Curated OER
I Was Hungry
Students engage in a lesson that focuses on the problem of hunger in the world. They are presented with the concept of being a global citizen. The context of the lesson is the reading of poetry and focusing on the statement "I was...
Curated OER
Respect
Middle schoolers brainstorm possible problems they could face with a teacher. They read a handout about dealing with teachers and how to handle situations.
Curated OER
Through the Looking-Glass Chess: Create Your Own Games!
Sixth graders research chess in relation to the metaphors in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking-Glass. They read the novel and note references to chess and research the history of chess and how to play the game. In groups, they create...
Curated OER
Should Your Hairstyle Be A Constitutional Right?
Students examine the 1st and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. In this U.S. government activity, students read the Amendments and interpret them in order to respond to essential questions regarding constitutional rights.
Curated OER
Unplugged
Students read the article "Power From the People Breaks the Hold of Batteries and Plugs." Students work in groups to examine various sources of power. Students debate the advantages and disadvantages of each power source. They assume the...
Curated OER
Writer's Workshop: Mood Endings
Students listen to a story, "My Mama Had A Dancing Heart." They discuss the feeling they had after reading the story and define "mood." Students brainstorm a list of moods and discuss the mood of each character. Afterward, they write a...
Curated OER
The Keys To Higher Learning
Students discuss the validity of using the internet for learning. They compare and contrast the various strategies for learning when done online and in class. Students prepare a lesson plan for an online class and write a paper...
Curated OER
Bang for Your Buck
Students explore reasons for making a particular purchase and examine one strategy Wal-Mart stores used to keep prices low. They research and compare two companies that make similar products using different business philosophies.
Curated OER
Any Way You Slice It
Students read an article on the history of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich and transfer the information onto a graphic organizer. They write instructions on how to make a sandwich and switch with a partner. They make and eat...
Curated OER
Rights and Responsibilities
Students examine the concepts of dual responsibilities and rights. They read three cases, identify the rights and responsibilities, and arrive at verdicts.
Curated OER
The Lure and Lore of Weight Lifting
Students examine the importance of physical activity and positive reasons for weight training. They analyze and discuss a famous ad, read and summarize an article, and identify the benefits of resistance training.
Curated OER
Identifying a Message's Purpose
Students examine the character trait of perseverance and identify a message's purpose. They read a biography of Jackie Joyner Kersee, discuss the main message, and develop an action plan with goals and a message.
Curated OER
INTRODUCTORY LESSON for the beginning of each new year
Young scholars study and express the five values of truth, love, peace, right conduct, and non-violence. The lesson focuses on the beginning of the year, introducing the values. Through games, singing, and reading--students become...
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Conquering History
Students explore examples of ancient warfare and discuss the various uses of ancient military technologies. Students investigate the origins of biological and chemical weapons and create a classroom exhibit depicting technology and...
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Context Clues
Young scholars practice identifying the meanings of unknown words using context clues. In this vocabulary lesson, students read sentences which contain an unknown words. They will use the context of the sentence to determine the meaning.
Curated OER
Brooks-Baxter War
Sixth graders discuss and research the Brooks-Baxter War and the election of governor for Arkansas in 1872. In this election lesson plan, 6th graders read about the candidates for governor and why the election was disputed.
Novelinks
The Devil’s Arithmetic: Semantic Feature Analysis
Organize the characters in Jane Yolen's The Devil's Arithmetic according to their shared character traits. After listing character traits as a class, kids note which characters exhibit particular characteristics with a discussion and...
Curated OER
Hoot: List-Group-Label
Word association is a great way to explore vocabulary and new ideas. In a unit about Carl Hiassen's Hoot, kids think about the word environmentalist and come up with additional words that they associate with environmentalism on sticky...
Curated OER
Running Out of Time: Problematic Situation
What would you take with you if you were traveling on your own to a different place? A different time? Pupils decide individually and then in groups what the main character of Running Out of Time should take on her trip. Coming to a...
Curated OER
It's a Mad World
Students explore the various factors leading to anger, the health risks involved in anger, and the techniques people can use to cope with it. Through writing and performing scenarios that enact different causes and coping techniques of...
MENSA Education & Research Foundation
I Need a Superhero
Once the class learns about the hero's journey, they'll find it in every story and movie they see! Take characters from their humble beginnings to their atonement and apotheosis with a set of lessons about the hero's journey focusing...
Curated OER
Singing in the H2O
Learners compose new lyrics to the tune of a popular song in order to teach and explain a challenging science concept being studied in class.
Curated OER
Homeless
Pupils explore homelessness through the reading of "Homeless" by Anna Quindlen. They discuss their thoughts about homelessness and how they feel about the problem. They complete a reader response sheet.
Curated OER
Weights
Students find an object that they estimate weighs 20g and check estimates on the balance scales. They read the problem and work in pairs focusing their understanding on the size of grams.