Curated OER
Analyzing Free and Fair Elections
Students brainstorm the qualities of a "free and fair" elections. They read background information pertaining to the upcoming 2007 presidential elections. Pupils compare the "free and fair" elections list composed by students to the...
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Gathering Information
Students gather information from a variety of sources on a variety of topics and then prepare a written and oral report to be presented to their groups. They also cover the concept of group dynamics in depth within this lesson plan as...
Curated OER
The Island of the Skog
Fifth graders investigate the historical events that surround the life of Anne Frank. They study the available information found while doing research. They record events of discrimination seen in school for a short period of time and...
Curated OER
Local Leaders and Why They Are Successful
Students research local leaders and create a web page showcasing the leader.
Curated OER
Fact and Fiction in Little Women
Students read excerpts from the novel "Little Women." Students work in groups to research, analyze, and answer the questions included in the lesson. After research, students write a paper and include a bibliography. The students also...
Curated OER
Reading Strategies: Main Idea
Identify the main idea and the supporting details of a story in a literacy resource from Discovery Education. Complete with procedures, vocabulary, and assessment activities, this is a great way for pupils to practice their outlining...
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Idioms
It's often confusing which word should be used to complete a sentence. Although this instructional activity's title insinuates that idioms will be discussed, the practice section is just about using words like to, who, with, as, and that...
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Hidden Persuaders
Learners examine classic propaganda techniques to analyze factors which influence learning and thinking processes influencing formation of public opinion through these lessons.
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Classroom Newspaper
Fifth graders study the American Revolution. In this writing lesson, each group of students write a story that will go into the created newspaper depicting a day in the 1770's.
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Design Your Own Rollercoaster
Here is a physics lesson that your 5th graders should love. They explore the physics behind roller coasters by viewing roller coaster simulations online. Then, they work in pairs in order to design their own roller coasters and track....
Curated OER
Rainforest (Elementary, Social Studies)
Explore the rainforest with your class. Learners study the meaning of the word endangered, choose an animal to study, gather data, and discuss why the animal is in danger of extinction. This is a motivating way to have your class discuss...
Curated OER
Information Overload: Looking at News
How do events reported in mainstream newspapers, on television news, blog posts, and social network sites differ? Ask your class to investigate the way the same news item is presented in the many information sources available. Groups...
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KWHL Questioning Strategy Instructions: Siddhartha
". . . gentlenenss is stronger than severity, water is stronger than rock, love is stronger than force." Prior to beginning Siddhartha, employ a KWHL strategy to provided your class members with the background knowledge of Hinduism,...
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Lost Lyrics of Love, Lust, and Losers
Twelfth graders explore the connection between poetry and the "real world". They are reminded of the elements used in poetic interpretation, and use them to analyze various texts.
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Who Knew What When?
Students define words of relevance to the stock market and fair trading. They explore the significant events surrounding the charges brought against Martha Stewart as a means of learning how the stock market is governed.
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Connecting Immigrants In Black And White
Students explore the many ways that ethnic newspapers help immigrants in the United States stay connected to their cultures and countries of origin. They write articles for ethnic newspapers.
Curated OER
Revisiting Roe v. Wade
Students explore the American anti-abortion movement's "incremental" approach to legislation; they then evaluate key decisions, regulations, and legislation from the landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, to the present.
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Environmental Rhyme and Reason
Students employ poetry as a medium to relay information and express views about significant environmental issues that exist today and to assess their effects on The State of the Planet as we enter the next millennium.
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A Peaceful World
Students recognize the rights of children, what they mean, how the rights are violated, and how students can uphold those rights. Students express their knowledge and feelings about a right of their choosing.
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My Brother Sam is Dead: A study of the Revolutionary War
Fifth graders complete an analysis of the Revolutionary War through literature. After "My Brother Sam Is Dead," students create a time capsule containing items that would be relevant during the Revolutionary War. They identify key...
National First Ladies' Library
Safety or Civil Liberty? The Trial of Sacco and Vanzet
Students investigate the Sacco-Vanzetti trial and develop a basic understanding of the issues involved. Then they write an essay taking a stance on the Sacco-Vanzetti trial: was the trial fair? were the two men falsely accused? Finally,...
Curated OER
The Story of an Old Piano
Students read excerpts from The Story of an Old Piano. They choose a personal object and write paragraphs from the object's point of view. Their stories can be bound for the class library.
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It's A Dog-Eat-Dog World
Learners examine the dangers of owning and breeding aggressive dogs. They debate whether aggressive dogs should be kept as pets. They write an essay from their point of view about aggressive dogs as pets.