Curated OER
Rethinking Perpetrators, Bystanders, and Rescuers: The Case of Max Schmeling
Students examine the life and actions of Max Schmeling during World War II. They read and analyze an article, compare/contrast Schmeling's choices with other people during this time period, and write a journal response.
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Fluctuations in the Price of Oil
Students examine the fluctuating gas prices and the effect it has on the Canadian economy by reviewing an online database that contains information on the retail price of gas for Canada's largest cities.
National First Ladies' Library
Mark Twain's America
Pupils read Huckleberry Finn, analyze text for historical contexts, and write book report emphasizing historical elements, type report comparing and contrasting events in book to events of today, create Powerpoint presentation...
National First Ladies' Library
Executive Order 9066: Japanese-American Internment
Students analyze conditions under which sections of United States Constitution are superceded, research history of Native Americans, African Americans, and Japanese Americans, and debate policy of reparations for various minority groups...
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We The People
Young scholars engage in this introductory unit of history which is ideal for the first few weeks of instruction. The unit is meant to prepare students for the nation wide contest associated with History Day.
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Daily Writing from Self Selected Reading
Second graders practice their reading comprehension by analyzing stories they read in class. In this children's literature lesson, 2nd graders are assigned to read a book for 20 minutes each day in class and also reflect on it in their...
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Base It
Third graders complete place value charts in the decimal system, the binary and Hexadecimal system. They discuss the contributions made by Ada Lovelace to computer language. They express the idea of place value with exponents.
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Animals
Pupils demonstrate and understanding of animal coverings and types of movement through drawings, making of booklets and categorization activities.
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Imus: How much free speech is too much?
Students read background about Don Imus and his comments about the Rutgers women's basketball team. They explore current interpretation of the First Amendment, including that of commercial speech. Students present the findings to class...
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Nutrition
Students determine which foods help keep our bodies healthy. They identify the six food groups and classify different food items into the correct categories of the food pyramid. They evaluate for one week the foods that they eat and...
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How was the Constitution Used to Organize the New Government?
How did the United States Congress determine how the new president and vice president would be named when the nation was first established? Who would provide money for the government, and how would the executive branch be organized?
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Idea-Noun Definition: Source Searching
A great idea for showing language arts pupils the universality of themes, even in the real world! Have class members choose an idea-noun (peace, justice, war, love, etc.) at the beginning of the year or semester. They complete weekly...
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Families and Communities
Here is a week-long lesson on the roles of family members designed for first graders. In it, learners share stories of their families, listen to books about families read to them by their teacher, complete homework assignments and...
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Narrative Writing
A perfect nonfiction writing activity for the beginning of the year, the Life Line helps you get to know your pupils better and helps the children get to know one another. Later in the year the Star of the Week writing activity...
Curated OER
Poem in Your Pocket Day: Ideas for Celebrating
First instituted in New York City in 2002 and recognized nationwide in 2009, "Poem in Your Pocket Day" is part of National Poetry Month (April) and celebrates poetry in everyday life. A brief news story includes 9 ideas about how to...
Curated OER
Speaking Out Against War
Students discuss the affect the Iraq War has had on citizens taking advantage of their right to express themselves through non-violent protests and pledges of resistance. They research and discuss local community and school events and...
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Inverse (Indirect) Machines
Students observe relationships between quantities. Students complete activities for three different classes of levers. In groups, students build each type of lever. Students identify levers in their daily surroundings. Students observe...
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Dolch Sight Word Booklet
First and second graders expand their vocabulary by reading a word recognition booklet. In this English vocabulary lesson plan, learners utilize a booklet of 220 basic sight words which they read over everyday and are quizzed on...
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Healthy Heart Night
The idea of having a Healthy Heart Night at your school is a fabulous thought. Here are a few ideas that detail was done at one elementary school. It would take a lot of organizing to make it happen, but seems well worth the effort. This...
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Identifying Birds
Eighth graders identify and name birds in their school yard by comparing and contrasting pictures of 12 common birds in the Phoenix metro area using the Ecology Explorers Protocol. They formulate questions based on observations that lead...
Desert Discoveries
Creating a Garden Journal
Youngsters create science journals which are used to record observations from the school garden. The goal of this activity is to help kids tune into nature by making daily observations on the growth of the plants, and also to take note...
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Encouraging Others in Class, in the Workplace, in the Home
Students write a letter of encouragement to a classmate to encourage each other and practice writing skills.
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Follow Your Dreams: Career Goals
It is so important for impending high school graduates to start thinking about their potential careers. Here, they discuss the persistence of Blondie Hasler and his impressive transatlantic trip. They follow various routes on a map and...
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Shasta Dam: How High is Too High?
Research water use in California, environmental protection laws, and the proposition to raise Shasta Dam by 200 feet. Researchers use their findings to build an argument which will be presented at a mock decision panel. Groups then...