Curated OER
Bias and Crime in Media
Critical thinking and social justice are central themes for this resource on bias and crime in media. The class views and discusses an incisive PSA that highlights assumptions based on race. Small groups read newspaper opinion pieces...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom:
Editorial cartoonists can make a big impact: this political cartoon analysis handout displays 2 cartoons by 2011 Pulitzer-award-winning cartoonist Mike Keefe. Background information gives learners context on the award, and 3 talking...
Speak Truth to Power
Dalai Lama: Free Expression and Religion
How is religious freedom connected to the conflict between China and Tibet? After reading an online passage of background information, your learners will divide into groups and both read and view an interview with the Dalai Lama. They...
Curated OER
Simulation: Norse Scratchings
Learners discover the meaning of a Norse runic message as they study a Vikings unit. In this Norse alphabet lesson plan, students decode a runic message as a part of a study about Vikings. Learners earn the letters to decode the message...
Curated OER
What's a Kid to Do?
Students participate in an environmental action letter-writing campaign. They conduct Internet research on the Global Response website, discuss various successful Global Response campaigns, select a campaign they are interested in, and...
Tech Coach Corner
Narrative Writing
A comprehensive presentation on narrative writing, this should be shown to a class before the writing process begins. There are not activities listed, so pupils can take notes on the elements of narrative writing and figurative language....
Scholastic
Descriptive Writing Fortunes
What does your fortune say? Engage class members in writing complete sentences by first handing out fortune cookies and reading the messages. Pupils will practice writing complete sentences by composing fortunes to put in die cut fortune...
Council for Economic Education
Did You Get the Message?
Students investigate how advertising gets the buyer's attention and how it influences buying decisions. They then create a print ad for "Burp Cola" and for one of their favorite books.
Curated OER
Ways Twitter Makes You a Better Writer
Practice being concise. Exercise your vocabulary. Improve your editing skills. The contention in this instructional activity is that by imposing a 140 character limit, the Twitter format actually helps improve writing skills. And of...
Curated OER
Woodblock Printing: Early Printing Traditions in China
Pupils examine important role of woodblock printing in Chinese history, identify message important to them, and create woodblock prints to gain first-hand understanding of how it was used as tool for communication.
Curated OER
Message in a Bottle
Sixth graders write a short story about being stranded on a deserted island. After a brief geography review of locations at various latitudes and longitudes, 6th graders draft their story about being stranded. They use sensory and...
Curated OER
Voices from the Holocaust: A Message of Hope
Students develop a sense of historical empathy as they discuss The Holocaust and roll play activities designed to highlight prejudice in today's society. In this Holocaust history and The Diary of Anne Frank lesson, students...
Curated OER
Historical Fiction: Persuasive Presentation
Fifth graders read a book addressing a specific historical time period that was chosen by their working group. They complete journal entries as they read the book. They create a group PowerPoint explaining the personal point of view and...
Curated OER
Political Cartoons: Symbols of Fear
Students brainstorm a list of reasons for fear, hate, and mistrust. They assess political cartoons for symbols, messages, and points of view. After researching cartoons, they choose one that best depicts fear or hatred and write...
Curated OER
Civil War Telecollaborative Newspaper
Fifth graders analyze the different points of view in the Civil War. They role-play a Southern citizen, write and publish a newspaper article, e-mail a partner, and create a class newspaper with articles, editorials, ads, and political...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Defining Economics Visually
In this current events learning exercise, students analyze a political cartoon about the economic concept of debt and equity and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Drawing on a Familiar Icon
In this current events learning exercise, students analyze political cartoons about the feature American icons. Students respond to 4 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Ben Franklin's Cartoon Contribution
In this historical events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon by Ben Franklin. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Loaded with Symbols
For this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the Christian Right support of President Bush and respond to 4 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Saying it Without Words
For this current events worksheet, learners analyze a political cartoon that requires them to consider the power of symbols in cartoons and respond to 4 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Taking Swipes at the Auto Industry
In this current events learning exercise, students analyze a political cartoon about the auto industry and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: An Educated Electorate Takes its Mid-Term
In this current events learning exercise, students analyze a political cartoon about mid-term elections in the United States and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Tooning into the Cosmos
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons that feature space science. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Musical Cares
Students explore ways in which music can relay messages of peace and how popular songs can be interpreted as commentary on current issues and themes.