National Endowment for the Humanities
The Argument of the Declaration of Independence
When in the course of a course on historic American events, it becomes necessary for learners to examine, with decent respect, the Declaration of Independence, it becomes evident that there are six separate and equal parts of that...
Read Works
Figurative Language
Here's a richly detailed unit, designed for second graders, that focuses on decoding figurative language, including similes, metaphors, personification and idioms.
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
EarthViewer
Can you imagine Washington DC and London as close neighbors occupying the same continent? Learners will be fascinated as they step back in time and discover the evolution of the earth's continents and oceans from 4.5 billion...
University of Wisconsin
Teaching Things Fall Apart in Wisconsin: A Resource Guide for Educators
“There is no story that is not true, . . .” And uncovering the truths in Things Fall Apart is the focus of a 68-page resource packet designed to provide instructors with a wealth of materials that enhance understanding of Chinua Achebe’s...
ReadWriteThink
Comics in the Classroom as an Introduction to Narrative Structure
A picture is worth a thousand words, but a comic strip combines both images and words for the ultimate narrative effect. After reading The Three Little Pigs and deciphering the plot elements, elementary readers work through four...
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Learning About Opioids
Feeling high is not the only side effect of abusing prescription opioids. Middle and high schoolers learn more about specific painkillers, including Fentanyl, Oxycodone, and Clonazepam, as well as their common brand names and extensive...
Curated OER
Doodle Bug Family Web
Students discuss families, what makes up a family, and things families do. They create a web diagram to organize information about their families.
Curated OER
Light at the Bottom of the Deep, Dark Ocean?
High schoolers participate in an inquiry activity. They relate the structure of an appendage to its function. They describe how a deepwater organism to its environment without bright light.
Curated OER
Get Out of the Box
Third graders think outside the box with this lesson in organization through webbing. After a lecture/demo, 3rd graders utilize a worksheet imbedded in this plan which guides them through creating a writing web.
Curated OER
The Puzzle of Philanthropy
Students research community organizations in their area. They identify three acts of philanthropy and three resources in the community that could help the common good. They reflect on their research in journal writings.
Curated OER
Explore Chapters 1 - 5
Students preview the novel, "Dragonwings," by Laurence Yep, make connections between the novel previewed and their prior knowledge, other texts, and the world. They utilize graphic representations including charts, graphs, pictures, and...
Curated OER
Graphic Timeline
Students complete a written timeline organizer utilizing information from the "Who Am I?" reflection/response handout. They create a graphic time line illustrating important event in their lives in sequential order with the help of...
Michigan Sea Grant
Food Web II
A food web consists of complex food chains and the more complex the web, the better likelihood of survival. Learners compare and contrast food webs and food chains and discuss concepts like the predator-prey and consumer-producer...
Curated OER
Ecosystems of the World
Students are able to list different ecosystems and describe their environment and organisms. They have an understanding about the function and balance of the ecosystems. Students are able to tell what type of ecosystem the St. Mary's...
Curated OER
Safe Food Supplies
Students answer the question how are food supplies maintained safely for human consumption? They are able to answer the following questions: what personal and pulic decisions must be made regarding the safe handling of food?, What are...
Curated OER
Responding to A Sound of Thunder by Writing PowerPoint Presentations
Students, after reading "A Sound of Thunder," create a PowerPoint presentation about time travel. They study and utilize a graphic organizer to assist them in preparing to deliver an oral presentation next and finally they print their...
Curated OER
Introducing Biographies-Getting to Know You
Learners study biographies as a nonfiction genre while examining a variety of examples. Next, they access and complete an online tutorial about biographies. They choose one person that interests them to conduct further research using a...
Curated OER
Johnny Appleseed or John Chapman: Which Character is Your Favorite?
Students study the life of John Chapman and compare it with the fictional character, Johnny Appleseed. Students listen to books about Johnny Appleseed, and watch a video and PowerPoint if available. They make a KWL chart, make an online...
Curated OER
Makers of the Law, The Legislative Branch
Students, in teams, research the legislative branch and complete a "Legislative Information List." Teams research different parts of the list and jigsaw teach the other groups about each part. One group researches names of state officials.
Curated OER
Pond Water Survey
Students identify and describe various organisms living in a pond water environment. They describe the characteristics of living things. Students compare and contrast organisms created by asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction....
Curated OER
Marine Food Web
Students investigate the effects of the food chain on all animals by creating a food web. In this seafood activity, students discuss energy flow and research a specific marine organism of their choice. Students create a food...
Curated OER
A Wild Family Album!
Learners create a scrapbook style family album for a selected animal. They complete an interactive Internet activity on research reports, fill out a graphic organizer, diagram a food web, and complete their scrapbook that includes...
Curated OER
Digestive System Analogies--A Group Activity
Learners study the human digestive system in order for the students to relate common kitchen items to the function of specific digestive organs. They list major organs on one side and find the item or appliance most analogous to the...
Curated OER
Tell It to the Judge - Persuasive Essay
Students compare and contrast a classic fairy tale with a fractured one and complete a graphic organizer. Then they write a persuasive essay following the steps of the writing process. Finally, students publish their completed essay and...