Curated OER
People and Places
Fifth graders investigate how the geography of the land effected the human experience of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They research using primary and secondary sources, design a map.
Curated OER
Celebrate Our Favorite Authors
Students read and compare and contrast a variety of books by their favorite authors. They sort books from various authors and identify themes and patterns in writing and drawings. They also create their own book in the style of their...
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US Geography: The Midwest
Students investigate the geography and agricultural products of the Midwestern United States. In this US geography instructional activity, students watch and discuss a video that depicts the Midwest of the US as the breadbasket of the...
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Conquistadors: Hernán Cortes
Students discover the accomplishments of Hernan Cortes. For this Exploration Age lesson, students discuss the attributes of Cortes and his role as a conquistador. Students then conduct further research to participate in a debate about...
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Suspension Bridges: Connecting Lives
Students explore bridges. In this bridge lesson, students design and build a suspension bridge after visiting related websites and reviewing famous bridges in non-fiction books. Students follow the instructions from the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Impact of a Poem's Line Breaks: Enjambment and Gwendolyn Brooks' "We Real Cool"
Students analyze the Gwendolyn Brooks use of enjambment in her poem "We Real Cool." In this poetry analysis activity, students define common poetic devices and the examples of enjambment in the poem. Students discuss the poem and write...
Curated OER
Language Acquisition: How Babies Learn a Language
Students create a book for small children. In this literary instructional activity, students examine the qualities in children's literature that capture the attention of the child. They then work in small groups to create a book to share...
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Allegory in Painting
Learners define allegory and discuss its use in visual arts. They identify and explain allegorical themes in a number of images.
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Conquistadors:Francisco Pizarro
Young scholars determine the reasons for Francisco Pizarro's success in vanquishing the Incas. They research the factors that played the greatest role in the conquest of the Inca Empire and write a paper explaining their conclusions.
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First Lady Fashions
Sixth graders research and explore the fashion of a certain time while identifying with the personal convictions and tastes of the famous first ladies of the past. They practice what they explore adjectives to describe what they see and...
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Micro Economics - Personal Budgeting
Learners explore the real world as it relates to money and how people use it. In this money management lesson, students jump into the real world as they role play with money through spending, saving, being married, single, having...
Curated OER
Decisions: Action or Apathy
Students examine the issues of action versus apathy as related to life pressures, values, consequences and career decisions. They read poetry, short stories and plays and respond to issues personally, critically and creatively.
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What is a Raptor?
Students explore, analyze and discover the characteristics of raptors and generate a word bank for owls and raptors. They identify attributes shared by raptors and practice various key vocabulary words to master and utilize in sentence...
Curated OER
Teaching with Primary Sources Across Tennessee: Debunking Civil War Photographs
Students analyze photographs and texts using primary source analysis. In this primary source lesson students determine whether the photographs and text are truthful.
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Pollination Parties
Students discuss the pollination of bees and butterflies. In this pollination lesson,students complete a worksheet answering questions about an imaginary bee pollination company. Students understand the relationship...
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Conquistadors: Inca Rebellion
High schoolers explore the Incan culture. In this Incan history lesson, students research the rebellions that occured upon the arrival of the Spanish conquistdors. High schoolers write essays regarding the rebellions and...
Curated OER
Earthquakes: Learn From the Past, Prepare for the Future
Students examine the destruction caused by earthquakes. In this community safety lesson, students examine the risk involved in living in an earthquake zone and how to prepare for future earthquakes.
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Scavenger Hunt
Students and their families participate in nature walk to locate, observe, and identify scavenger hunt items as well as other items of interest, compare and discuss finds with each other, and identify items found that do not belong in...
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Art: Weaving Based on Draft Patterns
Fourth graders observe the process of drafting a pattern on graph paper. After creating their own patterns, they create their own weavings, and explain its title to the class.
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A Picture Says a Thousand Words
Students create a writing selection with a well-developed plot. They use a personal photograph in which they are visible to base their autobiographical writing. They write a description of the events surrounding the photograph in the...
Curated OER
The Tobacco Time Bomb: What's In A Cigarette?
In this enlightening and disturbing health lesson, young scholars read and discuss information on smoking and closely-look at the ingredients in a cigarette. You will be amazed at the list of ingredients that are found in cigarettes....
Curated OER
Biodiesel: An Alternative Fuel Source
Students explore the advances that are being made in alternative fuels.In this biodiesel lesson students evaluate different petroleum and alternative fuels.
Curated OER
Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find": Who's the Real Misfit?
Students read and analyze the short story, "A Good Man Is Hard to Find," by Flannery O'Connor. They write a one-page response, explore various websites, take an online interactive journey, and write a final assessment paper.
Facing History and Ourselves
Who Are We?
Sixth graders explore the diversity of communities. In this community-building lesson, 6th graders compose biopoems and create a classroom exhibit entitled "Who am I? Who are We?"