Curated OER
Vocabulary in the Content Area
Students make connections between new vocabulary words and what they already know by illustrating the words and writing about them.
Curated OER
"Building a Word Wall" Roots - The Foundation of Language
Students probe the impact of Greek and Latin on the English language in this ten lesson unit. Root words are analyzed for their origins and displayed on a word wall. Inventions are created using the words and placed in a class museum.
Vanderbilt University
Dia de Los Muertos
To honor El Dia de los Muertos, scholars work together to create Day of the Dead displays—paper sugar skulls and banners—that bring a festive and memorable flare to the classroom.
Austin Independent School District
Social Studies Strategies: Concept of a Definition Map
Model for your class members how to use a definition map to make connections between new words and prior knowledge. Although the strategy is designed for social studies classes, the approach can be use at any grade level and in any...
Curated OER
You're Grounded
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read a 6-paragraph article about the Iceland volcanic eruption that halted European transportation in 2010. Students respond to 5 short answer questions regarding the article....
Curated OER
100 Famous Quotes
Students explore famous quotes from throughout history. In this multicultural literacy instructional activity, students work as a team to read and memorize a list of 100 quotes. Students participate in a game in which the first half of a...
Curated OER
Arkansas Wordsearch
In this Arkansas activity, 5th graders explore the state of Arkansas. Students complete a word search where they find ten words relating to Arkansas.
Curated OER
Fill in - Twinkies
After hearing or reading a New York Times article on Twinkies, kids attempt to fill in the blanks by memory alone. They re-read the article, only this time words are missing, it's up to them to fill in each blank with a word from the...
Smarter Balanced
Monuments (and Landmarks)
Distinguishing between and understanding the purpose of landmarks and monuments is the focus a short activity designed to provide all learners with the context of a performance task. Images of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the...
Curated OER
Georgey Giraffe's Giant Respect
Students are introduced to the concept of respect. As a class, they read the book together, identify the important facts and predict what might happen next. They complete a worksheet and a test to test their knowledge of the word respect...
Smarter Balanced
Aztec Empire
To set the stage for a study of the Aztec Empire, groups use the provided definition of civilization and generate a list of elements that make up our modern day civilization. The whole class then examines an image of an Aztec city and...
Curated OER
Grand Canyon Suite
Take a trip to the Grand Canyon! Lesson one explores how Ferde Grofe painted a musical landscape of America when he wrote the Grand Canyon Suite. Learners then examine art that shows the Grand Canyon in lesson two. Finally, lesson three...
Smarter Balanced
American West in the 1800s
To establish a context for an assessment or a study of pioneers and the American frontier in the 1800s, groups examine photos and record observations about clothing, housing, and travel.
Curated OER
Games for Culminating Activity
Young scholars need to be creative in developing an activity that will help other students review the information studied in the past four weeks. They will work effectively in groups to develop a culminating activity and to play other...
Smarter Balanced
Archaeological Discoveries
Artifacts, inscriptions, and monuments. Here's an activity designed to ensure that all learners are familiar with the key terms and concepts they will need to begin a study of archaeological discoveries.
Curated OER
Arkansas Draw and Write
In this Arkansas activity, students explore the state of Arkansas. Students draw a picture of something that has to do with Arkansas and write about their picture.
Curated OER
Pandora Puppy's Caring Circle
Students are introduced to the concept of compassion. As a class, they read a story together about Pandora Puppy's caring circles and identify the main points. They complete a worksheet and take a test to review how compassion is...
Curated OER
Pansy Pig's Patience Pit
Students are introduced to the concepts of patience and anger. As a class, they are read a story about a patience pit and discover how anger can be controlled. They complete a worksheet and take a test to review how to control their...
Curated OER
Little Zoh's Submissive Trunk
Students listen to and discuss story, Little Zoh's Submissive Trunk, define submissiveness and explore how it could be applied to daily life, and complete comprehension worksheet.
Curated OER
Cubby Bear's Big Responsibility
Pupils continue their examination of character by being introduced to the concept of responsibility. As a class, they are read a story and identify when the main character was being responsible. They share wha they are responsible for...
Curated OER
Katie Kangaroo's Leap of Courage
Students are introduced to the concept of courage. As a class, they read a book about Katie Kangaroo and her leap of courage and discuss how they can be couragous in their own life. They complete a worksheet and share their responses...
Curated OER
Date with Responsibility
Students discuss what it means to be responsible. As a class, they brainstorm a list of how they are responsible in their daily lives. In groups, they read the story of Liliuokalani and locate Hawai'i on a map. They discuss the...
Curated OER
Passport to Courage
Students discuss the character trait of "courage of convictions" and apply this to their daily life. Using the internet, they research the life and work of Thomas McKean and discuss the courage needed to sign the Declaration of...
Curated OER
Gaining Familiarity With Haitian Creole
Students investigate the concept of Haitian Creole. They first fill out a worksheet asking for prior knowledge. Then students compare and contrast the languages of English, French, and Haitian Creole. They define Creole and discuss its...