Historical Thinking Matters
Scopes Trial: 5 Day Lesson
Did Scopes violate the Butler Act? Why did so many Americans follow the Scopes trial? See analytical reading in action with a fantastic five-day lesson plan in which class members consider the historical context that provoked public...
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Picture Poetry
What a fun idea! The class discusses, and then writes free-verse poems using sensory detail. They get into small collaborative writing teams to compose their poems. Next, they pantomime the actions from the poem while their teammates...
British Council
Shakespeare’s Idioms
Lie low. Break the ice. He's a night owl. Idioms, in this case idioms created by Shakespeare, are the focus of resource that includes a PowerPoint presentation, an activity, and a brief lesson, all intended to give kids a chance to...
Curated OER
"Julie of the Wolves"
Fifth graders research life in Alaska and compare life there to their lives in this lesson. They read "Julie of the Wolves." They research through the novel and other reference books facts about the Alaskan climate and geography. They...
Curated OER
Diversity - Grade 7
Seventh graders consider the diversity of the First Nations cultures in Canada. For this cultural diversity lesson, 7th graders research the cultural groups of the First Nations as well as their contributions to Canadian society....
Curated OER
Figurative Language - Part Two
Students need to use their papers from Part One of this lesson. They then write a paragraph for each term. This exercise help them to use these terms in their writing. Using figurative language makes writing more descriptive and alive.
Curated OER
Modern Japan: Tsunami Relief
Students participate in a instructional activity that is concerned with modern day tsunami relief in Japan. They conduct research and chart the regional alert centers. Students also note the worldwide effort to help those in need.
Curated OER
Twitter Tweet Chapter Summary
Students use Twitter to complete a literature analysis. In this literature and technology lesson, students read chapters from a piece of literature and write summaries. Students use Twitter to communicate about the literature.
Curated OER
Preparing for Poetry: A Reader's First Steps
Young scholars complete poetry analysis using William Shakespeare's "Sonnet 130" as a part of a study of figurative language. In this Shakespearean language instructional activity, students define literal and figurative language and...
Curated OER
Finding Yourself Through Autobiography
Students read the writings of individuals whom they know and admire. They see that writing about themselves is worthwhile and important and helps them become better writers. They share their own life experiences, write about personal...
Curated OER
Picture Word Book
Students create a book. In this vocabulary and word identification lesson, students make a book by gluing pictures on construction paper, then the teacher writes words in the book to label each picture.
Curated OER
The Interactive Read-Aloud
Students listen to a variety of books about immigration themes. They discuss immigration and some of the ideas presented in the books. They complete a variety of immigration-themed art projects.
Curated OER
Immigration Unit
Third graders develop an appreciate for the various cultures that are present in their local community. Through reading and research, they explain how various culture came to live in their area. At the conclusion of the unit, 3rd...
Curated OER
Creating Comic Strips
Students recognize the elements needed to create a comic strip. In this comic strip lesson, student understand that comic strips need words and pictures. Students find differences and similarities in comic strips. Students describe how...
Curated OER
Charlotte's Web
Fourth graders focus on fluency by reading the book Charlotte's Web. In this reading strategies instructional activity, 4th graders partner read, do guided reading, and independent reading to increase fluency. Students use Venn...
Curated OER
Dalai Lama: Day 2 of 5
Sixth graders explore philosophy by researching the Dalai Lama. In this Tibetan history instructional activity, 6th graders discuss the influence of Buddhism on the Dalai Lama and the unique view on life a Buddhist must have. Students...
Curated OER
Basic Feature Interviewing
Students act as reporters to develop interview skills. In this interview lessons, students develop the skills needed to use anecdotes and quotes to make an interview interesting. They practice asking questions over and above the 5 W's so...
Curated OER
EARLY CIVILIZATIONS
Students compare and contrast the monuments of four ancient cultures and draw conclusions about the origins, construction, and purposes of these structures.
Curated OER
Primary Sources in the Classroom: A Gold Rush Perspective
Students develop and hone their historical inquiry and analytical abilities. They draw up a list of 20 essential items they would have to bring to survive one year as a Gold Rush stampeder.
Curated OER
Writing a Tall Tale
Students study the various aspects of tall tales. They read various tall tales and discuss the characteristics and literature aspects of tall tales. Students write their own unique tall tales.
Curated OER
Looking At the World Through Different Eyes
Middle schoolers are introduced to the concept of reframing as a problem-solving alternative. They present the value of incorporating adults into their suport system. Students draw what they think Creep Face and Maggie saw when they...
Curated OER
Learning About Firemen
Students explore the job of a fireman. In this career education lesson, students brainstorm what they already know about firemen and take a field trip to a fire station.
Curated OER
Teachers on the Horizon
Twelfth graders are given the opportunity to serve as cadet teachers for fourth and fifth-grade gifted students. In this career choices lesson, 12th graders discover how meaningful being a teacher can be.
Curated OER
Where the Red Fern Grows: A 4th Grade Literary Focus Unit
Fourth graders explore the human and animal connection along with the idea that death is a part of the life cycle. They read "Where the Red Fern Grows." Students examine the feelings and emotions surrounding death and they discover the...