Curated OER
Research a Poet and Explicate a Poem by that Poet
Using your school's media center, internet research, and a SMART board, 7th graders research a chosen poet and write a research report. Additionally, 7th graders explicate one poem by the poet within their report. Several resource links...
Curated OER
League of Nations
What is the League of Nations, when did it begin, and what is it's purpose? Young political minds can explore the answers to these questions through political cartoon analysis. Included are several political cartoons, an analysis...
NOAA
The Methane Circus
Step right up! An engaging research-centered lesson, the third in a series of six, has young archaeologists study the amazing animals of the Cambrian explosion. Working in groups, they profile a breathtaking and odd creature and learn...
Curated OER
Propaganda/Stereotypes Used in the Media
Students write a character sketch on a television character who they feel is a stereotype. In this propaganda/stereotype instructional activity, students discuss the definition of the terms and ways that the media uses both. ...
Curated OER
Mixed Media Painting
Students create mixed media still life paintings in this "Happy Accident" art lesson introducing the concepts of using pen and ink, watercolors, and pastels. The lesson can be adapted for various grade levels and abilities ranging from...
Curated OER
Grocery Aisle Signs and Locating Items
Students engage in lesson plan that is intended to help those who have mild disabilities with life skills. They focus upon the practice of shopping and finding items located in the grocery store. Students view a slideshow with different...
Curated OER
That Is Not My Opinion!
Being an informed citizen requires distinguishing fact from opinion and understanding persuasion methods. Secondary learners evaluate newspaper editorials. They read opinion pieces, identify the writer's purpose and position on an issue,...
Curated OER
Navigating Nonfiction
Third graders explore the arrangement of nonfiction. In this library skills instructional activity, 3rd graders examine Dewey Decimal classification as they collaborate to locate nonfiction materials in the library/media center.
Curated OER
Mixed Media Houses
Students select from collage and reference materials related to houses and develop a two dimensional work of art using various imagery and then draw or paint into a composition to achieve a work of art suitable for the gallery or add to...
Curated OER
The Other Drug War
Young scholars examine the concepts of media literacy and how they apply to prescription drug advertising. They watch and discuss the Frontline video, "The Other Drug War," complete a worksheet, and answer questions regarding magazine...
Facebook
Privacy and You
The stuff I share goes where? Social media scholars discover how sites collect and use metadata during a lesson about privacy and reputation. The activity demonstrates smart privacy settings and promotes good digital citizenship.
National Constitution Center
Creating Your Own Town Hall Poster
Middle and high schoolers are walking into a world rife with strong political viewpoints and vocal opinions. Help to prepare them for controversial discussions with a activity in which they choose, research, and learn more about a...
Curated OER
Find a Book
Student receives one book description card and in less than 2 minutes, they walk through the Media Center to find a book matching that description. After a matching book is found, each student evaluates the book.
Curated OER
Citing Sources
Practice citation skills with this activity, which takes learners to the Library/Media center. There, they will view a Powerpoint presentation and practice collecting data in both print and non-print sources. All necessary materials are...
Curated OER
Mass Manipulation
Students make a chart of the media's manipulation techniques and examples of them while watching and listening to a video tape of past news events.
Curated OER
Mystery Research Unit
Seventh graders participate in a "Solve the Media Center Mystery" using the directions that are included in the lesson. They role play as detectives as complete the activity and choose a research topic. They develop questions that they...
Curated OER
Studio Art Lessons Based on Latin American Arts
Study three of the basic principles of design: l) designs should create a rhythmic pattern made up of related shapes, 2) colors should be repeated so as to not force the eye to remain with a single part of the composition, and 3) a...
Curated OER
News View
Learners read and analyze three different news sources that describe the same event. They compare/contrast the similarities and differences of the news sources, and write an essay describing the main event.
Curated OER
Orientation to the Library
Students participate in an orientation to the high school library and locate various resources. In this orientation to the library lesson, students are introduced to the library by the media specialist. They learn the layout and...
Curated OER
Western Folklore Presentations
Students choose a folktale character to research using electronic encyclopedia, software, the Internet, media center and printed material. They focus their research around specific criteria to force the students to be selective and...
National Wildlife Federation
Quantifying Land Changes Over Time Using Landsat
"Humans have become a geologic agent comparable to erosion and [volcanic] eruptions ..." Paul J. Crutzen, a Nobel Prize-winning atmospheric chemist. Using Landsat imagery, scholars create a grid showing land use type, such as urban,...
National Wildlife Federation
What is DBH?
When measuring the circumference of a tree, does it matter how high you place the measuring tape? Most scholars have never considered this question, but scientists know that measurement techniques must be standardized. The 13th lesson in...
NOAA
Biological Oceanographic Investigations – What's in That Cake?
Have you ever tried to find hidden items in a picture when you don't know what you are looking for or how many things are hidden? A lesson applies that same concept to sampling the deep sea habitats. Participants must first create a...
Curated OER
Interpreting Statistics: A Case of Muddying the Waters
Is river pollution affecting the number of visitors to Riverside Center, and is the factory built upstream the cause of the pollution? Let your class be the judge, literally, as they weigh the statistical evidence offered by the factory...