Curated OER
Schoolhouses
Fifth graders research life in a one- room schoolhouse. They plan and carry out a mock day in a one-room schoolhouse. They make slates on a prior day by painting small boards with chalkboard paint.
Curated OER
Historical Heroes
High schoolers determine whether the ends truly justify the means by examining the behavior of historical and fictional heroes. They view and discuss film versions of Gangs of New York and Les Miserables. Then they break into small...
Curated OER
Pioneering Children on the Move
Students inquire about life for pioneer children. In this pioneer period lesson, students analyze photographs of children, make information foldables, and create a covered wagon that was typical of the ones of the past. Students will...
Curated OER
Afraid! Who, Me?
Learners confront fear through literature. In this literary elements lesson plan, students discuss fear and what they know about the horror genre of literature. Learners then examine the painting "The Scream," by Edvard Munch and listen...
Curated OER
Old Testament of the Bible
In this online interactive reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 15 multiple choice questions about the Old Testament of the Bible. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
Curated OER
Thanks Be To You
Students research U.S. history by completing a worksheet activity in class. In this historical figure lesson, students identify the contributions and risks taken by the former African-American leader Martin Luther King Jr. Students read...
Curated OER
Awesome Adaptations!
Second graders explore biology by researching animal characteristics. For this adaptation lesson, 2nd graders identify the history of several animals and research the changes that have occurred to their anatomy over thousands of years....
Curated OER
Creating a Pot: Repetition as a Unifying Design Element
Students use subjects, themes, and symbols that demonstrate knowledge of contexts, values, and aesthetics that communicate intended meaning in artworks.
Curated OER
The Guilded Age
Students examine the Gilded Age in American history. Using the internet, they research the innovations, business, and immigration during this time period. They create a PowerPoint presentation to share their information with the class.
Curated OER
Holiday: Cinco de Mayo
Students examine the history of the Cinco de Mayo holiday, its significance to Mexican people, and the battle between Mexican and French troops. They view photos of traditional Mexican costumes, make Cinco de Mayo crafts, and examine the...
Curated OER
Country: Ireland
Students use the Internet to examine the history, castles, and folklore of Ireland. Photographs of sites are also included.
Curated OER
Life After Death
Young scholars explore ancient Egyptian beliefs about death and the afterlife by observing and interpreting the design and illustration of a mummy case.
Curated OER
A Simile and Metaphor Lesson
Pupils use their knowledge of similes and metaphors to analyze poetry. For this poetry and language lesson, students read examples of similes and metaphors and write their own examples that describe their city, television, or an era in...
Curated OER
Irony
What are the three types of irony? High schoolers engage in a lesson about the use of irony while reading O.Henry's short story "Gift of the Magi." They'll discuss rising action, climax, and resolution in the text before highlighting the...
Curated OER
The Meaning of Rock Art
Students examine the significance of rock art. They discuss and view examples of historical rock art, and create a design on a rock that tells a story using African and American symbols.
Curated OER
Similes and Metaphors
Use the Civil War and important figures from that period to help your class write poetry. You'll need to create a list of similes and metaphors, but you could also consider having your learners create this the day prior. They will use...
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...
Curated OER
Cave Stories - Tales of Adventure
Students list three things about caves that interest them and list reasons why writers choose caves as settings for stories.
Curated OER
Political Cartoons
Students examine a variety of historical cartoons. They recognize a political cartoon and identify the main idea, symbolism, exaggeration and caricature in political cartoons. Students analyze a political cartoon by Benjamin Franklin.
Syracuse University
World War II
During World War II propaganda was as important to the war effort as the soldiers in the field. Scholars consider how the government communicated messages of patriotism with propaganda by examining pieces from World War II. Then, they...
Curated OER
Unit Plan for The Catcher in the Rye —A “Place-Based” Approach
"People never notice anything." As part of their study of The Catcher in the Rye, class members adopt Holden Caulfield's approach and spend time as quiet observers of their surrounding, recording their observations/reflections in a...
Reed Novel Studies
Elijah of Buxton: Novel Study
Most think Elijah in Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis gets famous for being the first African American child born free from slavery. However, his true fame comes from his adventures to capture a thief. Readers study Elijah's...
Civil War Trust
Civil War Animal Mascots
A pet can offer comfort, friendship, and loyalty in the most stressful of situations. Here is a lesson plan that explores the important role animals played during the Civil War. Class members read informative texts, complete a KWL chart,...
Smithsonian Institution
Dia de los Muertos: Honoring our Ancestors Through Community Celebration
Oral storytelling has been an important part of every culture. The time-honored practice uses stories as a conduit for a culture's values and customs from one generation to the next. Keep the tradition going with a family interview...