Novelinks
The Hobbit: Problematic Situation
As part of a unit study of The Hobbit, class members engage in an activity that asks group to practice the skills needed to reach consensus in a discussion.
Virginia Department of Education
Ecosystem Dynamics
Searching for an eccentric way to enhance lessons on ecosystems while ensuring pupils remain creative and motivated? Upon viewing The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, designated groups design and construct a pop-up book that...
US Institute of Peace
Organizations Working for Peace
We're all in this together! Show young scholars that peace is a process and having the support of like-minded people can make it happen. 13th in a series of 15 peace building activities, groups conduct research on a peace organization,...
Curated OER
Capitalization
Teach your class the rules of capitalization with this fun, engaging lesson. Children participate in a learning activity, collaborate with peers, and practice their writing as they learn three specific rules: to always capitalize the...
Curated OER
Human Body Corp.
Learners investigate body systems by participating in a role-play activity. Third, fourth, and fifth graders pretend that they are an organ or system of the human body, and they must write a letter to the body "corporation" discussing...
US Institute of Peace
Observing Conflict
Can your class manage conflict? Give them the tools they need to succeed at conflict resolution with the third lesson in a 15-part series of peacebuilding activities. Learners draw from personal conflict experience as they analyze...
Curated OER
Art On Trial (A Mock-Court Activity)
Students engage in a mock trial to decide if a work of prospective public art is "art" and accepted for a city park. They broaden their definitions of what "art" is. Students distinguish between opinion and informed judgment of art works.
Tide Global Learning
Drama Activities: Role Play
Young actors willingly suspend their disbelief as they improvise a scenario in which they are workers at a clothing factory and must decide their attitude toward the actions of co-worker Rosa Parks.
CK-12 Foundation
Hotpack - Coldpack
Chemistry can help athletes and others protect and treat injuries. Use the interactive activity to explore the chemical reactions in instant hot and coldpacks. Learners manipulate the type of salt in the pack and watch the reaction take...
Curated OER
How many movies can you see in one day?
For kids who love movies, figuring out a schedule for the maximum number that can be seen in one day is not only a good demonstration of Common Core mathematical practices, but also a highly motivating activity. Robert Kaplinsky...
Curated OER
Data Strategies that Drive Motivation
Sharing data after mastery checks or summative assessments helps your learners plot their growth and increases investment.
Curated OER
How Music Motivates
Students form conclusions regarding the motivational effects of music on the mind during the Civil Rights era. In this Civil Rights movement activity, students describe how music motivates, describe the motivational role in freedom songs...
Curated OER
My Autobiography Activity
Second graders tell others about themselves. In this autobiography lesson plan, 2nd graders respond to questions about themselves and then create pictures that reveal their personalities.
Curated OER
Creative Homework Assignments Can Motivate Students
Teachers can make homework more meaningful by giving students interesting and motivating assignments.
Curated OER
Fairy Tale Lessons Can Spice Up Language Arts Activities
Fairy tales can be a motivating way to introduce students to a variety of topics, including literary analysis.
Curated OER
Ulster-ior Motives
Students examine the creation of the Northern Ireland Assembly as an historic step in the peace process in Northern Ireland. They work in four small groups, each exploring the history and objectives of one of the parties in the new...
Curated OER
Etiquette Lessons for Students
Students explore the meaning of good manners and proper etiquette. In this behavior lesson, students read an article that explains manners in the social setting and workplace, then complete several activities that reinforce the...
Curated OER
Five Summer Projects to Keep Students Learning
With the right projects, summer learning can be fun and motivating.
Curated OER
Using Artifacts to Engage Students in Critical Thinking Activities
Creating learning centers with artifact-related activities are a great way to promote deductive reasoning and critical thinking skills.
Curated OER
Japan Writing Activity
Seventh graders explore the current tensions in Asia by completing a graphic organizer. In this Asian politics lesson, 7th graders examine a Powerpoint slide and news article which gives them the information needed to fill in their...
Curated OER
Anticipation Guide for Of Mice and Men Chapter 3
Before reading chapter three in Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, provide your class with this prereading activity. Readers study nine questions to determine how the events of chapters one and two will affect chapter three. Get your kids...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Rise and Fall of Joseph McCarthy
"I have here in my hand . . ." The war against Communism and Joseph McCarthy’s place in it are the focus of a series of lessons examining postwar America from 1945-1954. Joseph McCarthy takes center stage in this, the final lesson...
NOAA
To Boldly Go...
When we think of ocean exploration, many of us have visions of sunken pirate ships full of treasure or mysterious creatures of the deep. What really motivates deep-sea investigation? The first in a series of diverse six-part lessons...
2012 Teaching Resources
Analyzing Character Traits
Character analysis becomes easy with a 24-page packet packed with mini-lessons, graphic organizers, and activities. A must-have for your curriculum library.