Curated OER
Inuit Culture: The Family
Students examine the attributes of Inuit families. For this cultural practices lesson, students read "Saqiyuq: Stories for the Lives of Three Inuit Women," and respond to 10 comprehension and critical thinking questions about the...
Curated OER
Poisonous Snake
In this snake worksheet, students read the descriptions of the snake and the cage and choose the correct cage and finish the snake picture. Students complete 2 activities.
Curated OER
Syllables
In this syllables worksheet, students fill in the chart with yes or no after they read the clues about syllables. Students complete 16 sections in the chart.
Curated OER
Analysis of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
Students examine primary resources to analyze pictures and documents related to the Pontysyllte Aqueduct (built by Thomas Telford) in Britain. In this critical-thinking lesson, students answer questions based on primary source documents...
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Transportation Math
Sixth graders solve transportation themed word problems. For this word problem lesson, 6th graders solve transportation themed word problems using critical thinking skills.
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Famous Quote Interpretation
In this quote interpretation worksheet, learners use critical thinking skills to respond to a question regarding a passage by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
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Digital Values: Internet Safety
Learners explore digital communication by participating in a critical thinking activity. In this Internet safety instructional activity, students discuss ways to protect their identity on the Internet as well as preserving friendships....
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Reading and Thinking About Evolution
Pupils explore evolution. They read magazine articles related to evolution. Students describe arguments for/against evolution that the author used. Pupils discuss their findings.
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Haunting of Third Grade
Third graders discuss the meaning of the word "haunted." They watch as the teacher demonstrates using a sticky note to mark words that they find interesting in their reading. Students read chorally, then break into groups for a...
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The Color of My Words
Explore the story The Color of My Words by Lynn Joseph using this resource. Learners answer comprehension questions, fill in graphic organizers, and write a poem.
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Myth and Truth: The First Thanksgiving
Encourage learners to think critically about common myths regarding the Wampanoag Indians in Colonial America. They discover that behind every myth are many possible explanations—and that learning more about American history helps them...
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A Look at the History of Book Banning in America
Why do books end up on the banned book list? How do these banned books contribute to the literary canon? Start by showing the photo slide show, and discussing notably banned books. Then focus on some of the most popular objections:...
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Big Branding on Campus: Reading Informational Text
This New York Times "Learning Network" activity poses 11 questions on an article and video about commercial branding and marketing on college campuses. The related article, "On the Market: Thinking Critically About Advertising", is...
Schools Linking Network & Lifeworlds Learning
How Do We All Live Together?
Explore the concepts of community and point of view with these activities complementing the children's book Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne. Following a class reading of the story, ask students to either draw a map of the...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Causes and Effects of Climate Change
Wrap-up a unit on global climate change with a lesson that examines the causes and effects of climate change. Learners fill out a chart that represents what they think causes climate change—natural and human-based—and what they think...
Curated OER
Lesson: Dongducheon: A Walk to Remember, A Walk to Envision: Interpreting History, Memory, and Identity
Cultural discourse can start through a variety of venues. Learners begin to think about how our minds, memories, and identities shape our attitudes toward culture and history. They analyze seven pieces from the Dongducheon art exhibit...
Open Oregon Educational Resources
Oregon Writes Open Writing Text
Are some resource books more confusing than helpful? The creator of Oregon Writes Open Writing Text thinks so. That is why the text remains a living document with input from teachers, librarians, and scholars. The eBook begins with...
Curated OER
"Big Three" Bailouts
What does your class think about big business bailouts by the U.S. Government? Find out with this activity, where learners analyze a political cartoon comparing the "Big Three" automakers with the Greek Myth of Sisyphus. Background...
National WWII Museum
A New War Weapon to Save Lives
Young historians view and analyze photos and documents from WWII that are related to blood transfusions and blood plasma. A demonstration of correct and incorrect blood donors visually shows the importance of knowing blood...
YMCA
Turning Courtrooms into Classrooms
Turn the class into the next episode of Law & Order! Scholars work together to create a mock trial over the course of several weeks before going before a judge for the case performance. They take on different roles, go through...
Curated OER
Responding to Literature: James and the Giant Peach
Fifth grade reader/writers create an alternate ending to an episode in Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach in which our protagonist "loses" the chance to magically solve all his problems. Prompts students not only to write creatively...
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Thumbs Up For Movie Reviews
If your class loves movies, this lesson is sure to interest them. After discussing the purpose and structure of movie reviews, young writers compose a movie review and discuss why people may read a review before they go see a film. The...
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Poems: Eating Treats
Which poem is best? Your kindergarten class follows along as you read three different poems. They decide which one they like best, then draw a picture to illustrate it. The class can also discuss why they chose the poems they did. A...
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The Start of a New Era for Roman Catholics
Read all about it! Check out this article from the New York Times. Kids read about changes made to the wording used in Catholic Mass. They consider these changes by responding to each of the 10 related questions that ask, who, what,...