Curated OER
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Young scholars write a literary response essay to Maya Angelou's novel, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In this literary response lesson, students complete pre-writing activities, discuss the rubric for the essay, and visit the given...
NOAA
Make an Edible Coral Reef
Coral reefs are full of an abundance of life and color. Why not celebrate it with an edible coral reef? Learners and teachers alike use cake, icing, and candies to create a tasty version of a coral reef that's complete with colors,...
Curated OER
Suspended 1,353 Feet Up
With a series of pictures you are transported to Chicago's Skywalk. Read about this magnificent tourist attraction and answer the reading comprehension questions provided. Extend this activity by having your class write about other...
Curated OER
Dancing Skeleton Puppets
Students experience, explore and study the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead. They assess the importance of having bones, identify the different bones that we have in our body and encounter how to make a skeleton and decorate it in...
Curated OER
Indigenous People Day
Do you know why we celebrate the International Day of the World's Indigenous People? Did you even know we celebrate this day? After reading a short passage about this international celebration, scholars answer true or false questions,...
Curated OER
Birthday Customs
Students are introduced to the customs and origins of a variety of common birthday celebrations. They work in groups to research common birthday customs and history and then make individual books highlighting a custom that has meaning to...
Curated OER
"Live Out Loud" Celebrates Pride Week
Learners investigate human relationships by creating oil paintings in class. In this gay pride lesson, students discuss why the Pride parade is so important, who appears at the parade and how art is used to spread awareness of gay...
Curated OER
My Own Holiday
Students investigate holiday traditions by participating in class celebrations. In this St. Patrick's day lesson, students discover the history of St. Patrick, the religious context of the holiday, and the fine foods and traditions that...
Curated OER
Exploring Animals in Literature
Celebrate Be Kind to Animals Week while teaching empathy and allegory with creature-related texts
Curated OER
The Journey to Civil Rights
Students explore Civil Rights. In this Civil Rights activity, students read about Ruby Bridges and define the words segregation and supremacy. Students make a timeline of important events in Civil Rights and write a paragraph about why...
BBC
Rights and Responsibilities - Part 2
Citizenship and basic human rights are the focus of the lesson presented here. In it, learners compile a basic list of human rights, then access a website in order to complete some activities that are based on rights and...
Curated OER
Put A Scientific Spin on Teen Read Week!
Celebrate Teen Read Week by incorporating literature into your science curriculum.
Journey Through the Universe
Going through a Phase
Ignore the full moon, it's just a phase. Young scholars observe and record the moon during a full cycle before learning to predict future phases. Then the instructor leads a discussion on the other solar system objects that also go...
Curated OER
Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in New York
Same-sex marriage is the hot topic discussed in this New York Times article. Upper graders read the article and then answer eight comprehension questions. Note: This article is more about the Senate and legislation than about same-sex...
Curated OER
Earth Day
Learners participate in activities that familiarize them with what Earth Day is, why it is important, and why it is a celebration.
Curated OER
I am a Hero for Animals!
Students explore the humane treatment of animals. In this character development and civic responsibility instructional activity, students define "hero" and brainstorm related attributes. Students complete an action plan using the...
Curated OER
Let Freedom Ring: The Life & Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Students use text and photos to visualize the delivery of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s historic "I Have A Dream" speech. They analyze Dr. King's speech for examples of imagery and allusion and create original poetry and illustrations...
Curated OER
Why Do We Have Thanksgiving?
Students investigate the change in the Thanksgiving holiday over time. They research the Native Americans and Pilgrims to find out how their relationship affected the holiday. They create a PowerPoint presentation using digital cameras...
Curated OER
Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois: The Problem of Negro Leadership
Students focus on the problem of African American leadership throughout American history. In groups, they research the life and works of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois and how they worked to promote the need for African American...
Curated OER
Who are My Sisters and Brothers?
Students explore religion by completing a cultural diversity activity. In this human compassion lesson, students identify all of "God's Children" as their sisters and brothers. Students read the book Frederick in class and listen to...
Curated OER
American Women Who Shaped the Civil Rights Movement Explored Through the Literature of Eloise Greenfield
Examine the women who contributed to the Civil Rights movement. In groups, children read excerpts of writings from Eloise Greenfield and research the women she mentions using the internet. To end the lesson, they create a timeline of...
American Museum of Natural History
What is Anthropology
A colorful resource introduces learners to the four major fields of anthropology: cultural anthropology, linguistic anthropology, biological anthropology, and archaeology. Explanations are provided for what each field studies, the kinds...
Curated OER
Showing Your Community to the World
Students investigate the environmental and human implications to local communities of hosting a major exposition or fair in their region. They study current site conditions and develop a comprehensive plan.
Curated OER
Writing: Teacher Appreciation Week
Learners celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week by writing letters to former teachers. They brainstorm ideas and memories to include in their letters.
they include special greetings and random thoughts of kindness.