Curated OER
A Tall Ship and a Star to Steer Her By
Students create a water transportation device powered by wind. In this wind power instructional activity, students research transportation concepts after reading the poem "Sea Fever" by John Masefield. Students design the fastest...
Curated OER
Bearly Any Ice
Students participate in a prey-predator game. After reading background information, they discover the impact from the changes global warming presents to the polar bears and ringed seals. They role play the role of either the seal or...
Curated OER
Folktales
Fourth graders read a Haitian folktale. They study main characters in Haitian folktales and explore multicultural information about Haiti. They clarify understanding by retelling a sentence (paraphrasing) and a passage in their own...
Curated OER
An All American Success Story
Students read the All American Success Story and answer comprehension questions. They write an essay about a person they consider to be a successful person.
Curated OER
Weather Forecasting Basics
Eighth graders analyze weather diagrams and weather maps. In this earth science lesson, 8th graders explain why it is important to know the weather. They complete a handout at the end of the lesson.
Curated OER
Living Longer
Students practice strategies that can be applied to current and future reading materials. Using a matrix, students monitor which strategies they have mastered and which strategy needs more practice. Students read health related materials.
Curated OER
"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi"
Young scholars explore nature by reading stories in class. For this animal characteristics lesson, students read the story "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," by Rudyard Kipling and identify the different animals mentioned in the book. Young scholars...
Curated OER
Stratigraphy -- Layers of Time in the Earth
Students are introduced to the process of stratification. Using the internet, they read about the Richard Beene archeological site near San Antonio. Using a map, they color code the different layers present at this site and answer...
Curated OER
Ornithology and Real World Science
Double click that mouse because you just found an amazing instructional activity! This cross-curricular Ornithology instructional activity incorporates literature, writing, reading informational text, data collection, scientific inquiry,...
IPDAE
Themes in Short Stories
"What is the theme of this story?" The very question can spark fear in the minds of readers and incinerate confidence. Here you will discover an exercise that shows how writers use the tools of setting, plot, conflict, and...
Star Wars in the Classroom
"Shakespeare and Star Wars": Lesson Plan Days 13 and 14
How important are sound effects in films? In stage plays? In radio programs? To gain an understanding of the impact of these special effects, class members watch a short video spoof of the sound in a scene from Star...
Curated OER
The Importance of Site Maps in Archaeology
Students consider the importance of site maps in archeology. They interpret site maps, draw site maps of their classroom and home and then participate in simulated Paleolithic archeological camp activity.
Curated OER
Digging Deeper: Mission San Saba
Seventh graders review their prior knowledge on the Spanish mission system in Texas. Using the internet, they examine the motives of the Spanish to establish missions in Texas, specifically the Mission San Saba. They research the reasons...
Curated OER
Polar Bears and Ice
Students explore the Arctic food chain. They examine the needs of the polar bear and the threat that global warming poses to them. Students write a letter to a local political representative explaining what they have studied and...
Curated OER
(Texas) Capitol Visitors Center, Post-Visit Lesson Plan, Grades 7 and 8
Students discuss the importance of commemorative monuments. They review Texas monuments and identify the reasons a monument dedicated to certain events or individuals. They design another Texas monument and explain why they...
Curated OER
Come On, You Can Trust Me
Fourth graders see how to define and then recognize a variety of propaganda techniques at work in their everyday world. Choosing one technique, they creatively demonstrate a thorough understanding from real world experiences. A very rich...
Curated OER
The Study of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas: Understanding Photo Essays
Students analyze a photo essay of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas by the photojournalist Russell Lee. They identify the goals of the photo essay, explore a website, and complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
Reflecting on Reflectivity
Students plan and construct a "mini-lab" to measure the reflectivity of different earth surfaces. They measure reflectivity of materials, including ice, soil, rocks, etc., and then extrapolate from what they have learned to consider the...
Curated OER
Newton’s Laws of Motion
Eighth graders explore the three laws of motion. In this physics lesson, 8th graders observe teacher demonstration and explain what happened in terms of Newton's Laws. They complete worksheet at the end of the lesson.
Curated OER
A Treasure at our Doorstep
Learners write a descriptive essay about a historical landmark in their area, such as the Curtis Center in Philadelphia, PA. In this historical landmarks lesson, students use their senses to detail information about the chosen landmark,...
Curated OER
Making a Treasure Your Own: Lesson Two
Students write an essay describing the Curtis Center and what they learned there. In this descriptive writing essay, students discuss the five paragraph essay and review sensory discoveries from their trip. Students draft an outline and...
Curated OER
The Right to Vote
Students discover voting barriers. In this government lesson plan, students explore the history of voting. Students work in small groups to analyze and debate if certain groups of people should have the ability to vote or not.
Curated OER
Who Is That Ghostly Character?
Eighth graders listen to a taped version of the radio play, "The Hitchhiker". They write a conclusion to the play and work with a partner to evaluate it before a final revision.
Curated OER
So You Want to Drive an Automobile?
Students research types of auto insurance that are required in the state of Florida. They choose an automobile and find the cost of insurance to legally drive it.