National First Ladies' Library
Designing the Common School: The First Educational Reform
Middle schoolers perform preliminary research to explore education before public (common) education was in place. They design a public educational system of their own. Middle schoolers construct a report outlining challenges and...
Curated OER
Individual Empowerment in the Face of Oppression
Sixth graders investigate non-violent ways of dealing with conflicts by performing short plays. In this philosophy instructional activity, 6th graders discuss how men can gain power in a non-violent manner similar to Gandhi's...
Curated OER
The War of the Worlds
Students discover the concept of media based on literature. In this War of the Worlds lesson, students read the novel The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells and listen to the 1938 radio broadcast adaptation by Orson Welles. Students then...
Curated OER
Comparison/Contrast Composer Study
Pupils choose two composers to research and complete a compare and contrast study of them. In this composer research lesson plan, students select two composers to research. Pupils use Internet sources, the library, and music class...
Curated OER
Ceramics - African African American Folk Art
Students gain appreciation and knowledge of art history, specifically the African American contributions to folk art made in the South Carolina region.
Curated OER
The Media
Learners identify various forms of media used in a political campaign and compare the different formats as vehicles for distributing political messages. They analyze the effectiveness of candidate's uses of different media.
Curated OER
Design Your Own Cereal Box
Students explore the ways in which media messages work and the ways in which consumers are targeted.
Curated OER
Teaching Nutrition Using the Food Guide Pyramid
Second graders explore how to make healthy eating choices. There are goals included for students to meet by the end of fifth grade.
Curated OER
Bag Lunch
Students rate foods as safe or unsafe and follow rules for food safety to make them safer.
Curated OER
The Quiet Beatle
Students investigate the life and music of George Harrison. They complete a Webquest, read an online biography, watch a video, listen to audio clips, answer discussion questions, and organize a simulated benefit concert.
Curated OER
Spider Anatomy Lesson: Is It a Spider?
Students review information on a website which shows different types of spiders. They sort images of spiders from other insects. They create their own spider out of materials and share them with their classmates.
Curated OER
INFORMATION FLUENCY UNIT
Seventh graders, after defining/brainstorm the task, divide up into groups and are assigned to an alternative energy source (wind, solar, or water) to research. They complete a presentation with visuals on their findings from their...
Curated OER
Heat and Light Come From Various Sources
First graders study heat and light and how they come from various sources. They list sources of heat and light and identify the different energy sources as heat, light, or both heat and light.
Curated OER
Habits of Mind
Second graders explore sound pollution. They discuss the various sources of sound pollution. Students relate the intensity of sounds to pollution. They create a collage of various causes of sound pollution.
Curated OER
Historical Fiction: A Wealth of Interpretations
Students read a book from the Dear America series and contrast different points of view. They respond to the book either by participating in a literature circle or completing a journal entry. They compare and contrast two books or a...
Curated OER
Stamp It!
Students explore environmental issues through art. In this stamp lesson, students use preconsumer waste paper and colored pencils to create rubber stamp designs. This is an environmentally safe lesson.