National First Ladies' Library
Saluting Babe Ruth, the Bambino
For first-hand research experience, learners study the achievements of baseball hero, Babe Ruth. They gain a better understanding of the game, especially the role of a home run. They then use their research findings to create...
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Calendars - Teaching Kids Economics
Students study economic terms and create a calendar using digital cameras. They advertise the calendar to the whole student population by making posters and singing an advertising jingle.
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Geography Grid
Fourth graders search a database to find images and scan and affix them on an 8-foot long map of the state of Illinois. They then use it as a basis for discussion.
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Digital Storytelling
Students write a personal narrative and convert the story into digital format. In this digital storytelling lesson, students write a personal narrative, record the story, create images for the story, add animations or transitions, and...
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Olympic Field Day
Students participate in a school-wide "Olympics" complete with opening and closing ceremonies, class competitions, medals and more. Activities can vary depending on age and physical abilities.
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Mark Twain Olympics
Students, during the last week of the year, are placed into 12 teams to represent countries of the world. All of students participate in a school-wide Olympics that involves 4 rounds of fun activities.
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THE 1800s EXPERIENCE
Students explore aspects of life in the 1800's. In this lesson on historical life, students move through various outdoor stations and meet with costumed re-enactors (parent volunteers) who lead students in 8 different activities geared...
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Building a Circulation City
Students identify the different organ systems found throughout the human body. Using a model, they explain and draw the flow of blood and name the parts of the circulatory system. They create their own circulation city in which to show...
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Reformation History: A Comparative Study
High schoolers explore the views of Catholics, Lutherans and the Reformed Church. In this reformation lesson, students participate in a class discussion of the three religions, then complete an activity.
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Enduring Legacies of the New Deal
Young scholars investigate U.S. history by listening to an economics lecture. In this U.S. government lesson, students research the "New Deal" which happened after the Great Depression. Young scholars identify movies, books and music...
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Techno Celebrate
Students explore world traditions by utilizing computer programs. In this Internet research lesson, students utilize the TechnoCelebrate digital database to locate information regarding cultural celebrations. Students utilize Microsoft...
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Investigating Impressionism
Students explore Impressionism and artists like Monet and Renoir. In this Impressionism lesson plan, students visit an Impressionism website and discuss the themes used in the art. Students select an Impressionist artist and research...
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US Government: Foreign Policy (Part 1)
Students explore foreign policy. In this foreign policy lesson, students define terms regarding foreign policy. Students respond to questions regarding textbook readings and a lecture regarding U.S. foreign policy.
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Battle of Lexington and Concord
Eleventh graders study the causes of the American Revolution. In this American History lesson, 11th graders read a story "Guns for General Washington. Students read and discuss statements about war.
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Naughty or Nice?
Pupils practice computer skills by generating Christmas lists and communicating with Santa using the Internet.
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Where are your borders?
Students explore the meaning of borders, both real and symbolic. After viewing film footage and visiting poetry websites, they develop their own point of view. To express their perspective, they are to write a journalism poem, or...
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Pilgrims
Students listen to the book, THE STORY OF THE PILGRIMS, noticing as the teacher lists key words on the board, and then answering questions about the story. They draw a picture of what they think it looked like inside the Mayflower when...
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Writing a V-Mail Letter
Students investigate the challenges of delivering vast amounts of servicemen mail during World War II. For this historical perspectives lesson, students determine how to solve the problem that the postal service faced during the war and...
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Extremely Personal Narrative
Seventh graders practice the skill of writing a personal narrative. They bring in an object that is related to themselves. Then students discuss the importance of the items and then write a personal narrative about the objects. As an...
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Neighborhood Rubrics
Young scholars use a rubric to analyze their neighborhood and write a persuasive essay about changes that should be made. In this writing lesson, students use a rubric to grade their neighborhood and brainstorm improvements. Young...
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What I Want to be When I Grow Up
Sixth graders discover different careers in music. For this career exploration lesson, 6th graders explore four different categories of music careers: music education, music performance, music business and music therapy. Students...
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Exploration and Encounters
Fourth graders research explorers of the New World. In this American history lesson, 4th graders conduct internet & textbook research about various New World explorers. Students compare and contrast the sources used for...
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Newspapers
Students create a class newspaper about the Olympics. In this newspaper lesson, students discuss the basic characteristics of each component of the newspaper. Students work in small groups to complete stations on cartoons,...