Orange County Department of Education
Trapped by the Ice
Third graders read the story "Trapped by the Ice" which is about the Antarctic adventures of Sir Ernest Shackleton. They identify, write and share examples of respect and responsibility demonstrated by the stories' characters. Students...
Orange County Department of Education
Integrity and a Boy Called Slow
Fifth graders identify the character trait of integrity in the main character, Slow, in "A Boy Called Slow." They participate in a discussion to determine what steps the main character took to earn his new name. Students write an essay...
Curated OER
The Value of Respect
Students participate in discussions and listen to audio programs about giving and receiving respect. They identify disrespectful behavior and role play ways to promote respect in their own lives. They also examine the relationship...
Curated OER
Building Communities
Students examine the ADL's Pyramid of Hate and use it to identify bullying instances they are aware of. In this character education lesson, students discuss their findings and design activities or programs to combat bullying in their own...
Curated OER
Celebrity Philanthropists
Students research celebrity philanthropists. In this philanthropy lesson, students read an article about Andrew Carnegie and identify ways he was philanthropic. Students choose a celebrity philanthropist to research.
Curated OER
The ABC’s of Kindness
First graders practice random acts of kindness. In this character education lesson, 1st graders consider acts of kindness they can carry out and then identify them as they create ABC books of kindness.
Curated OER
Words Will Break Your Heart
Students practice being kind. In this character education lesson, students identify hurtful words they have heard and then share kind words they have heard. Students discuss the impact of hurtful words.
Curated OER
Declaration of Independence and Acts of Courage
Students examine the trait of courage. In this Declaration of Independence lesson, students discuss what it means to be courageous and identify the courageous acts the signers of the Declaration showed. Students research the...
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A Long Walk
Seventh graders identify ways people persevere in a difficult situation. In this character education lesson, 7th graders watch a video about a man with cerebral palsy and discuss ways he perseveres.
Curated OER
Designing Your Philanthropic Collage-Penny Drive
Students examine how philanthropy is a daily activity. In this philanthropy lesson plan, students identify philanthropic traits in themselves and reflect upon acts of everyday philanthropy they were involved in.
Curated OER
Follow the Leader: Line in the Visual Arts
Learners explore line in painting and drawing and examine how it is defined in the visual arts. Recognizing line in the composition of a number of art works and how it affects these works of art is the focus of this lesson.
Curated OER
Puberty/Adolescence, Day 1: Overview
What a simple way to have a health class learn about puberty! Worksheet 1 has a list of statements about puberty, and the class puts checkmarks in the boxes that they think applies to boys and/or to girls. Sure to promote lively...
Curated OER
Questions of Courage
Examine discrimination. In this character education lesson plan, learners read two biographies, Vivien Naki and Hamilton Naki then analyze their personal discrimination experiences. They complete a Venn diagram to compare and...
Curated OER
Color Me Happy: Color, Mood, and Tone
High schoolers examine how artists use color to set the tone of a painting. They analyze and discuss various paintings, complete a chart comparing the artists' color schemes and tones, and write a paragraph comparing two images.
Curated OER
Columbus: Hero or Villain?
Learners explore Christopher Columbus's motives. In this character education lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding the life and actions of Christopher Columbus in order to write essays that his actions as the...
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Writing in First and Third Person
Explore narrative writing by participating in a role-playing activity. In this perspective lesson, learners define first and third person in writing and discuss how it changes the mood of the reader. The first activity has pupils write...
John F. Kennedy Center
Musical Harlem: How Is Jazz Music Reflective of the Harlem Renaissance?
Bring jazz music and the Harlem Renaissance to light with a lesson that challenges scholars to research and create. Pupils delve deep into information materials to identify jazz terminology, compare types of jazz and jazz musicians,...
K20 LEARN
Nose Like a Cherry: Understanding Similes and Metaphors
Clement Moore's "Twas the Night Before Christmas" models the power of descriptive language for middle schoolers. They identify the similes and metaphors in the tale and consider what these descriptions add to the story's emotional...
Curated OER
Non-Verbal Communication
Many developmentally disabled students struggle with accurately conveying messages and interpreting those of others around them, especially when they are non-verbal. This lesson contains fun activities and exercises, such as talking with...
Media Literacy
Good Versus Evil: Exploring Popular Children's Animation
Dora, Buzz Lightyear, Mufasa. Swiper, Dr. Porkchop, Scar. The six lessons in this unit packet focus on how good and evil, and violence, are portrayed in children's animation. The lessons encourage kids to consider how violence is...
Curated OER
Tales of Edgar Allen Poe
Analyze the writing of Edgar Allen Poe by reading and then writing in a similar style. Budding authors learn about the life of Poe and read one or more of his famous works online. Partner groups create an original piece of writing using...
Curated OER
Immigrating to America
Coming to America as an immigrant can be an emotional and difficult process. This lesson has learners explore what it means to be an immigrant, listen to real life accounts, and visit an online museum. This is a wonderful discussion...
Curated OER
Puberty
Learners investigate the concept of puberty. They examine the social and emotional changes that take place. Individual students examine the kinds of changes they will go through. They are taught some coping strategies to deal with the...
Curated OER
Culinary Culture Quiz
The French bake some of the most delectable treats in the world. After you've discussed the French food culture and French recipes with your class, give them this quiz to assess their understanding. After they read the cooking directions...