Curated OER
Making Models of the Solar System
Students make several models of the solar system to learn the positions of the planets in the solar system as well as relative distances and sizes. Creation of these models will help them identify the planets by size, shape, color,...
Curated OER
Pocket Full of Posies: Ceramics
After studying the plant or flower life cycle, have the class create a basket of flowers out of clay. They hone their ceramics skills while they push, pull, then paint clay to look like flowers they've seen in nature. There are several...
Curated OER
Birth of Islands
Students conduct research in groups to build real or imaginary islands, accurately presenting its location on earth, its features, climactic conditions, how plant and animal life reached the island, and what life is found there. They...
National Literacy Trust
Mark The Bard!
Commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death with a packet of cross-curricular literacy lessons and activities centered around two of the Bard's most popular plays, Macbeth and The Tempest. Class members look for evidence of...
Curated OER
Animal Diversity
Students explore biology by completing science worksheets in class. In this animal anatomy lesson, students read the book The Adventures of Marco and Polo and identify the animals mentioned in it. Students examine a real life animal and...
Concordia University Chicago
Paris Street; Rainy Day by Gustave Caillebotte
Discuss the balance, color, emotion, and context of the painting Paris Street; Rainy Day by Caillebotte. After a deep discussion, let creativity run free in your class as learners create a dimensional piece that reflects a life change...
Curated OER
When the Wind Blows Lesson Plan
Learners read a book and observe the wind and how it affects the environment. They explore what wind does by looking at pictures, reading a book, and by completing an experiment. They will use their own knowledge of the wind and compare...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan for The Little Red Hen
Cultivate young performers while teaching them about helping one another with this interactive storytelling lesson. Elementary schoolers read or listen to the story The Little Red Hen by Mike Lockett and then act out the story while...
Curated OER
Earthquake Machine
Young scholars explore plate tectonics by conducting a class experiment. In this earthquake lesson, students utilize scrap wood, sandpaper, rubber bands and a sanding belt to create a model earthquake experiment which shakes a nearby...
Curated OER
Finance and Responsible Lending
Young scholars learn the characteristics of economic systems through problem solving, communication and representation. In this financial lending lesson, students use math to solve problems dealing with the economy today, to work with...
Curated OER
In the Desert
Students explore earth science by completing several environment activities. In this desert lesson, students identify where the U.S. deserts are and what types of wild life inhabit them. Students utilize arts and crafts to create a...
Curated OER
On the Surface Of Things
The purpose of this unit is for students to engage in thinking about the links between science and art. We want to provide students with the opportunity to see original artifacts related to natural occurances.
Curated OER
Patty's Pumpkin Patch
Learners explore Halloween by examining pumpkins in class. In this pumpkin observation lesson, learners discuss the method in which pumpkins are grown and the time line it takes a pumpkin to grow from a seed. Learners read a pumpkin poem...
Curated OER
Heaven or Ground Hog Day?
Learners discover the ideas of enlightenment by reading historical poetry. In this philosophical lesson plan, students read poems by Sir Walter Scott and Sergeant Joyce Kilmer while discussing the themes of the writing with classmates....
Curated OER
The Seasons of the Year Expressed in Art
Students explore a variety of works of art to discover the relationships and common themes that connect math, science, and technology. Several pieces of the work of Thomas Cole are examined and linked to the four seasons.
Curated OER
Paper Plate Sunflowers
A great way to recall the parts of a flower is to make one. Little learners create sunflowers out of paint and paper plates. They also discuss and label the various parts of their flowers.
Curated OER
The Big Circle
Students explore geography by participating in a mapping activity. In this concentric ring lesson, students utilize a poster board, string and markers to identify their current location within the entire world. Students write about their...
Curated OER
The Man Who Saw the Future: Arthur C. Clarke
Students are introduced to science fiction as an adjunct to learning about science. They tape into their creativity by combining science with aspects of the arts. They research real time data available on the Web about space, and Mars in...
Curated OER
On the Surface of Things
Students create a Claris slide shows from pictures they have taken of items close-up in nature after studying the works of M.C. Escher and Georgia O'Keefe. Slide shows includes captions for clues to the identity of their nature picture.
Curated OER
What's in a Tree?
Students discuss the types of items they might find in a tree, such as birds, fruit, or seeds. They draw trees on poster boards and then add details by cutting them out and gluing them to their trees.
Curated OER
Where Do Things Come From?
Second graders examine the recycling process. In this recycling lesson, 2nd graders discuss the reasons for recycling and create storyboards to show where a specific material comes from. Students complete a worksheet as a follow-up...
Curated OER
Sense of Place: No River Too Wide-Bridges
Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River. In this U.S. Geography instructional activity students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River. Students...
Curated OER
The Desert Alphabet Book
Students explore world geography by researching a science book with their classmates. In this desert identification lesson, students utilize a U.S. map to locate the geographical locations of deserts. Students create an oral report based...
Curated OER
I Think I Forgot Something!
Students examine human health by reading a children's book in class. In this breakfast lesson, students identify the importance of starting the day with a good, nutritious meal. Students read the book I Think I Forgot Something and...