Curated OER
Pictures of the Past: I Remember When...
Students, after discussing and analyzing the value of reminiscence for people of all ages, write a reminiscence essay on their own lives and then create a story form the perspective of an older person.
Curated OER
Planning a Railroad Online Lesson
Students design a train route using a topographical map. In this historical and spatial thinking lesson plan, students must plan a route through the Sierra Nevada mountains that a train could physically travel. Links to printable student...
Curated OER
Battery Power
Sixth graders examine how much energy they use in the form of battery power. They examine the cost of using regular vs. rechargeable batteries and examine the effect on the environment of the two types of batteries. They discover that...
Curated OER
Plant Life in Action
Sixth graders examine various habitats and record the living creatures they found. In this biodiversity lesson plan, 6th graders complete a worksheet recording their observations. Students draw conclusions about the climate and its...
Curated OER
That #!%@! English class
Learners research the Alameda story. They interview English teachers, curriculum experts, parents, etc. to view their intake on the story line. Students conduct research on issues and interests by generating ideas and questions on a...
Curated OER
To Whom It May Concern! Writing for a Variety of Audiences
Elementary learners write friendly letters with the same subject to two contrasting readers or audiences. They choose words and phrases that will be the most effective for the audience they are trying to reach. They read both letters and...
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Alphabet
Primary learners will make posters, trace letters, and eat letter cereal, all to learn about the alphabet. They will also go on a scavenger hunt around the room looking for letters. This resources has lots of ideas for bringing about...
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Mathematics & Nutrition
Young scholars apply math to calculate fat and calories in the food they eat. They examine food package information to become aware of the ingredients and to learn about healthy life styles. They work in groups to create crazy meals...
Curated OER
What's My Story? A Book About Me
Have your class create keepsake books about themselves. This activity is a presented as a basic idea with minimal justifications or classroom applications. However, with a little effort, this could become a full lesson. Add a rubric,...
Seattle & King County Family-Planning Program
Gender Roles
Class members identify gender-specific roles and expectations in American society today by surveying adults, examining modern entertainment, and researching historical figures.
PBS
Historical Perspectives: Coming Home from War
What do the homecoming experiences of soldiers who fought in WWII, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan reveal about the politics and culture of the US during the time period of each war? Young historians view The Way We Get By, which tells...
Curated OER
Ben Franklin Timeline
Celebrate inventions such as lightning rods, bifocals, and stoves with a Ben Franklin Day. Young historians conduct research and write a paragraph about an accomplishment of Benjamin Franklin including an illustration...
Curated OER
Catch-22
During or after reading Catch-22, have your high school scholars complete this research project. First they'll brainstorm a list of people they might like to research, then they'll dive into your library's resources! There are...
Curated OER
Where is Grand Dewey Daddy?
Third graders find books. In this library instructional activity, 3rd graders use the Dewey Decimal System to find books and determine the shelves they are located on.
Curated OER
Glossary, Index, and Table of Contents
Fourth graders use two separate sources to learn about index, glossary, and table of contents usage. For this library lesson, 4th graders use two books, Learning About Weather with Graphic Organizers, and The World Almanac for Kids, to...
Curated OER
Learn the Shapes
Students examine and identify the similarities and differences of two-dimensional shapes. They play an I-Spy shape game, participate in a classroom Shape Search, and create illustrations of shapes for a shape collage.
Curated OER
African-American Participation in Wars and Conflicts
Students research the enlistment of African Americans, including particular divisions and individuals, in different conflicts. They, in groups, research past American military conflicts, and report on the experience of African Americans...
Curated OER
Living in a Healthy Environment: The Pleasures of Life
Students describe their home environment and how to keep it healthy. They discuss way in which they can make their environment healthy.
Curated OER
Cargoes from Three Continents Ancient Mediterranean Trade
Sixth graders begin the activity by researching the different types of ships and shipbuilding techniques used to help trade in the Mediterranean Sea. Using different objects, they determine what one can tell about a society and discuss...
Curated OER
Language Arts: Laws of Life
Students participate in the iEARN Project by completing a questionnaire about values and lessons they have learned. They read sample essays by other students in the project about their views on the laws of life. They then write and post...
Curated OER
A Creative Presentation
Students read chapter books by Gary Paulsen. In groups, they identify imagery presented in the book. Students locate 10 quotes, categorize each quote into one of the five senses, and then organize it and create a display of their three...
Curated OER
Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Students are introduced to the characteristics of fables. They read a fable by Aesop. In small groups, students identify fable characteristics present in Aesop's story and share their observations with the class.
Curated OER
Because of Winn-Dixie
Students make connections with the book Because of Winn-Dixie through writing. In this writing lesson, students pretend to be the main character and write a letter to her mother, using very descriptive language. Students also...
Curated OER
Flags
Students explore flags. In this social studies civics lesson students listen to Flags of the Metis by Calvin Racette. Students identify examples of symbols used in the 21st century. Students research information about flags, design an...