Curated OER
Important Contributions to American Culture
Fifth graders explore the contributions of different cultures to the American landscape. Students work in groups and use a variety of resources to create a presentation about a group that emigrated to America.
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The Census
Students analyze why the census is important and the benefits of it. Determine rights and responsibilities in real life situations. They are divided into groups and take a mock census of a list of teachers and students each. Results of...
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The Great Debate
Groups of learners investigate the persuasive genre of writing as they research and present on an issue. They research the Internet (possible websites are included) for a topic and locate information to present to the opposing team. In...
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Effective Writing is More Than a Five Paragraph Essay
Groups become experts in one aspect of the six traits of writing, prepare a PowerPoint presentation, jigsaw, and teach others about their trait. Writers then focus on these traits as they compose a persuasive essay about a person they...
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Realism and Fantasy
Second graders listen to the story, Bruno the Baker, where some parts seem real and some seem fake. They must identify the parts of the story as realism or fantasy. An interesting way to teach young readers these two concepts.
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Ivan the Fool: Lesson 3
Students read and analyze the Eastern European folktale of 'Ivan the Fool.' They discuss the term 'quest,' identify quests in their own lives, and in small groups design a board game that illustrates the czar's quest to find good wives...
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Externalities, Property Rights and Pollution
Students identify the various externalities for any type of production. Using that information, they examine situations in which they are positive and negative. They discuss government efforts to protect the environment and humans. In...
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Find the Value of Expressions Using the Order of Operations
Here is another great way to introduce order of operations using "Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally." Pre-determined small groups work cooperatively to solve expressions. Afterward, they write a journal entry to explain the steps they...
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Find the Frog
Students, the advanced beginner to intermediate ESL level, use English in a science activity.
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Body Math
Students solve simple math computations while practice their throwing skills. They explore how to subtract, add,divide,and multiply, while playing a fun fitness oriented game.
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Teaching Islam, Buddhism & Hinduism
Students study at least two major world religions. They create comparison Venn diagrams or other graphic organizers. Students recognize the similarities that most religions share.
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Teaching Social Issues
Students gather information about social issues, and use the information to form opinions and suggest solutions. Students develop an educational campaign related to an issue on which they choose to focus.
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Mercer Mayer 1: Guided Reading and Using Concept Maps
Students observe a model classroom of children working in a cooperative group activity. After the video, students discuss how cooperative group learning is used to be most effective. They explore the effectiveness of giving well thought...
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Do a Ditty
Fourth graders work in cooperative groups to create a ditty to teach the characteristics that distinguish literary forms to younger students. The ditty is performed before the class.
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DNA Extraction From a Variety of Tissue Samples
Learners, working in cooperative groups, extract very impure samples of DNA from a number of tissue samples. They determine how the samples can be preserved and how they are similar.
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Poetry Book
Students study the following terms and concepts: word choice, dialect, invented words, concrete terms, abstract terms, figurative and sensory language. In cooperative groups, they select three of the terms, research them, and pick poems...
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Take Apart Sentences
Fourth graders explore the two main parts of sentences, subject and predicate. They, in groups, mix up their sentence strips and then place them face down and have a contest to see which group can rebuild the sentences correctly in the...
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Physical Science Fun
Fifth graders explain how the land changes by developing some "land dances." Working in cooperative groups, each group develops a movement sequence that depicts the vocabulary word they are given. They teach dance to other classmates.
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Cabeza de Vaca Meets the Coahuiltecans
Seventh graders examine Cabeza de Vaca's journal and differentiate between primary and secondary sources. They, in groups, design posters that portray the culture of the Coahuiltecan Indians in Texas during the 16th century.
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Organizing Main Ideas and Supporting Details
Students read given information and identify the main ideas and specific detail of the story. In groups, they read a historical title and create a "book talk" for each one, summarizing the story. In addition, students create a...
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Teaching About Peace Through the Cranes of Hiroshima
Students listen to the story of "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes." They discuss the events of Hiroshima, effects of the bombing, and methods people can make a difference in achieving peace in the world. Students use orgami paper and...
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Teaching with Nature
Students participate in a nature walk to learn about their natural environments. In this nature study lesson, students brainstorm a list of things to look for on their nature walk. Students go on the nature walk and locate objects they...
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.