Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Problem-Based Research Lesson: Wal-Mart Debate
To prepare for class, students will read several articles (links included). Students discuss the articles, and ways to deal with the proliferation of big-box stores in rural areas. The class takes two minutes to generate a research...
Curated OER
Arkansas Black Pioneers: A History of African-American Colonies in Arkansas
Students research regions of early Arkansas as they relate to African American colonies in Arkansas after the Civil War. They discuss the characteristics of the regions, view a Powerpoint presentation, and write reflective journals.
Curated OER
Coming to Terms: Stories of Southeast Asian Political Refugees
Eleventh graders examine the reasons why Southeast Asian refugees left their home for the United States. They conduct interviews and research their suffering and history. They examine primary source documents to better understand their...
Curated OER
Lesson: Journey of a Tree
Third graders explore the operation of a Christmas farm and how trees are shipped. After taking a tour of a Christmas tree farm and researching transportation, location and cost issues, 3rd graders create a map to show the distribution...
Curated OER
Why Be An Independent Learner?
Students discuss why research skills are important to have as a skill in life. As a class, they identify their prior knowledge when it comes to researching a topic and discuss why it is important to be an independent learner. In...
Curated OER
Observing Fruits and Seeds
Third graders discuss what they think the word "observation" means and discover different ways that we observe. They observe as the teacher demonstrates how to use a hand lens as a tool for observing tiny details. They then use hand...
Curated OER
Nomadic Living
Students describe what it means to be nomadic and the advantages and disadvantages of living this type of lifestyle. After watching a video, they pretend they are nomads and must develop a list of items to take along with them. They...
Curated OER
Social Studies: What Is Folklife?
Learners read an essay about folklife and record their thoughts in journals. After discussing the terms associated with the topic, they complete worksheets on types of folklife, pop, elite, and folk cultures. Depending on the age group,...
Curated OER
Teen Health: Talking with Your Doctor
Students discuss common health care issues they're facing today. In this health science lesson plan, students explain the benefit of seeking professional help. They write a journal to keep track of their own health issues.
Curated OER
Reaching Students through Literacy Centers
Continue the celebration of literacy this month by integrating reading centers into the classroom.
Curated OER
Endangered Species
Students explore the issue of endangered species. They read a summary sheet and case history handout, complete a summary form, define key vocabulary terms, and participate in a class discussion.
Curated OER
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Students explore the 5 themes of geography. In this cross curriculum literacy and geography lesson, students listen to Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett, and make a list of the needs of the people in Chewandswallow....
Curated OER
Sound
Third graders explore sound. They describe sounds in terms of their properties and explain how sounds are made. Students discuss how various sounds sound to their ears and how sound travels in waves.
Curated OER
Differences Between Resource Types
Google it! Like Kleenix, Google has genericized. But when beginning a project, young researchers need to go beyond search engines and become aware of the different types of research resources available. Introduce the options with a...
Curated OER
Chivalry: Dead or Alive?
Learners identify behaviors which may be considered chivalrous and provide a definition of what chivalry entails. They articulate their views about chivalrous behavior identify times in which they have acted in a chivalrous manner.and...
Curated OER
Who Knows?
Students come up with questions that they may ask an expert in a particular field. They contact those experts and ask their questions.
Curated OER
Modeling Reality
Students identify what a role model is and what characteristics such a person should possess. They discuss a new trend in character role model figurines, which some believe perpetuate racial and ethnic stereotypes.
Curated OER
Finding Synonyms
Student identify synonyms in poetry. In this grammar instructional activity, students define what a synonym is and view several examples on the board. Students read a selected poem on an overhead transparency and circle the synonyms.
Curated OER
In Search of California Indians
Fourth graders research information about some of California indigenous tribes to find out as much as possible about the first people found in the west. They research about the history of a selected tribe and their contributions to...
Curated OER
Taking to the Airwaves
Students consider the purpose of talk radio and examine its importance in the new democratic Iraq. They enact mock talk shows based on current events and reflect on the value of free speech and the role audience members play in radio...
Curated OER
Famous Person: Yushiko Uchida
Third, fourth, and fifth graders read the book The Bracelet by Yushiko Uchida and examine the events of Uchida's life. They participate in a guided discussion of Japanese culture, perform a reader's...
Curated OER
Lost Names: Scenes From a Korean Boyhood,
What a great resource to share! Based on the book Lost Names by Richard Kim, this valuable lesson focuses on the Japanese occupation of Korea during WWII. Additionally, it employs first-person journaling as a mode of understanding themes...
Curated OER
Cite Your Sites!
The New York Times article “Lessons in Internet Plagiarism,” launches a look at how the Internet has increased the prevalence of plagiarism. The richly detailed lesson includes warm-up and wrap-up activities, discussion questions,...