Curated OER
Flora and Fauna as Figures of Speech
Students view artwork in manuscript pages depicting insects, animals, plants, flowers, and ornate writing, such as those found in the Mira calligraphiae monumenta in the Getty Museum.
Curated OER
Decomposition
Students are introduced to the concept of decomposition. They examine decomposition in their school orchard. They write about their findings in a journal.
Curated OER
Adam's Apples
Pupils examine the /a/ phoneme in both written and spoken words. They practice finding the /a/ in words, watch how their mouths move when making the sound, and write the letter. Next, they differentiate the sound in words, listen to a...
Curated OER
Life on the Lewis and Clark Trail
Students examine the lives of Lewis and Clark. Putting themselves in their shoes, they identify the hardships and circumstances faced by them on the trail. Using the internet, they read journal entries from different points of view. ...
Curated OER
Authors on the Internet
Fifth graders write a list of their favorite authors and illustrators before deciding on ways to learn more about them. They examine print and Internet resources as a way to answer questions they have. They complete an Author Scavenger...
Curated OER
Idea Web
In this prewriting activity, students fill in an idea web. No topic is given or suggested. The web can be used with any reading selection and is an organizer with circles for main ideas and lines for related facts.
Curated OER
Introducing Biographies - Getting to Know You
Students explore several different types of biographies to determine their area of interest, choose one notable person they would like to explore, complete online tutorial on biographies, and use written and Internet resources to...
Curated OER
Understanding Cause and Effect
Learners experience and study cause and effect as they assess the consequences man faces when time travel is attempted. They determine, in their imaginations, what time period they would like to visit. Each student then listens to,...
Curated OER
Stargirl Lesson
Students read a short novel while filling in a graphic organizer for problem and solution. In this sociology instructional activity, students use a prior knowledge and relate the text to theirselves and to think...
Scholastic
Biographical History
Elementary learners study and research an important historical figure. They research a historical figure and use a four square organizer to take notes. They develop a timeline and poem that reflects the life of the historical figure....
Scholastic
Columbus Day/Thanksgiving Ships at Sea
Discover the meaning of Columbus Day and/or Thanksgiving by creating art from food. This activity focuses on making edible ships using easy to find food items. The class will investigate the journeys that were taken for either of these...
Curated OER
Let's Learn About Plants!
After listening to From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons, learners take a walk around their school looking for plants. They use digital cameras to photograph the plants, then construct a class book which has the identities of the plants,...
Curated OER
Journal of Time: A Historical Perspective
Analyze the setting behind the Great Depression in California with Pam Munoz Ryan's Esperanza Rising. Middle schoolers assess the protagonist during her coming-of-age moments, while migrant workers manage the hardships of the...
Curated OER
What is a Make Believe Story?
Explore the concept of make believe stories. In this genres of literature lesson, students discover the difference between realistic fiction and fantasy. They are asked questions during and after the reading of a book to ensure the...
Curated OER
Under the Sea - KWL Chart
Students create a KWL chart to start the discussion on ocean animals. They practice sorting the animals into their different classifications. They use indexes, table of contents and glossary to find information.
Curated OER
Counting With Bears
Students sort gummy bears, count gummy bears, and evaluate and record their favorite colors of gummy bears.
Curated OER
Web of Interdependence
Students investigate the colonial era and the crafts practiced in each of the trades as an expression of the interdependence the colonists had on each other. The impact of emigration from an American colonial town is experienced as...
Scholastic
Perfect Postcards: California
It's time to hear about some adventures in travel! The Transcontinental Railroad changed life and travel in the United States during the 1800s. Practicing online research skills, pupils discover the features they would like to visit on...
Curated OER
Learning to Interview
An authentic and engaging way to practice literacy skills, this lesson calls for young language arts pupils to conduct interviews with classmates and family members. First, pupils watch as the teacher models the interview process with a...
Curated OER
Science Fair Frenzy
Pupils examine the steps for developing science fair projects. They visit stations where they examine posters, books, and paper that describe how to research and design a science fair project. Additionally, they take notes on how to...
Curated OER
Space Jeopardy Game
Young scholars explore space. In this space lesson, students analyze the sky and what causes its changes. Young scholars describe the moon patterns and use a model to show changes in its shape. Students also describe the first trip to...
Curated OER
Bug Snack
Students create an insect out of food. In this insect characteristics lesson, students review the 3 body parts of an insect and use various foods to create a sample insect. Students learn a song about insect body parts.
Curated OER
Planting a Rainbow Bulletin Board
Students explore a variety of colors and shapes after reading the story, "Planting A Rainbow," by Lois Ehlert. The tracking and reading of labels attached to diagrams form an experience in vocabulary development in this lesson.
Curated OER
Create a Playbill!
Seventh graders explore the various elements found in the advertisement of a dramatic experience. Playbills are created that reflect the plot without revealing the climax of the play. Costumes, set construction, and character description...