Curated OER
The Underground Railroad
High schoolers write about the impact of the Underground Railroad. They examine primary documents as they conduct independent research to explore the role of the Underground Railroad during the fight for abolition. They compose essays...
Curated OER
Making Inferences While Identifying Similes and Metaphors
Use this lesson plan to study similes and metaphors and the inferred meaning. In this language arts lesson plan, 5th graders write their own similes and metaphors. A worksheet is provided for extension work or to check understanding as...
Achievement Strategies
CCSS Unit Design Template for Art
Art classes, like any lab class, require extensive preplanning and set-up time. Use this planning template in the quiet before the storm to identify the equipment and materials that will be needed, the procedures and processes...
Curated OER
El Ballet Folklorico de Mexico
Students conduct Internet research on the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico. They complete a worksheet answering questions about the Ballet Folklorico, and create an award and write a speech to present to the class.
Curated OER
"Tis The Season" Bulletin Board
Students explore a variety of objects which represent the various seasons as a preparation for writing about their birthday and the season in which it is located.
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Me, Myself, and I
Young scholars visually express their personalities using writing and PhotoShop. They manipulate imagery to illustrate their written description of themselves. Students display their creations.
Curated OER
Illinois Biodiversity
Students examine the amount of biodiversity in the state of Illinois. They practice using new vocabulary and listening to stories about animals. After given time to reflect, they write their own haiku. They work together to create a...
Curated OER
Treasure Hunt: Coordinate Graphing
Two of the best words any one can hear– treasure hunt! Your class will be excited to practice graphing on a coordinate grraph as they identify and write coordinates for landmarks they see on a treasure map. They trace their route to the...
Curated OER
Bats
Students investigate bats. In this animal science lesson, students use several websites and suggested bat books to write an informative paragraph. Students should be able to write with 90% accuracy.
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The King of the Birds vocabulary
Science and language skills come together in The King of the Birds. After reading, discuss the names and types of birds in the story and write given sentences to portray the difference between comparative and superlative adjectives....
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Pirate Map
Students write directions explaining how to get from one location to another by using a map of their town and use simple maps to identify and locate places.
Curated OER
We the People: A Study in American Voter Turnout: US Government
Students examine and compare voter turnout in US Elections. They write a letter to a favorite candidate or representative suggesting ways to increase voter turnout.
Curated OER
All About Me
This is an awesome resource for any elementary or middle school teacher about to start a new school year! This resource includes an extensive list of activities for introducing the members of your class to each other. Some of the ideas...
Curated OER
Civil War Diaries
Fifth graders examine excerpts from a diary of a Confederate soldier and his experiences in a Union prison camp. After receiving character cards, they write diary entries from the perspectives of their Civil War identity. As an...
Curated OER
Shared Birthdays
Pupils gather information on their classmates birthdays and create a spreadsheet with the dates. Using the internet, they find a famous person who shares their own birthday. They research the life of the famous person and develop a...
Curated OER
Breaking Free From Conformity
Students reflect upon how Transcendentalism focuses on individualism. From their belief that God was within every person to their steadfast belief that every man should make decisions based on personal moral values, individualism was...
Curated OER
Twain's Hannibal
High schoolers use primary resources to examine the context the writings of Mark Twain. They criticize the resources for reliability, accuracy, perspective, relevancy, and authoritativeness.
Curated OER
Habitat Happenings
Students examine the characteristics of the Prairie Creek Habitat in Illinois. In groups, they travel between various stations writing haikus and reading brochures. They identify what occurs in each habitat and identify the animals...
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Going Buggy
Students identify the parts of a dragonfly that they drew. They write a very short non-fiction story (mainly with pictures) about the adventure of a dragonfly. They interview a person dressed as a dragonfly to find out some things about...
Curated OER
Haiku
In this poetry worksheet, students read about how to write a haiku poem. Then, students write a their own haiku and a reflection about their poem.
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Budgeting: You Can't Manage What You Don't Know
Students discuss budgets. For this mathematics lesson, students watch an episode of Biz Kid$ about budgeting, participate in a guided group discussion, and create a pamphlet to teach others how to budget their money. Extension activities...
Curated OER
Vocabulary: Multiple Meaning Words in Context
Learners use context clues to define words with multiple meanings. After extensive practice with their teacher, learners read through six sentences, they then identify a word with a multiple meaning, and determine its meaning based on...
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Mapping Meteorites
After reading an article, "Cameras Capture a 5-Second Fireball and Its Meteorite's Secrets," space science superstars use the triangulation method to determine the location of a distant object. In-class activities and homework are...
Curated OER
Dramatizing Your Story
Students write a script, planning and recording improvisations based on personal experience and heritage, imagination, literature and history.