Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching with Collections

For Teachers Pre-K - 5th
Learners examine collections. In these real-world collections lessons, students examine and describe buttons and shells. Learners will then sort, classify, and graph items according to various indicated descriptors.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

When Clay speaks

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students listen as the teacher reads "When Clay Sings," by Byrd Taylor. They discuss clay, and view a variety of clay items. Students watch a video clip "Interests in One of a Kind Pots." They watch a demonstration on working with clay....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Nature Journal

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students create nature journals. In this introduction to the nature journal lesson, students discover the uses of nature journals and begin their own. Students are challenged to use vivid, concise terms in their descriptive language....
Lesson Plan
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Traveler's in Time

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students analyze artifacts to become familiar with the Great Migration.  In this migration lesson plan, students read an article and answer comprehension questions. Students role play a migration scenario using an artifact to help...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Working on the Railroad

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students plan a trip on the railroad.  In this railroad creation and implementation lesson, students listen to the song "Working on the Railroad", make a map of where the track was laid and discuss the geographical challenges. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Do We Learn From the Repartiation of Alaska Native Artifacts?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students observe and evaluate evidence of Alaska Native cultural symbols and artifacts. They research historical data from a variety of primary resources, including the Harriman expedition journals, related web sites, oral accounts,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Can We Be Both Conservationists and Consumers?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore their role as consumers and conservationists and what roles they play in today's economic climate. They explore resource allocation issues. Students analyze data and draw comparisons between historical and present-day...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Has Transportation Changed Since the 1899 Harriman Alaska Expedition?

For Teachers K
Students recognize modes of transportation. They research historical data from a variety of primary and secondary sources including the Harriman expedition journals, related web sites, and photographs from the expedition. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Study of Fossils

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders dig for fossils. In this fossil lesson, 5th graders read about the oldest found fossils and discuss the process of fossilization. They dig for their own fossils in a fossil box made of several dirt layers. 
Lesson Plan
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Legends of Airpower: Aviation-Then, Now and Here

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine the advancements made in aviation during and since WWII. They read an interview with Charles McGee, research a plane, build a model of a plane, and develop a Powerpoint presentation about aircraft.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Taking a Field Trip

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the importance of taking a field trip. They make predictions and practice making environmentally sound decisions. They watch a video clip about enhancing historical experiences.
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Curated OER

Learning About Location: Charting the Path of the George W. Elder

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Young scholars acquire a working knowledge of the geographical concepts: absolute location, relative location, longitude and latitude. They analyze primary sources that shows the physical and human characteristics of the places along...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Assessing and Making Maps

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students evaluate maps using the TODALSIGs basic map analysis system, explained on the worksheet. They create a map of Alaska using TODALSIGs. Students brainstorm the elements of maps.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sizing Up the Supersize Croc

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine and compare traits of humans and crocodiles.  In this crocodile lesson students use a ratio to estimate the height of a person and compare that to a crocodile. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Celebrating the Smithsonian's Birthday

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine online objects from the Smithsonian website and use them as subjects and inspiration for creative writing exercises.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gourmet Chef or Fast Food Mama?

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Learners examine the contents of a 17th century women's kitchen. Using probate records, they compare them with a historian's record of the same event. They complete an inventory of a kitchen of a women in their own lives.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Vietnam and the Long-Term Effects of War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine an image of civilians affected by the Vietnam War. They research and discuss the reasons the Vietnam War began, why America became involved, and what some of the long-term effects of this war have been.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Role and Influence of Salem's Merchants in Building Salem's Wealth and Expanding the East Indies Trade Through an Examination of Elias Hasket Derby

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the role of Salem's merchants. Using the live of Elias Hasket Derby, they identify how he helped open up Salem's ports to the world and how it helped America grow as a country. Reading primary source documents, they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Photographs - Writing the Artist's Statement

For Teachers 7th - Higher Ed
Students read an artist's statement by Dorothea Lange and write a statement based on their own photographs. In this photograph and writing lesson, students examine the relationship between photography and the artist's statement. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mosaic Pavement Panel

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young scholars analyze Mosaic art and identify the tessellation process. In this Mosaic art lesson, students read information about Mosaic art and the tessellation process. Young scholars compare mosaics from various civilizations and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Transportation

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore basic transportation vehicles, specifically air, land, and water vehicles, name six different modes of transportation, identify four different kinds of train cars, and three differences between two different modes of...
Lesson Plan
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Picture the 60s

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners consider how the 1960's impacted Great Britain. In this contemporary history lesson, students visit selected websites to discover information about the decade, popular culture, and women's rights.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bronze: Scientific Inquiry through Chinese Art

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine the use of bronze and porcelain in Chinese art and commerce through in-class activities, role play events, and small-group discussions in this exciting Social Studies/Arts lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ceramics Scientific Inquiry Through Chinese Art

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore, examine and study ceramics, a medium of historical importance to China. They review the advanced technology of the early Chinese civilization and are introduced to the scientific method of inquiry and make...