Curated OER
Dictionary Work - Entry Words
Second graders examine the use of entry words in the dictionary. In this dictionary use lesson plan, learners look at guide words in a children's dictionary as the teacher/librarian describes the characteristics of each entry. They...
Curated OER
Lesson 3: Encyclopedias
After being introduced to non-fiction texts, second graders meet a different type of non-fiction text that can help them locate factual information. They discuss and examine all of the features found in typical encyclopedias such as,...
Curated OER
Guide Words
Third graders investigate guide words. In this library lesson, 3rd graders investigate guide words in reference materials and complete an alphabetizing worksheet.
Curated OER
An Illustrated Guide to the Late 1800's
Eleventh graders investigate the time of the late 1800's. They conduct research using a variety of resources that could include the internet. Students create an alphabetized encyclopedia of important historical people of the time period.
Curated OER
Introducing the Encyclopedia
Second graders examine a set of encyclopedias to see that there are numbered set of books that include facts on a variety of subjects. They watch a the teacher demonstrates how to use the books. They complete a "Encyclopedia Match"...
Curated OER
Fourth Grade Language: Research Process
In this review of fourth grade resource usage worksheet students answer questions about guide words, library database, resources for specific information, parts of a book, and dictionary usage. Students answer 10 questions.
Curated OER
Interplanetary Travel Guide
In groups of six, middle school space scientists create an imaginative travel brochure for attracting visitors to the planet Mars. Information must include surface features and atmospheric conditions. Although time-consuming, this is a...
Curated OER
Let Me Be Your Guide - A Guided Tour of the Dictionary
Fifth graders, in teams, compete arranging vocabulary words into alphabetical order. They complete different worksheet activities to practice locating designated words in a dictionary.
Curated OER
Democracy in Action
Students consider words that reflect their knowledge and opinions about democracy. They work in groups to research countries that have recently transitioned to democratic forms of government.
Curated OER
The Civil War as Photographed by Mathew Brady
Students gain historical background on the Civil War era from textbooks, encyclopedias, or supplemental material. Assign at least two photographs for each student to analyze using the Photograph Analysis Worksheet which is imbedded in...
Curated OER
Ancient Egyptian History/African Literature Activity
High schoolers gain a conversant knowledge of some aspect of ancient African literature of the eighteenth dynasty (1572-1315 B.C.) in Egypt. They choose either to make a crossword puzzle or a word search with at least 20 key words from...
Curated OER
Marvelous Mysteries
Fifth graders explore mystery stories. In this reading and writing instructional activity, 5th graders complete a planning guide for an original mystery. Students use the writing process to create a mystery story.Â
Curated OER
Off the Record
Music reflects culture and culture is reflected in popular music. Reading an article on how hip-hop has affected the lives of two young men of different races launches an investigation of the development and influences of various musical...
Curated OER
Alphabet Animals
Second graders create an encyclopedia of unusual animals, using a variety of resources to collect their information. Each student illustrates an animal and provides a brief description for each letter of the alphabet. A very nice,...
Curated OER
Planning for the Voyage - Pilgrim Study Unit
Students locate Plymouth, MA, Hudson River, Cape Cod, Holland and England on a map. They identify the reasons the Pilgrims came to the New World and explain how the investors and the colonists would each benefit from a new colony. After...
Curated OER
Organizing Ideas
Eighth graders investigate varous writing skills as part of larger course of study. The lesson is essentially a rough guide for conducting a class for writing. The main focus of the plan is organizing ideas using various strategies that...
Curated OER
Identify Virginia Native Animals
Students practice using an online encyclopedia to research native animals to Virginia. Using the information from the encyclopedia, they identify the main and supporting ideas. They share their information with the class using the...
Curated OER
Endangered Species
Students research the issue of species endangerment by exploring threatened animals, their habitats, and the environmental challenges associated with them. They explore the relationships between living things and their environment....
Curated OER
People Do Not Live in Round Houses
Third graders use a computer as a research tool. They make note cards as they go and use their note cards to guide their word processing. They edit their papers and add artwork.
Curated OER
Publishing a Group Book
Students examine various alphabet books. They write several sentences for their assigned letter of the alphabet, type them onto a word processing program, and create an illustration for a class alphabet book.
Curated OER
South Korea
Students use primary and secondary resources in order to investigate the culture of South Korea. They use guiding questions that progressively lead them to higher order thinking to make connections from the information to how people live.
Curated OER
Come Visit My State!
Fourth graders conduct research on a selected state in the United States. They complete a WebQuest and conduct research on a variety of websites. Students then organize and present a visual display about their state that includes a...
Curated OER
Language Arts: Plotting Stories
Second graders read the story, "The Foolish, Timid Rabbit," as part of a unit on appearances. After reading with partners, they write their own stories that include elements about some forms of matter from their science studies. Students...
Curated OER
Doing Dewey Decimal
Learners examine the Dewey Decimal System and locate books in the nonfiction section. They examine a shelf of books and try to determine how the books are arranged, then watch a short video "Media Mania." Students then match construction...