Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

A Crippling Cough: Tuberculosis on a Rampage

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use problem solving skills to examine symptoms, causes, and treatment of tuberculosis in modern times and in early 1900s. Students read patient case, work in teams to diagnose illness, and conduct Internet research to confirm...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

The Many Voices of Literature

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discover the wealth of literature written by individuals not born in the United States. They discover the literature of individuals of multiple ethnicities born in the United States. Students compile a list of books they would...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Technologies of the Civil War

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discover new and interesting technologies of the Civil War. In this Civil War portfolio of lessons, 5th graders analyze primary resources, develop new vocabulary, investigate websites, and create a time line of new...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tales From Around the World

For Teachers K - 4th
Students read stories. In this culture lesson, students read stories from different regions around the world. Students look for each region on the map and listen for interesting cultural details in the story. Students then discuss the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Planet Mars

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders gain knowledge about Mars and Earth. In this compare and contrast lesson, 5th graders use visual representations of the solar system to observe the characteristics of the planets. Students read fiction and nonfiction...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington's Revolutionary Journeys

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers take a closer look at historical maps. In this American Revolution lesson, students examine the provided historical maps and documents to determine the assignments that George Washington assigned to subordinates during...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Text Features

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders read a nonfiction story that is presented to them with graphic features, and presented to them with only the text.  In this text features lesson, 4th graders decide what the benefits of text organizers are and create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freedom and You

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research the American Revolution. In this Revolutionary War lesson, students research facts about the American Revolution, write an expository essay, and peer edit for good content. The paper is suggested to be written after...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We Like to Imagine - Animals

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students describe a pretend animal. They read "The After School Monster." Students read other books and discuss whether or not the characters are real. Students make a drawing of a pretend animal and of a real animal. They make up a...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Finding Treasure Island; An Exciting Escape

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students read Treasure Island. They have a choice of a number of activities associated with the novel, including writing a review of the book. Students also participate in a National Geographic High Seas Adventure, going on an Internet...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

European Exploration, Trade and Colonization

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students complete many activities including mapping, reading books, and Internet research to learn about European exploration. In this European lesson plan, students study geographical mapping, trade, and colonization.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I love penguins!

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students listen to stories and view video about penguins. In this penguins lesson, students research penguins in groups and present a report using their choice of technology or artwork presentation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Washington in Song

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students establish similarities to George Washington's time in office with the song "Yankee Doodle."  In this U.S. History activity, students learn the song "Yankee Doodle" then create a timeline of the song and a timeline of George...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Disasters: An Adventure in Non-Fiction

For Teachers 1st - 4th
Students study different natural disasters.  In this natural disaster lesson students read a nonfiction book followed by a discussion, an experiment,  then collect illustrations from their experience. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Health Education: Stress

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders tackle stress. In this personal health lesson plan, 4th graders predict physical and emotional reactions to stressful situations.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poetry and Our National Anthem

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers express the meaning of the Star-Spangled Banner. In this American history lesson, students read through the national anthem and complete an activities from a list of choices. Some choices include: writing the anthem in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chinese Minority Cultures

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders identify the elements that characterize culture in literature. Students analyze the representation of Chinese minority peoples through textbooks. Students identify and interpret the differences among the people of China.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Eye on Science

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Learners investigate the human eye and its parts. They read and discuss various books about eyes and sight, draw a rough draft of an eye diagram, and create a final draft of their eye diagram including labeled parts using Kid Pix...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fitting Trash into Yesterday: A Fifth Grade Activity

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the concept of waste management. In this recycling activity, 5th graders discover the history of waste management and discuss how the U.S. should respond to the issue of ever-increasing waste.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Roots of Ahimsa

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students investigate the philosophy of nonviolence. In this Ghandi lesson, students discover that Gandhi inspired many civil rights leaders with the idea of ahimsa. Students complete venn diagrams, create timelines, and discuss...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reviewing Features of Fiction Books

For Teachers Pre-K - K
Young scholars identify the features of fiction books. In this genre study lesson, students are introduced to the book Armadillo Rodeo and identify the cover, title, author, illustrator and title page. Young scholars discuss how the book...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aesop's Fables (Grade 3)

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders develop a presentation based on Aesop's Fables. In this Aesop Fables and presentation instructional activity, 3rd graders examine the characteristics of fables and how to interpret them. They choose one of Aesop's Fables to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Change of a River

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore changes in the Missouri River. For this Missouri River lesson, students discover that changes in the atmosphere cause changes in the river. Students search the Internet for information about the Missouri River and its...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Health Education: Germs

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders take part in a germ simulation activity. In this personal health lesson plan, 4th graders summarize methods for preventing the spread of germs that cause communicable diseases.