Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abolition and the Underground Railroad in Essex County

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the end of slavery and the hidden paths slaves used to travel.  In this U.S. history lesson, 5th graders examine the travel routes slaves used in Essex County known as the Underground Railroad....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Developing Civilizations and the Role of Rice

For Teachers 5th
Student investigate how civilizations developed. In this rice farming instructional activity, 5th graders explore how rice cultivation changed through different civilizations. Students gain knowledge about different types of rice, where...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Zen and the Design of Homework Desks

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Young scholars investigate zen. For this design lesson, students use ideas from zen to create a study area. Young scholars understand how different environments affect work habits. Students research how young scholars in other countries...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Golden Spike

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate modern transportation in the 19th century by examining artifacts.  In this U.S. history lesson plan, students read the story Joseph's Railroad Dreams, and discuss the Golden Spike used in the first...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weathervanes in the Wind

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Students investigate wind and weather by creating a weathervane.  For this environment lesson, students identify the purpose of a weathervane and observe weathervanes in action on their campus.  Students create a weathervane...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dred Scott and the Constitution

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the outcome of the Dred Scott case. In this human rights lesson, students read Justice Taney's decision about property rights and citizenship. Students write essays about the outcome of the case and President...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Abolitionist Movement: A Fight for Freedom

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders investigate the Civil War by identifying famous figures of the era. In this slavery abolitionist lesson, 6th graders read a text on the history of the Civil War and discuss heroes of the era such as Harriet Tubman and John...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil War and Reconstruction

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the Civil War by researching the state of Virginia.  For this US History lesson, 4th graders identify Abraham Lincoln, James Chestnut and Fort Sumter, and discuss their roles in the start of the Civil...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Patchwork Path

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate slavery by reading a book with their classmates. In this abolitionist movement activity, 4th graders read the story The Patchwork Path, and discuss the creation of the Underground Railroad. Students create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music: A Nation's Voice

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the impact of popular music in 1960's America. In this music and history lesson, students listen to several identified songs from the decade and analyze their lyrics. Students discuss their impressions and then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Land of Milk and Honey

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine the term multiculturalism.  In this Cross Curricular History and Social Studies lesson, 9th graders analyze a video clip.  Students investigate the requirements for becoming a citizen in Australia.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Germ Warfare

For Teachers 3rd - 11th
Students research superbugs. In this personal health lesson, students visit selected websites to investigate the use of antibiotics and the prevalence of staphylococci.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Richmond Nature Park Field Trip

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students identify different plants and their uses by attending a field trip. In this Canadian plant activity, students explore the great outdoors of Vancouver, B.C. and discuss the uses of plants by the Native Americans that once resided...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Live Out Loud" Celebrates Pride Week

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students investigate human relationships by creating oil paintings in class. In this gay pride lesson, students discuss why the Pride parade is so important, who appears at the parade and how art is used to spread awareness of gay...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fungi

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Young scholars examine the characteristics of fungi. In this biology lesson, students investigate the factors needed for fungi growth. They collect data and observations and write a report about them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science NetLinks: Fossils and Geologic Time

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the development of the geologic time scale. Also, to introduce them to the major time periods in earth's history, as well as to the role fossils play in helping us understand this history.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth and Beyond!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars investigate one or more of the following topics and develop a plan for the future regarding it: global warming, lunar exploration, space travel, Mars exploration, or terraforming. They disucss the audio files and the...
Lesson Plan
Scholastic

The Rise of Railroads: Illinois

For Teachers 4th Standards
Railways not only cross the US, but they are also intertwined with the history of America. Using a timeline format, individuals explore the connections between major events in American history—such as the Civil War—and the rise of the...
Lesson Plan
Albert Shanker Institute

Economic Causes of the March on Washington

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Money can't buy happiness, but it can put food on the table and pay the bills. The first of a five-lesson unit teaches pupils about the unemployment rate in 1963 and its relationship with the March on Washington. They learn how to create...
Activity
Digital Public Library of America

Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Zora Neale Hurston's novel Their eyes Were Watching God has been highly praised and severely criticized for its depiction of African American folk culture. A set of primary source materials, including photographs, articles, essays, and...
Lesson Plan
American Institute of Physics

African American Physicists in the 1960s

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Physicists Herman Branson and Tannie Stovall provide young scholars with two very different perceptions of the status of African American physicists in the 1960s. After reading and comparing the bios of these two men, class members read...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Urbanization

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the impact of urban change. For this Indiana history lesson, students read excerpts of The World Does Move by Booth Tarkington and then research the noted Web sites about the urbanization of Indianapolis. Students then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Dig or Not to Dig: The Stadium Showdown

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine an ethical public dilemma. In this cultural resource instructional activity, students role play to examine their personal beliefs regarding the protection of cultural resources. They evaluate possible actions they can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Landforms And The Oregon Trail

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the historical context for the founding of The Oregon Trail. They conduct research to put together the events that led to the geographical route that was taken. The lesson also strengthens geography skills with...