Curated OER
Thoughts to the President
Students write a persuassive paragraph to the President stating their opinion on a topic. To do this, they start the message with a topic sentence such as "War is _____." The blank should contain a word or phrase expressing the student's...
Curated OER
Doodle All the Day
Students explore the creative potential in everyday objects. Through doodling, collecting found art, and creating drawings and paintings inspired by the world around them, students research their own creative process.
Curated OER
Let's Be Honest!
Students investigate the concepts of honesty and take a survey about honesty. They use the New York Times to conduct research to identify the characteristics commonly found in stories about cheating. Students write reflective papers...
Curated OER
Signs of Withdrawal?
Learners research Lebanon's recent history, from the 1975 civil war to the protest of occupying Syrian troops in 2005, and create a visual timeline for classroom display.
Curated OER
Every Picture Tells a Story
Young scholars consider controversial photos of Elian Gonzalez and decide how they, as editors of the Times, might have displayed them. They choose, discuss, and write about other famous images from photojournalism to decide what makes the
Curated OER
Speak Out!
Young scholars consider their opinions on various topics and issues related to the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Then, focusing on one specific topic, each student supports his or her opinions in a...
Curated OER
HOW DOES IT FEEL?
Students explore how it feels to be discriminated against and explain the concepts of it.
Curated OER
Dell House Dig
Pupils experience an archaeological dig exploring off the shore of Black Hawk Island and Wisconsin River. They study in the same place where the infamous Dell House once stood. Dell House and its historical significance is reviewed...
Curated OER
How To Write Good Letter to the Editor
Students discover how to write a letter to the editor that would be good enough to be considered for publication. They include her or his opinion about the story, share a story of a similar experience to the author's or offer advice to...
Curated OER
Watching the Clock: An activity to build media-savvy students
Learners analyze time constraints on broadcast news. They apply data collecting and data display skills. They identify the difference between news progams and the evening news.
Curated OER
Blood Vessels & Circulation
Students participate in a layered curriculum designed lesson in order to study the cardiovascular system of the human body. The assessments and activities are student centered.
Curated OER
Fly, Fly Away
High schoolers use materials from their own environment to design a kite. In this kite design lesson, students research the history of kites and obtain a formal mathematical definition of a kite. High schoolers sketch kite designs after...
Curated OER
Looking Back, Up and Ahead
Students explore how scientists have forecasted the 2002 Leonid meteor shower. They pose their own predictions for peak meteor rates per hour during the 2002 shower and compare their results with actual observed rates.
Curated OER
From Printed Page to Home Page
Students compare on-line newspapers to their print counterparts
Curated OER
Let the Games Begin
Pupils analyze how the New York Times uses small feature stories to cover aspects of a major international event, such as the Olympics, before it actually occurs. They brainstorm their own ideas for short feature stories on the Olympics
Curated OER
Trade Wars: the Candidates Take a Stand
Students research topics related to trade, and develop a graphic organizer. They debate and discuss topics related to trade.
Curated OER
Foundations of American Government
Fourth graders explore the origins of American government.
Curated OER
Lesson 28: Introduction to Illinois Government
Fourth graders research and compare the United States and Illinois Governments. They play the game Who Wans To Be A Millionaire.
Curated OER
The Diary of Anne Frank
Eighth graders apply knowledge of the Holocaust in general and The Diary of Anne Frank in particular to their writing. Acting the play out in class provides them an almost firsthand knowledge of Anne and the other characters.
Curated OER
It is Our Right-Don't Waste It!
Students explore the basic rights granted to all American citizens by the U.S. Constitution in the light of women's issues. The women's suffrage movement, the role of Susan B. Anthony, and the timeline of events on voting rights are...
Curated OER
Pictographic Poetry of Current Events
Students discuss recent currents events as a class. Using one of the events, they write a poem about how they feel about the event in question. They choose specific symbols that relate to event and write a poem about it as well. They...
Curated OER
Intergenerational Friendships
Students complete a variety of activities dealing with the book "Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge" by Mem Fox. They take a field trip to a senior citizen's home and conduct an interview, and complete journal entries having to do with...
Curated OER
Something Special
Students identify their personal skills and strengths and learn to use the attributes in their own experiences. In this personal attributes lesson, students write down a skill or strength they are proud of. Students then toss their...
Curated OER
Developing Kids with Character Through Service Learning
Students discover service learning and how it can help them build character. In this community activity, students brainstorm ways they can assist their classmates with problems, and write about it in their journal. Students...