Curated OER
The Three Perfections
Students discover the various styles, form, beauty, and grace of Chinese calligraphy by examining works of art from different eras in China's history. This instructional activity includes two possible enrichment activities.
Curated OER
The Butcher, The Baker, and the Candlestick Maker
Students research and investigate an occupation and determine if it is right for them. They discover important character traits about themselves and what they need to do in order to prepare for the future.
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History: Impact of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
Students formulate theories about the Lewis and Clark Expedition about its purpose and impact on America. They write position papers supported with facts discovered in their research. Students include quotes, factual references, maps,...
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Heroes, Elders, Historic Figures, Contemporary Tribal Leaders
Fifth graders research famous Elders. They receive a list of Elders, Historic Figures and Contemporary Tribal Leaders (included with the lesson). They discuss the Essential Question to guide their research. Students take notes based on...
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On the Road Again": Moving People, Products, and Ideas
In this instructional activity pupils learn how to identify modes of transportation and communication for moving people, products, and ideas from place to place. Students also study the advantages and disadvantages of different modes of...
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African-American Heroes
Students explore websites about famous African-Americans. They work in pairs to decide on an African American who should be honored with a stamp. They write a letter recommending this person for a stamp including appropriate reason why...
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Adventures along the Oregon Trail in Nebraska
Students discover how the land and people we develop relationships with in Nebraska affect our survival--past, present, and future. They write about and interview their grandparents, parents and peers and compare them with people on the...
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McDonald's and 'Spiked' Coffee
Students explore food safety. Pupils research what laws relate to food you cook yourself, food you may buy in a restaurant and food bought in a grocery store. They interview food inspectors. Students create a chart to indicate who...
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Please Ex-Planet
Seventh graders create a model of an earth centered solar system and a model of the sun centered solar system. As a class, they discuss why the earlier astronomers believed their model and why it changed when evidence arose that this...
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Solar Cars
Middle schoolers research the causes and effects of air pollution. Using the internet, they examine the specific effects of carbon dioxide on the environment and discover the benefits of using solar power. In groups, they build a model...
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Runaways Past and Present
Tenth graders use video and the Internet to compare runaway teenagers of the 1930s with runaways today. The lesson uses the integration of technology in order to build skills and conduct research.
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Beyond the Story: A Dickens of a Party
Seventh graders collaboratively research the life and times of Charles Dickens as it relates to a character from the story, and write and present a first-person character analysis.
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Fertilizers
Students examine the nutrient makeup in fertilizers. In this plant nutrient instructional activity students see the effects of common fertilizers on plants.
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The Tudor's True Story
Students take effective notes from a video documentary, create an oral report about an assigned aspect of the video, and express an understanding of the King's six wives' lives.
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Discussion of Adaptation
Learners discuss ways in which dinosaurs adapted to their environments. They apply the same logic to an analysis of human habitat, survival needs, and survival need fulfillment to explain how people have adapted to their environment.
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DNA Sequencing Simulation
High schoolers simulate the Sanger method of DNA sequencing using color pop-beads as a representation of nucleotides and dideoxynucleotides. Students assemble DNA sequences and run their sequences through a "sequencing gel" and sketch...
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Folk Dance Explorations in the Choreographic Work of Modern Dance
Tenth graders participate in a instructional activity guided by an essential question: in what ways does choreographer, Mark Morris' work, "The Office," reflect Eastern-European traditional folk dance? During the instructional...
National First Ladies' Library
School Reform, Again!
Students discuss their perceptions and experiences with changes in schooling. They work in small groups to prepare a PowerPoint presentation to explain the efforts toward reforming schools since 1983. Students speculate on the next...
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Religious Tolerance in Pennsylvania
Students analyze Quakers including their beliefs. For this religious tolerance lesson students predict the future effects of the colonies.
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The New Zoo
Students explore animal characteristics by researching the animals in a zoo. In this video documentary lesson, students view the local zoo and create a documentary about a single animal they found at the zoo. Students present their...
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Building Two Literature Pyramids
Middle schoolers create literature pyramids. They read selections of various societies, eras, and ideas. They complete two pyramid sheets for the same literary element including either plot, character, setting, or theme. They color-code...
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Building a Literature Pyramid
Students create a literature pyramid. They review and discuss their assessment task and rubric and select the literature for their pyramid. They read the literary selection and complete a pyramid sheet for one of the four literary...
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MiSFiTTs: Mighty Strange Field Trip Team
Third graders read several Magic School Bus books, compile list of criteria for good places to visit, research two possible destinations for magic field trip, and prepare and deliver presentation to "convince" classmates to choose...
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School Counseling and Home Economics
Eighth graders demonstrate the ability to select and evaluate media. Apply appropriate skills to collect, organize and interpret data. They research a variety of ways to make correct career choices.