Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Arthur's New Puppy (Brown)
Learn new words as you read Marc Brown's story, Arthur's New Puppy. This is focused as a vocabulary-in-context activity (though this strategy could be used with any book and set of words). Introduce the new words you will focus on:...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Franklin's New Friend (Bourgeois)
Franklin the turtle makes a new friend as youngsters learn vocabulary in context using Paulette Bourgeois' story (tip: this strategy can be applied to any book). Brief kids on the new words so they can raise their hands when they...
Curated OER
Introduce Vocabulary: Happy Birthday, Moon (Asch)
Can you wish the moon a happy birthday? Beginning readers contemplate this as they listen to Frank Asch's book Happy Birthday, Moon, the context for a vocabulary study. There are three words outlined here: chat,...
Curated OER
Gargoyles: Ceramics
Study the symbolism and significance of Gargoyles throughout the Gothic era, and then make one. Kids visit three different websites to learn about these goolish protectors, then hone their sculpting skills while making one. They make...
New York State Education Department
TASC Transition Curriculum: Workshop 1
Work out your core, Common Core State Standards, through the first workshop in a series of 15 designed for educators. Inquiry-based activities designed for all content areas and grade levels explore the shifts to new standards,...
California Academy of Science
Nuclear Energy: What's Your Reaction?
OSHA confirms that rules governing worker safety at nuclear power plants ranks higher than worker safety in offices. Scholars must consider safety, cost, alternatives, and other factors before recommending whether a town should build a...
Teaching Tolerance
Collage of Concerns
A picture can speak louder than words. An interesting lesson introduces the themes of social justice and diversity to young learners by having them create artwork. Scholars create collages from a variety of sources to showcase what...
Curated OER
The Constitution: Drafting a More Perfect Union
Young scholars analyze the U.S. Constitution. For this U.S. History lesson, students explore the purpose of the Constitution, as well as who was involved in its creation.
Curated OER
Problem-Based Research Lesson: Wal-Mart Debate
To prepare for class, learners will read several articles (links included). Students discuss the articles, and ways to deal with the proliferation of big-box stores in rural areas. The class takes two minutes to generate a research...
Curated OER
Inventions Multimedia Time Line
Eighth graders research the impact of particular inventions on various times throughout history. They compile information from the Internet and a database to create a multimedia timeline of important inventions. The program Timeliner is...
Curated OER
School Museum
Fourth graders research individuals who contributed to the history of Illinois, and what school was like at that time. They compare schools of various times.
Curated OER
Magnetism: Magnet, Magnet, Where are you?
Learners study the characteristics of magnets including polarity, and the concepts of attraction and repulsion. They examine how magnets are used industry.
Curated OER
Characteristics of Living Things: What Makes Them Tick
Students list the characteristics of living things and give specific examples of living things exhibiting these characteristics. They bring in examples of living things.
Curated OER
Our Earth: Storehouse of Natural Resources
Students listen to an explanation of the science of the mining industry and create a geological map of Africa. They discuss the uses of minerals and resources and research a natural mineral resource in their part of the world.
Curated OER
Air in the Home: Free for All
Learners explain that air is everywhere and discuss how living things use air.
Curated OER
Solving Science Mysteries
Students choose a science-related mystery to investigate such as the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot. They, in groups, research theories and give a persuasive talk presenting the theory they feel to be most likely.
Curated OER
Easy to Read
Students compare reading passages in paragraph form to book form. They determine that the reading passages on the state assessments are no more difficult than the books they choose to read. They turn their favorite books into reading...
Curated OER
The Hidden History of the Roman Empire
Pupils compare entertainment in ancient Rome to entertainment today. In this ancient Rome activity, students research the details regarding the entertainment that occurred in the Colosseum and the Circus Maximus in Rome. Pupils compare...
Curated OER
Alphabet Animals
Second graders create an encyclopedia of unusual animals, using a variety of resources to collect their information. Each student illustrates an animal and provides a brief description for each letter of the alphabet. A very nice,...
Curated OER
Amazing Americans
First graders research amazing Americans during the first 100 years of American history. After a lecture/demo, 1st graders use a worksheet imbedded in this plan to write 2-4 sentences about 4 of the Americans presented in class.
Curated OER
A Look Through Time
Second graders explore how people find out about history. They use previously gathered research to produce tourist pamphlets that highlight historical county events.
Curated OER
Industrial Revolution - Inventor's Exposition
Sixth graders examine the impact of the Industrial Revolution on America today. In this American History lesson, 6th graders research a specific inventor from this time period. Students write a paper describing this inventors...
Curated OER
Biomes: Adapting To Deserts & Other Ecosystems
Students examine how animals must be adapted to the conditions of its environment to survive. In this biomes instructional activity students research desert adaptations then discuss how these animals have survived.
Curated OER
Prairies
students make booklets about each of the following: reptiles, birds, plants, animals and buffalo. Each was information and contained the facts covered in class. they research one specific area in which they were especially interested....