Curated OER
I Wood if I Could
Tenth graders investigate the process of how specific products are made from trees. For this chemistry lesson, groups of students must choose among ice cream, bubble gum, paper, toothpaste and lipstick. They research, design and...
Curated OER
Composer/Musician Study
Learners research a musician or composer of their choice and present their research through a written paper and free choice activity. This lesson can be done over the course of five to six classes with some homework. The paper...
Curated OER
Come to the Fair
High schoolers explore the concept of animal welfare. In this service learning lesson, students present a "Career with Animals" exposition as they research animal welfare careers and present their findings to their peers.
Curated OER
Making Decisions About Public Land
Middle schoolers write a proposal. In this public land lesson, students discuss the difference between private and public property and brainstorm what problems might occur if a citizen changed public property. Middle schoolers work in...
Curated OER
Reading Pattern Books
Students investigate pattern books. In this literature lesson, students read the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See? and use echo and choral reading strategies. Students identify the pattern in the text and write about the...
Curated OER
Courage to Be You: King Day (7th)
Students define discrimination and relate it to their own experiences. In this discrimination lesson plan, students discuss feeling like a stranger and complete a personal experiences worksheet. Students then find strategies to reduce or...
Curated OER
Roll the Tape! Roll the Tape!
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students use iMovie to create a video highlighting their middle school in order to share with incoming students.
Curated OER
Truth, Trash and Treasure
Students investigate how democracy in the United States makes civic virtue possible. They examine the rights and responsibilities associated with democracy. In small groups, they create public service posters that highlight these ideas.
Curated OER
Reading to Elementary Children
Students participate in a cross-age reading program. In this language arts lesson, students choose a class of younger children and read them the book The Legend of the Bluebonnet. Students reflect upon their service project in a journal.
Curated OER
Fire Escape Plan
Students explore fire safety. In this fire prevention and safety instructional activity, students discuss and brainstorm ideas about what to do if there is a fire. Students practice stating information that should be given when calling...
Curated OER
Picture This
Students create a descriptive paragraph about their past or their heritage and provide a picture to go along with it. In this past and heritage lesson plan, students share their paragraph with the class.
Curated OER
I AM a Researcher, "I"nca, "A"ztec, "M"aya
Students create and original multimedia presentation on the Incas, Mayans, or Aztecs. In this Meso-American civilization lesson, students research and then compare and contrast the civilizations of the Incas, Mayan and the Aztecs....
Curated OER
Separation of Powers
Eighth graders research the three branches of government and examine the effect that the separation of powers has on the presidency. They explain the importance of the rule of law in establishing limits on both those who govern and the...
Curated OER
Journalism Career Pathway Unit
Students explore a career in journalism while using various forms of technology; such as, distance learning via the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) and the Internet. They have the opportunity to create a final project that is based...
Curated OER
Meaning of Philanthropy
Middle schoolers explore the concept of philanthropy. For this service learning lesson, students discover what philanthropy is and identify people who benefit from philanthropy. Middle schoolers read selected newspaper articles regarding...
Curated OER
Courage of the Heart
Students research discrimination and how people fought against for the common good. In this discrimination lesson plan, students watch a movie about Alfred Blalock and Vivien Thomas. Students generate a list of words about...
Curated OER
Reading the Biography
Students explore the lives of famous Americans. For this biography lesson, students read biographies about famous Americans and keep reading journals as they read about setting, main events, and character sketches.
Curated OER
Philanthropy in Literature
Students research philanthropy in three genres: a play, a fable, and a parable. Students read an Aesop fable and answer questions in groups. Students complete steps in two worksheets from 'The Good San Franciscan' and 'Someone Should.'...
Curated OER
Kente Straw Weavings
Fourth graders explore world culture by creating an arts and crafts project in class. In this weaving instructional activity, 4th graders identify the Kente culture and their uses for straw and other natural elements in their...
Curated OER
Growing a Citizen
Students analyze messages and values associated with civic engagement present in the media. They analyze the local community's promotion of values associated with civic engagement by conducting investigative research. They hypothesize...
Curated OER
What Would Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Budha and Krishna Say?
High schoolers compare and contrast five different religions and the views that their leaders have in regard to civic responsibility and philanthropy. They choose one of the five leaders and write a letter outlining their perception of...
Curated OER
Folktales around the World (Middle, Reading/Writing)
Students analyze, synthesize, and use the elements of various US cultural folk tales to describe the elements of fiction in general and in folk tales specifically.
Curated OER
What Do I Want To Be When I Grow Up?
Students divide careers into clusters. In this vocational technology lesson, students prepare a PowerPoint presentation of one of the six career clusters. Working in small groups, students organize a variety of careers into...
Curated OER
Personal Medical History
Students record their personal medical history. In this medical history activity, students practice completing a medical history form. Students write with a purpose in this lesson.