Dream of a Nation
Solution Debate
Class members choose a current social, political, environmental, or economic problem presented in Tyson Miller's Dream of a Nation: Inspiring Ideas for a Better America, research this problem and a variety of suggested solutions, before...
Dream of a Nation
Congressional Debate
Should junk food be banned in schools? Should the US open its borders to all immigrants? Should the US impose term limits for the House of Representatives and for the Senate? Using Tyson Miller's Dream of a Nation: Inspiring Ideas...
Curated OER
Respect: Looks Like, Sounds Like, Feels Like
Sixth graders participate in a question and answer discussion on respect and then complete the "Planning to Use Respect" activity sheet. They describe the senses of a stuffed animal to their peers and assess how respect looks, sounds and...
Curated OER
Interactivate: Introduction to Functions
This interactive website provides a variety of lesson plans according to which standards you are applying and which textbook you use. Introduce functions to your class by having them construct single operation machines and create...
Channel Islands Film
Island Cattle Ranching
Is cattle ranching on Santa Rosa island viable or non-viable? Rather than focusing on the issues of the transition of Santa Rosa island from a privately owned island cattle ranch to a national park, class members are asked to consider if...
Curated OER
Forming Open-Ended Questions
Help readers learn to create their own open-ended questions for any text you are working with. Using Bloom's Taxonomy, learners begin on the lower levels and work their way up to form questions that focus on synthesis instead of simple...
Curated OER
Looking for Heroes
Students explain the importance of the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery Voting Rights March and the long term impact in the US of non violent civic participation.
Curated OER
Power, Persuasion & Propaganda: Exploring Multiple Motives
Students recognize different motives even in non-commercial media. They analyze the role of media in a democratic society and wrestle with ethical issues concerning media and the public good. They create a media message with one or more...
Curated OER
Leadership: Communicating With Your Peers
Students explore communication by using non-verbal cues. In this body language lesson, students utilize blindfolds to communicate with classmates through words only, then use only physical actions to communicate and compare the two....
Curated OER
Different Genres In Literature
Third graders view different genres of literature and identify which genre is being presented to them. In this genres lesson plan, 3rd graders choose from fiction, non fiction, and a poem.
Curated OER
Lesson One: Characterizing Philanthropic People
Familiarize your class with philanthropy and involve individuals in philanthropic activities. First, determine the traits of philanthropic people. Class members attach sticky notes with character traits written on them to each side of at...
Curated OER
Identifying Differences Between Fiction and Nonfiction Books
Students explore the differences between fiction and non-fiction book. In this genre study lesson, students read examples of fiction and non-fiction and identify the characteristics of each genre. Students list the characteristics on a...
Curated OER
Hip Hop and Political Activism
Young scholars identify and employ non violent methods/tactics to bring about social change as exemplified in hip hop culture. They examine hip hop as a form of political activism.
Curated OER
The Staffing Exercise: A Lesson Cluster for Civics
Young scholars discuss gender bias and non-traditional career areas as they relate to governmental appointed positions. The participate in a simulation in which they apply for and decide who would get traditionally male positions in the...
Curated OER
The Wonderful Pigs of Jillian Jiggs
First graders compare fictional and real pigs. In this pig comparison lesson plan, 1st graders read a fiction text then a non-fiction text on pigs. Students complete a K-W-L chart  and fill out a Venn Diagram. 
Curated OER
The Great Koala Rescue
Third graders examine an animal rescue that occurred in Australia by reading an article from National Geographic Kids Online.  Individuals practice their non-fiction reading skills and are introduced to new terms as they investigate the...
Curated OER
Pointed Comments
Fifth graders analyze pieces of writing to identify the author's purpose of writing. In this writing lesson, 5th graders consider a variety of pieces of writing such as, poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fiction. Each student completes an...
Curated OER
What Does a Philanthropic Organization Do?
Young scholars explore the work of a local nonprofit organization and define "nonprofit" and "profit" organizations. They identify examples of three local philanthropic organizations and work together to draw conclusions about a...
Curated OER
Christmas Trolls Lesson Plan
Young scholars love the illustrations in Jan Brett books and the story in the border of each page.  In this Christmas Trolls lesson plan, students read a variety of texts, both print and non-print sources, to help give them a better...
Curated OER
Using A Dictionary
Students explore English by completing a word definitions worksheet. In this dictionary instructional activity, students practice locating a list of vocabulary terms in a "Dictionary Race." Students complete a worksheet based upon word...
Curated OER
Parts of a Book
Second graders learn to identify the parts of a book. In this book parts lesson, 2nd graders learn the names of book parts by participating in a teacher led lesson in which they look at transparencies. They complete a worksheet in which...
Curated OER
Glory Field Author Brochure
Middle schoolers create brochures about Glory Field author Walter Dean Myers using internet research and Appleworks, or a similar software program. Emphasis is placed on finding non-copyrighted material.
Curated OER
Quit Smoking-Together We Can Do It!
Learners explore how tobacco threatens the health of smokers and non-smokers. They research smoking and second hand smoke using the Internet. Students create a Quit Smoking brochure. They present a computer slide show to describe how...
Shmoop
ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.11-12.9
Guided by close-reading questions, groups examine the similarities and differences between the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. In addition, they look at how the principles are presented in these two foundational US...