CTC Publishing
Interrupting
Everybody loves to contribute to the conversation, but it needs to be done politely so as not to interrupt. Help your little ones learn how to add to a conversation appropriately with a few activities that complement the book, My Mouth...
Curated OER
Interrupting Chicken
Young scholars read the book Interrupting Chicken about someone who keeps interrupting. In this reading lesson plan, students discuss how they should not interrupt in class.
Office of the New Jersey State Climatologist
Play Ball! – Or Not…Making a Decision Using Weather Data
Should the game go on or not? An engaging instructional activity asks small groups to make a decision using weather data. After analyzing a map, an updated forecast, and radar information, groups have to decide whether to cancel a...
New South Wales of Education and Communities
Setting the Scene
How to establish a safe classroom environment for discussion is the focus of this introduction to a series of six resources devoted to personal safety.
Museum of Tolerance
Improving My Community Through Social Action
Action is the heart of change. Encourage class members to not only identify critical social justice issues in their school or community but to take action as well. As individuals or as groups, they research a situation, develop a...
Curated OER
Telemarketers Rights and Yours
Pupils research the controversy of whether or not the National Do Not Call Registry is constitutional, and then hold a class debate. Students research the National Do Not Call Registry, the FTC, the FCC, and the most current status of...
Indiana University
British Literature Restoration Unit: The Pillow Book – Sei Shonagon
First drafted in the year 996, The Pillow Book contains reflections of those met by a lady-in-waiting in the Japanese court. A brief summary, historical context, and discussion questions are provided on the first two pages. Then, two...
University of Arkansas
Assessment and Discussion
"Without concerned citizen action to uphold them (human rights) close to home; we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world. . ." Eleanor Roosevelt's comment is used to set the stage for the conclusion of a five-instructional...
California Academy of Science
Which Way is North?
Who needs a compass to find cardinal directions? Just place a stick in the ground and record the movement of its shadow over the course of a day. Then, measure the shadow lengths in order to determine a north-south line. A simple...
Curated OER
Mississippi Trial, 1955: Imagery Guide
Class members take on the role of jurors in this guided imagery activity designed to be used with chapter 15 of Mississippi Trial, 1955.
Classroom Law Project
What is a class hearing and youth summit and what do they have to do with the presidential election?
After researching the presidential election process, class members develop questions and interview voters about their choice of candidate and the issues that concern them.
National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science
A Case Study Involving Influenza and the Influenza Vaccine
Using a hypothetical discussion between two coworkers broken up into four parts, budding biologists examine the flu shot and some of the typical arguments for and against it. The conversational nature of the reading makes it engaging and...
Endowment of United States Institute of Peace
Active Listening
Ensure that your pupils listen to one another in constructive ways by introducing them to active listening skills through discussion, role playing, and partner work.
University of Arkansas
Promises Denied
"Promises Denied," the second instructional activity in a unit that asks learners to consider the responsibilities individuals have to uphold human rights, looks at documents that illustrate the difficulty the US has had trying to live...
Curated OER
Meter in Poetry
A good poem has form and structure built into it. Middle schoolers see that the structure of a poem consists of stanza, form, rhyme, and meter. The structure also contributes to a poem's meaning. After listening to, and discussing, a few...
Curated OER
My Antonia: During Reading Strategy
Home in on the quote on this page to explore setting, the author's and character's voices, and plot in Willa Cather's My Antonia. Pupils draw a picture of what is described in the quote, discuss the content, and make connections to their...
Curated OER
Cell Study
Students (females) are introduced to the cell. They discuss what a cell is, and students define what a cell is. Students comprehend that all living things are made up of cells. They comprehend that life is defined as something that...
Curated OER
Extended Families
Students examine the various combinations that contemporary extended families take on. They identify how strong communication skills are important to the health of the family after reading a an excerpt from a first-person fictional journal.
Curated OER
Phil Up on the Arts
Sstudents examine the concept of community in their classroom and school. They list philanthropic acts they could perform without teacher permission. They also memorize and sing two songs with philanthropic themes.
Curated OER
Walking in Line Properly
Learners discuss what would happen if there were no driving safety laws, orally state four behaviors for walking properly in line, identify why walking in hall properly is important to promote positive learning environment, and perform...
Curated OER
No Name-Calling Week
Students discuss if they have ever heard someone being bullied or called a name; if so, as each child shares, they hold hands and form a linked circle. They then talk about what they can say or do when they witness name-calling or bullying.
Curated OER
Classroom Rules and Procedures
Students participate in a brief introduction to the classroom rules and procedures. They role play the proper procedures for maintaining a productive classroom atmosphere. Rules and parent letters are distributed and discussed
Curated OER
What Can I Do For You?
Young scholars explore philanthropic acts within the school. In this philanthropy instructional activity, students list acts of philanthropy they can do at school and sing songs about philanthropic acts.
Curated OER
Playing By The Rules
Young scholars investigate the meaning of honesty. In this character education activity, students brainstorm school experiences where they have the choice of being honest. Young scholars illustrate and describe actions related to honesty...