Lesson Plan
Curated OER

This Land is Your Land? This Land is My Land!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students research the various territory acquisitions in United States history and create an annotated map that tells the history of U.S. expansion. Working in small groups, students outline the land acquisitions and purchases made by...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning From Picture Books and Technology

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders complete a demonstration on how to set up, use, and close down a camera. In this technology lesson plan, 5th graders complete the correct sequence and answer questions about camera usage.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning New Definitions

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Learners are introduced to new vocabulary. Then they are to guess what the words mean without using a dictionary. They organize words into a graphic organizer.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Astronomy and the Cold War: How the United States Used the Moon to Target the Soviet Union

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students examine how astronomical observations were used to help target sites in the Soviet Union during Cold War and why such targeting was needed. Students then make predictions and observations of same astronomical events for their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Surveying: 19 Chains and 50 Links

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Through an interdisciplinary lesson, emerging engineers explore the history of surveying systems. After discussing various systems, they perform surveys on printable pages. Using their geometric skills, they physically stake out plots...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Washington in Cincinnati

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders compare and contrast the leadership of George Washington and Cincinnatus. In this historical perspectives lesson, 7th graders research the noted Web sites to answer questions about the 2 men.
Lesson Plan
Middle Tennessee State University

A House Divided: The Civil War Home Front in Tennessee

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
To broaden their understanding of both the short term and long terms effects of the Civil War, class groups examine primary source materials and then assume the role of a family member and draft a letter to a soldier describing life at...
Lesson Plan
Civil War Trust

Civil War Soldier: Experiencing the Battle of Franklin

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Fighting a war over home soil makes a living nightmare even more real. Class members describe the experience of a Civil War soldier during the Battle of Franklin, poised right at a major turning point of the war, after researching the...
Unit Plan
100 People Foundation

100 People: Global Issues Through Our Lens

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
If the world were 100 people...17 would not have access to safe drinking water, 18 would not be able to read or write, and 52 would not have a primary education. Using the theme of "100 people," this resource explores other major issues...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coin Connections

For Teachers K - 1st
Students examine the Illinois state quarter and review Lincoln and the fact that he is also on the penny. They color paper coins, identify their values, and create a money mobile. They play a Cent Sense game to practice which coins are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freedom on My Mind: A Marginalized Voice in the Segregated South

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers analyze the film, "Freedom on My Mind." They view the film and discuss its points in small groups. They create a fictional southern state reflecting segregation in the 1960's. They present their states to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Turtle Lesson

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students explore the five common turtles that are native to the eastern United States. They investigate each turtle's characteristics, environment, means of protection, eating habits, and show how they can help these turtles survive.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ellis Island Tapestry

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students participate in a simulation activity. They explore Ellis Island and experiences that immigrants in the late 1800's had on their way to the United States. The role play includes questioning by inspectors, a manifest list, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oral History of World War II

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students research how citizens from the United States respond to the onset, duration and aftermath of World War II. They view clips from the movie "Swing Shift" and discuss the roles of civilians, minorities and military personnel. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cities

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars examine U.S. Census figures. In this urban centers lesson, students compare city populations across the span of 50 years. Young scholars create line graphs based on the data.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Tree is That?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine leaves and the trees in their neighborhood that they came from.  In this ecology lesson, students read the book, I Can Name 50 Trees Today, and discuss how a tree goes from a forest to a wood shop.  Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

As Good As Gold

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students find examples of the Golden Ratio on the human body through measurement. Additionally, students learn about the use of the Golden Ratio and the Golden Rectangle in art and architecture. A very interesting lesson for the students!
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to Puberty

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students describe some of the common external changes associated with puberty. They are introduced to the topic by stating that often these classes are called sex education classes. Students asked: what have you heard about these...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our community and New York City

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research websites to gather information about New York City and the Ridgewood community.  In this New York City and Community lesson plan, 4th graders make a semantic map. Students write short postcards to send to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making a Colorado Brochure

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Learners create brochures reflecting the state of Colorado. In groups, they write about tourist attractions, important people, major cities, and statistical information. After writing, they create their brochure importing clip art and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pioneer Perspectives-Diverse Opinions on Westward Migration

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Young scholars examine the Westward Migration and expansion of the United States from the perspective of a family migrating westward. They analyze pictures, and in small groups write and present a script based on a photograph,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration Reform: Understanding the Issue From Different Points of View

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the topic of immigration reform. They conduct research on groups representing various viewpoints on immigration, write and perform a role-play, and write a persuasive essay or letter to a state senator on their views of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Studies: Campaign Finance Reform

For Teachers All
Students develop arguments for and against campaign finance reform, examine federal and state laws that attempt to limit contributions to political candidates, evaluate various plans for campaign finance reform and formulate their own...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Issue of Loyalty: Exploring the Treatment of Japanese Americans During World War II

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners consider the meaning of loyalty. They explore the history of Japanese in the United States. and consider the meaning of citizenship. They create a presentation for the class. It can be a poster, Power Point or other...