus a recording. After listening to some different music, each group picks a poem, creates a recording, and...
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Learning About Opioids
Feeling high is not the only side effect of abusing prescription opioids. Middle and high schoolers learn more about specific painkillers, including Fentanyl, Oxycodone, and Clonazepam, as well as their common brand names and extensive...
Curated OER
Cloud Painting
Students explore clouds and abstract thinking through painting. This lesson uses higher thinking skills and encourages self expression.
Curated OER
Exercise Examples
Second graders discuss reasons for performing physical activity. They develop a list of exercises to share with other groups. They lead other groups through a set of exercises on the playground.
Curated OER
The Robot Artist--Aaron
This is a creative multidisciplinary lesson which will involve learners in art, technology, and psychology. Students learn about Harold Cohen who created a robot programmed to create art. Learners will also enjoy the sand pendulum...
Curated OER
Preschoolers and Science Skills
You can encourage critical thinking and problem solving by allowing young children to participate in hands-on science activities.
Curated OER
Timely Technologies
Second graders explain how society influences the type of technology developed. In this science lesson, 2nd graders research about a topic they chose from the given list. They develop a creative presentation about it such as a play,...
Curated OER
Inspiring Students With the Right Writing Prompts
With the right writing prompts, you can help students produce creative and imaginative work.
Curated OER
Vanishing Verbs
Students analyze recent media trends, and develop critical thinking skills by summarizing main ideas, extracting details, formulating opinions, drawing inferences, and comparing and contrasting attitudes. They also practice paraphrasing...
Curated OER
How Long Until Dirt
Third graders examine the difference between composting and wasting food. They problem-solve what to do about leftovers after lunches so good food doesn't go to waste.They study food storage techniques that are environmentally friendly...
Curated OER
World Intellectual Property Day
In this World Intellectual Property Day worksheet, students complete activities such as reading a passage, phrase matching, fill in the blanks, correct words, multiple choice, spelling, sequencing, scrambled sentences, writing questions,...