Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nobel Peace Prize Winners

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students work in groups to complete biography overviews and research, organize information and decorate masks to look like their assigned Nobel Peace Prize winner. They present their information to the class as a group then independently...
Lesson Plan
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Uncovering the Tales of Famous Explorers and Their Historical Expeditions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate various expeditions throughout history to new and or uncharted territories. They participate in groups in order to develop and produce television news magazine segments about some of these historical expeditions.
Lesson Plan
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Quinceanera

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the Hispanic celebration known as the quinceanera. They research the quinceanera of two Hispanic cultures using print and digital resources. They compare the two celebrations and create a Power Point slide show to...
Lesson Plan
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Compare and Contrast Culture

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders compare and contrast the cultures of American culture with that of the other cultures of North America. Using traditional and Internet research, 5th graders gather data on one element of culture for comparison. Data...
Lesson Plan
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Parachutes: What Affects a Parachute

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students create a simple paper parachute. In this parachute design lesson, students examine the effects of the wind and make napkin parachutes.  
Lesson Plan
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KEYBOARDS

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders become familiar with appearance and characteristic sound of piano, identify piano as part of percussion family, find middle C on the keyboard, observe scale, chord, and "broken" chord, and listen to a well-known classical...
Lesson Plan
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Fibonacci Numbers

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students calculate the Fibonacci sequence of numbers. Through the use of Fibonacci numbers in flowers, leaves, fruits, vegetables, pine cones, and other forms of nature; students explore how Fibonacci numbers occur in nature. Then they...
Lesson Plan
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The Great Water Hunt

For Teachers K
Students create a model of the land to water ratio in a large group and search for all the places water is used at their school while on a Great Water Hunt. They identify where water can be found and compare how much of world is covered...
Lesson Plan
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Journal of a Virtual Expedition

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students journey with Lewis and Clark. In this literature instructional activity, students read The Journal of Augustus Pellitier-The Lewis and Clark Expedition 1804. Students keep a journal in the persona of a member of the expedition...
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The Clouds Tell All

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the different types of clouds and how they form. They are to create their own weather forecast based on their observations of clouds in their area. Questions are asked for comprehension to end the lesson.
Lesson Plan
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The Little House

For Teachers 1st
First graders read the story "The Little House" and discuss changing patterns and then create a seasonal mandala using a paper plate and crayons.
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Bridge Building

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders will create model drawings of bridges and integrate technology into the process of creating a visual representation. Technology is used in the industry of design and architecture. This lesson plan helps to build real life...
Lesson Plan
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Westward Expansion: The American Indian Experience

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students complete a brief presentation documenting the life of an American Indian. In class, students discuss the pros and cons of placing American Indians on a reservation. After their discussion, students choose a issue in Native...
Lesson Plan
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The Titanic

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars use various sources to compare and contrast information about the Titanic. In groups, they create a list of questions and use the internet to find the answers. They write a report with the new information and use their...
Lesson Plan
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Voices of History: Relating Historic Events to Current Events

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discuss the current events affecting the country today. In groups, they relate a historical event to a current event. They research and present the point of view of a historical figure in an interesting way. They compare and...
Lesson Plan
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Across Five Aprils

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders are introduced to the novel "Across Five Aprils" written by Irene Hunt. They become familiar with the people, places, and events referenced in the story and comprehend the story of the Civil War. Students are given a...
Lesson Plan
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Dewey Decimal System -- Cataloging Collections

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students put their cataloging skills into practice. In this research instructional activity students examine the listed websites that feature Dewey Decimal classification. Students then collaborate to use the Dewey Decimal classification...
Lesson Plan
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Revolutions in Latin America: Bolivar, 1813-1814

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare the leadership skills of Washington and Bolivar. In this Latin American history lesson, students read biographical information about George Washington and Simon Bolivar. Students compare the men to better understand the...
Lesson Plan
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People for the Land: Native Americans in Iowa

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students identify Iowa's American Indian cultures and complete a research project for the topic. In this Iowa's American Indian activity, students research read the background information about tribes in Iowa and complete a research...
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Life Stories

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders create a brief video presentation documenting their research of an impactful African American or woman from history. Students research and identify their accomplishments and create a 2-5 minute iMovie documenting their...
Lesson Plan
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What's So Bad or Good About Conflict?

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students investigate how conflict can be positive or negative. They discuss the concept of conflict while making a class web of their ideas. They design a class bulletin board that includes a thought written by each student after the...
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"Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is?" by Robert Wells

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss how big is big. They compare the area and perimeter of an acre and a football field.
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Creating a Bibliography

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders review the basic structure of a bilbliography and its importance in writing. They create a bibliography of materials used to complete a written report, and power point slide show and use the computer lab to create a final...
Lesson Plan
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Regions of the US: Gulf Stream, States and Their Capitals

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders identify one way of dividing the US into geographical regions and then consider alternate ways of doing the same. They locate each of the fifty states and their capitals on a map. They research the Gulf Stream region.