Edutopia
Edutopia: Longer Recess, Stronger Child Development
With an hour-long recess, elementary schools can help children develop through increased creative play, authentic SEL, and adequate physical regulation. This article explains the benefit of active play.
George Eastman Museum
George Eastman House: Discovery Room Tips: Think Like a Filmmaker [Pdf]
Learn about the roles of director, cinematographer, and screenwriter in the filmmaking process. Includes templates for making film-production props--director's bullhorn, cinematographer's storyboards, and a scene clapper--so that you can...
Read Works
Read Works: Painting a Bus
[Free Registration/Login Required] A literary text about two sisters who had fun playing with a refrigerator box. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Other
Big Life Journal: How to Teach Problem Solving Skills to Kids (Ages 3 14)
How you teach problem-solving to kids depends on their age. Read on to learn key strategies for teaching problem-solving to kids, as well as some age-by-age ideas and activities.
PBS
Pbs: Play Pretend Post Office (Make a Post Office Lesson Plan)
Instructions for creating a make-believe post office.
PBS
Pbs: Play Pretend Restaurant (Make a Restaurant Lesson Plan)
An exercise in role playing centered on restaurants. Work with young learners to list the supplies needed to run a restaurant. Then gather props, create menus with pictures of food items, and take turns role-playing waiters and customers.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Explore Wedding Traditions
A lesson plan that gives young children the opportunity to learn about weddings and to experience different wedding traditions. Includes ideas for making props and role-playing wedding ceremonies and celebrations.
PBS
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: Playing Sandcastle
Based on the PBS Kids' series, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, students will help Daniel Tiger with creative play. Students will help Daniel Tiger build a sandcastle.
Other
Puppetools
Supported by K-College teachers who use puppets in their classrooms, this site includes copies of puppets plans to print out and create, and an online course on the use of Puppetools, research, and product catalogue. See how to use...
PBS
Pbs: Host a Family Olympics
Design and build a track with obstacles you must go over, under, around or through. Participate in a non-competive event with a variety of games that develop gross motor skills.