Curated OER
Thanksgiving At Plymouth
First graders engage in a holiday celebration of Thanksgiving. They read a play "Thanksgiving At Plymouth" to give the lesson context. The teacher could incorporate costumes and props for a holiday production. After the play they can...
Curated OER
Awesome Animals
Sixth graders write descriptive narratives about animals. In this descriptive writing lesson, the teacher models how to write a paragraph with interesting sensory words and exciting verbs. Students choose a picture of an animal they want...
National First Ladies' Library
One Small Step
Students explore the steps taken to fulfill President Kennedy's promise to land a man on the moon.They examine the costs and difficulties of fulfilling that promise and the historical events that motivated the nation to do so.
Curated OER
Identifying and Dispelling Stereotypes
Students address stereotypes. In this cultural diversity lesson, students define stereotypes, share examples of prejudice, research current event issues in given nations, and create posters that feature unbiased news stories.
Curated OER
Where in the World is Mr. Fultz?
Students use maps and other geographic resources to learn about their world while problem solving. They read clues each day and use classroom resources to narrow down where the prize is located.
Curated OER
How to Deal With Class Size Increases
While class size increases make it more challenging for teachers to meet students' needs, there are ways to make things a little easier.
Curated OER
Jason and the Golden Fleece
Students read and analyze the classic Greek tale of "Jason and the Golden Fleece." They compare/contrast the story with modern works of literature and films, answer discussion questions, and retell the story in a modern-day setting.
Curated OER
Picture Perfect Pyramid
Students investigate the concept of the food pyramid. The lesson includes background information for the teacher to lecture students about the food pyramid. They construct a model of the pyramid using cereal boxes. The projects could...
Curated OER
Toco Toucan - Oil Pastels
Students create a picture of a toucan from the continent of South America using a pencil, marker, and oil pastels. Students identify the continent of South America and discuss the Toco Toucan. They follow teacher directions to create...
Curated OER
Once Upon A Bear
Students study different types of bears, their characteristics, and habitats. They discuss what they know and what they want to learn before visiting a website to look at images and information about bears. They listen to teacher read...
Curated OER
Our World With MapsQ
Students examine and compare different types of maps. In this map skill lesson, students look at neighborhood and national maps on the overhead projector while making comparisons of the symbols and locations. They use a T-chart to record...
Curated OER
Date with Destiny
Students examine the outcome of the war in Iraq. In this Iraq history lesson, students discuss the effects of the war and the regime of Hussein. Students write and design textbook pages that feature the contemporary history of the...
Curated OER
The Preterite vs. the Imperfect
Students write their own original studenT story in the past in Spanish using the imperfect and the preterite after watching the teacher present the provided Power Point presentation on the differences in the uses of the two.
Curated OER
Aboriginal Quilting Activity
Students explore Aboriginal culture by participating in an art activity. For this First Nation history lesson, students utilize the Internet to research images and designs from Native American culture. Students create images on quilting...
Curated OER
If At First You don't Succeed Try, Try Core Knowledge!
Students relate phrases and sayings to their life experiences. In this phrases and sayings lesson, students participate in activities and listen to stories to understand the meanings of each saying. One day is devoted to each saying.
Curated OER
What Makes a Home "Energy Efficient"?
Students research and report the costs and benefits of making their own homes more energy efficient. In this energy conservation lesson, students explore energy efficient technologies and design over several days. They complete a home...
Curated OER
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Lesson: Immigration
Many of your class members will have heard of Executive Order 9066 and the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Some may even recognize the terms “Issei” and “Nisei,” but few will have heard of Enemy Alien Hearing Boards, of the...
Curated OER
Super Citizens
Third graders read City Green and discuss how citizens work together. In this citizenship instructional activity students, group citizens by community, state or nation. Students list ways to be good citizens in each group. Students...
Curated OER
BASE-ic Space Travel
In this 3-day place-value lesson, upper-elementary kids investigate the base 5 and base 2 systems as an introduction to exponents and powers. They create a pocket chart to help ground their understanding of bases, exponents, and powers,...
Curated OER
Language Arts Exploration
While an interesting lesson plan idea involving the exploration of a story about an Asian American boy named Imduk, a teacher would need to have assess to the Scott Foresman reading program to make this work. If not, a teacher could use...
Curated OER
The Cherokee Removal
Eleventh graders examine the issue of Cherokee removal from the perspectives of Andrew Jackson, members of Congress, and members of the Cherokee nation. They adopt the perspectives and engage in debate over the issue of Cherokee removal.
Curated OER
Haiku - Poetry of the Samurai Warrior
Students research the Samurai and their Haiku Writings. Students use internet research to gather information about the ancient Japanese Samurai. The students then create individual Haiku writings, and a cultural day is designated when...
Curated OER
The Prospect of Democracy in Iran
Students investigate the Iranian presidential election of 2009. For this world affairs lesson, students explore the evidence of democratic values in Iran and consider how the public demonstrations following the elections were received by...
Curated OER
Pop Rocket - Trash to Treasure
First off, Newton's laws of motion aren't often taught at 2nd grade, so this instructional activity may be more appropriate for upper elementary learners. It begins with a discussion and demonstration of the laws of motion, and then has...