Unit Plan
Curated OER

Magical Musical Tour: Using Music Lyrics to Teach Literary Elements

For Teachers 8th - 11th Standards
While music lyrics are often used to teach literary elements, the richness of this resource comes from the wealth of exercises, activities, and support materials provided in the packet.  Although designed for gifted learners, the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Land and Liberty: The Saga of Sam McCulloch

For Teachers 6th - 8th
The struggles of Sam McCulloch, a free black man, to be recognized as a citizen entitled to own land in Texas are the focus of research project that ask groups to examine a series of primary source documents and piece together...
Lesson Plan
MENSA Education & Research Foundation

It’s Greek to Me: Greek Mythology

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
It's no myth: this packet on Greek mythology is an excellent addition to your social studies curriculum. With writing activities, such as short answer responses and biopoems, and reading activities, which include creation stories and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Myths, Folktales, & Fairy Tales

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Introduce the concept of myths to your class. Using the link to "Myths Around the World," read a story aloud and have learners list characteristics of a myth. Readers then choose their own myths from the site and work in groups to answer...
Lesson Plan
National Security Agency

Let's Party With Place Value

For Teachers 2nd - 4th Standards
Put on your math caps and explore place value and ways to represent numbers. Learners read, write, and represent whole numbers. They interact with numbers as they read and explore a teacher-created story, play games, and practice their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Matthew Henson

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Discuss the work of Matthew Henson, an African American who traveled to the North Pole with Robert Peary. After reading the story "Matthew Henson" by Maryann N. Weidt, learners answer questions by drawing inferences and conclusions,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Good Story

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the contributions of philanthropists. In this philanthropy instructional activity, students watch "The Gift of All: A Community of Givers." Students then read biographies of philanthropists and create PowerPoint...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Fine Feathered Flock

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students role play different situations. For this respect lesson, students read Mr. Lincoln's Way, identify the story elements and answer comprehension questions. Students discuss how they can always treat others with respect and role...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Fables

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Time for a story! Learners of all ages enjoy listening to stories, so read them some common fables and have them work cooperatively to create a fable.  Differentiate for varying ability levels by providing sentence frames, graphic...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Literature: Frederick

For Teachers 1st
First graders read Frederick and illustrate a scene from the story. They connect their own backgrounds and experiences with scenes in the story. They identify the setting and conflict of the story.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

General Music: Grades 4 & 5

For Teachers 4th - 5th
The story behind the Star Spangled Banner sets off this singing and music lesson. Emergent singers study facts about Francis Scott Key and his famous song, they then discuss and practice singing the first verse paying close attention to...
Lesson Plan
Penguin Books

Folklore and Fairytales: A Guide to Using Traditional Tales and Reimagined Classics

For Teachers K - 8th Standards
Every culture has its own stories to tell. An interesting educator's guide shares a large collection of fairytales and folktales, some from different cultures and some re-creations of classics. A summary and brief teaching ideas...
Lesson Plan
UAF Geophysical Institute

System Interactions: The Lorax and the Truffula Tree

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
If the Lorax were to write a letter, what would he write? Introduce your class to systems and feedback loops through the whimsical stylings of Dr. Seuss. Learners take on the Lorax's point of view to write a letter, among other activities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Narrative pantomime

For Teachers K
Assign parts to read aloud Millions of Cats by Wanda Gag and have your young mimes act out their roles. This story focus on how beauty within is more important than outward appearance. Conclude by having your class provide an illustrated...
Study Guide
Reed Novel Studies

Hello Universe: Novel Study

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Every neighborhood has its own unique cast of characters, and the crew in the novel Hello Universe is no exception. The characters in Erin Entrada Kelly's novel take center stage in a study guide based on the text....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduce Vocabulary: The Surprise Garden

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students explore English by reading children stories in class. In this tier two vocabulary lesson, students read the book The Surprise Garden and identify the settings, plot and characters. Students define a list of vocabulary words from...
Lesson Plan
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National Endowment for the Humanities

A Raisin in the Sun: Whose "American Dream"?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How does Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun factor into a discussion of the American dream? High schoolers define the American dream and recognize the historical setting of the play. Additionally, they identify...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Little Prince (Chapters 1-4) by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students read Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince and complete reading and vocabulary activities. For this reading and vocabulary lesson, students review vocabulary for the story and identify story elements for the text.
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Robin Hood: England's Man of Mystery

For Teachers 5th
Students study the tale of Robin Hood to further their knowledge of character traits, improve their vocabularies, and increase their knowledge of the Medieval Ages. In this Robin Hood lesson, students complete 14 lessons that help them...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freckle Juice- Lesson 6

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students read Freckle Juice.  In this comprehension instructional activity, students complete a story map and discuss cause and effect based on readings from Freckle Juice.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arthur Meets the President

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students discuss the role of the President.  In this government lesson, students read Arthur Meets the President and complete a story map.  Students develop new vocabulary related to the story.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Story of Giving

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read a fable and identify their traits and values. They discuss how their family gives to others. They also predict the results of a lifetime of philanthropic giving.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ornithology and Real World Science

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Double click that mouse because you just found an amazing lesson! This cross-curricular Ornithology lesson incorporates literature, writing, reading informational text, data collection, scientific inquiry, Internet research, art, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Missing? Making Room for Multiple Perspectives

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students identify missing characters from a text, particularly a school text. They increase critical thinking by supplying missing perspectives in a text an build empathy through surveying different points of view. They reflect on the...