Agriculture’s Lasting Heritage
Apples Around Us
Apple tasting launches an investigation of the story and travels of John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed. After listening to his story, class members craft a summary of the tale, chart his journeys on a map, and sample different...
ReadWriteThink
Comics in the Classroom as an Introduction to Narrative Structure
A picture is worth a thousand words, but a comic strip combines both images and words for the ultimate narrative effect. After reading The Three Little Pigs and deciphering the plot elements, elementary readers work through four...
Curated OER
Artifacts 2: Artifacts in Context
Students explore world history by completing artifact worksheets. In this archaeology instructional activity, students identify the importance of finding clues when researching historical information by utilizing artifacts. Students...
Curated OER
You Decide: Roanoke the Lost Colony
Students develop an idea about what happened at the Lost Colony of Roanoke. In this Roanoke Colony lesson, students examine associated vocabulary before listening to Roanoke The Lost Colony, An Unsolved Mystery from History by Jane...
Curated OER
Ask Your Mummy
Students explore the scribes, pharaohs, and pyramids of Ancient Egypt. They also locate ancient cities on a map and explain religious traditions.
Curated OER
Under the Spell of Spiders!
Students read about spider body parts, abilities, tendencies, and life cycles. In this Under the Spell of Spiders! lesson, students create mystery creatures that turn out to be spiders. Students catch and observe spiders and insects....
Curated OER
Dragons: Dinosaurs in History?
Students read the scripture that cooresponds with this lesson on dinosaurs. Using the text, they identify where dragons are mentioned and determine if they match the description of what we would call a dinosaur. They discuss whether...
Curated OER
Dinosaur History (Part 5)
Eighth graders read the scripture that cooresponds with this lesson on dinosaurs. As a class, they review the great flood and discuss how the animals on the ark repopulated the Earth. They read more verses and answer questions to be...
Curated OER
Dinosaur History (Part 3)
Students read the scripture that corresponds with this lesson on dinosaurs. Using the text, they try to determine the diet of humans and animals at the beginning of creation. They use the Internet to research animals with sharp teeth...
Curated OER
Mystery Photo!
Students examine an original engraving of a piece of equipment called, The Grasshopper Catcher. They describe how technologies developed in Iowa during the Industrial Revolution influenced farming practices, and develop hypotheses about...
Curated OER
Science Mystery: The Vinland Map
Students research proof regarding the authenticity of the Vinland map. In this geography lesson plan, students hold a debate based on their research findings. They discuss which side won and write a short essay about their opinion on the...
Curated OER
Dinosaur History (Part 1)
Students explore and interpret scientific data through a Biblical world view. They discuss scientific dating methods of dinosaur bones. Students compare and contrast Biblical and evolutionary views.
Curated OER
Dinosaur History (Part 4)
Students read the scripture that cooresponds with this lesson on dinosaurs. Using the text, they determine the types of animals on the ark with Noah. They identify the factors necessary for fossil formation and discuss how the ark...
Curated OER
The Banana Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree!
Learners research their family history and make a family tree. In this family tree lesson plan, students are given an example of a family tree with names, pictures, and descriptions of each person. They then are instructed to research...
Channel Islands Film
Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island: Lesson Plan 3
Should researchers be able to excavate, examine, and remove Native American artifacts from historic sites? Should companies be permitted to build on sacred Native American land? After watching West of the West's documentary, The Lone...
Curated OER
Back in Time - Next Stop the Middle Ages
Learners are introduced to the Middle Ages through Powerpoint presentations and books. During the presentations students work on various reading skills by reading made up papers about the Middle Ages detailing certain events in history.
Curated OER
The Lost Colony
Eighth graders act as FBI investigators to "solve" the mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island. They decide how they would investigate the situation and develop their own conclusions of what happened these colonists.
Curated OER
Artifacts 2: Artifacts in Context
Young scholars role play as archeologists to determine how artifacts tell about how people lived. In this artifacts lesson, students look at pictures of artifacts of the ancient city of Catalhoyuk and tell what life was like there. They...
Curated OER
Westward Expansion and the Frontier
Young scholars explore U.S. history by researching a historic map. In this westward expansion lesson plan, students discuss the mystery of the western U.S. in the early 1800's and the impact expansion had on Native Americans and...
Curated OER
Investigating the Mammoth Mystery
Fourth graders go on a virtual dig to find out where the mammoth bones found in a rural U.S. county came from. They determine whether the bones were created by humans or were they the actual remains of mammoths who walked the area during...
Curated OER
The Mystery of History - Original Sources
Students examine and discuss the differences between primary and secondary sources. They brainstorm examples of each, locate examples of primary and secondary sources on the Internet, and identify three primary sources from home.
Curated OER
Artifacts 2: Artifacts in Context
Learners will explore an archaeological mystery that demonstrates the importance of context in learning from artifacts. Factors such as the artifact's location, its proximity to other artifacts, and the number of similar artifacts found...
Curated OER
New World Meets Old
Students demonstrate understanding of basic facts about Christopher Columbus and different theories regarding his background. They try to solve the mystery of Christopher Columbus' background and write an essay offering their own opinion.
Curated OER
Amelia Earhart: Queen of the Air
Students watch a video about Amelia Earhart, an uncommon heroine, a legendary aviator and the center of one of the greatest mysteries of modern time.