Curated OER
The Civil War Era
Fifth graders explore both the causes of and the actual events of the Civil War. They write essays and descriptive paragraphs and explore a variety of websites. They create a series of skits highlighting the key points of the Civil War era.
Curated OER
Johnny Tremain for the 21st Century
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the American Revolution based on the novel, 'Johnny Tremain.' They define key vocabulary terms, develop a timeline, write a report on a colonial craft, make a colonial flag, and create a...
National First Ladies' Library
Finding Treasure Island; An Exciting Escape
Students read Treasure Island. They have a choice of a number of activities associated with the novel, including writing a review of the book. Students also participate in a National Geographic High Seas Adventure, going on an Internet...
Curated OER
Jack and the Beanstalk
Third graders read a story and grow a beanstalk. In this literature and life science lesson, the class reads "Jack and the Beanstalk," then lists fairy tale elements and write a puppet show. The students plant pinto beans and observes...
Curated OER
Consequences of Individual Choices
High schoolers take the sides of Patriots or Tories. In this colonial American lesson, students read primary sources that feature James Murray and Captain Jones. High schoolers then write dialogues and limericks based on a fictional...
Curated OER
Legally Wed
Students explore the controversial topic of same-sex marriages in a fishbowl discussion. They write balanced news articles based on interviews exploring people's opinions on laws that define marriage.
Curated OER
All Talk, No Action
Students act as senators to negotiate a compromise on judicial filibusters. For homework, they write letters to their senators analyzing the filibuster debate and making recommendations for the future.
Curated OER
Exchange Students
Students discuss as a class the items they value and why. They read an article about the popularity of cellphones in Iraq. In groups, they work together to create a guide to their culture to share with others visiting their classroom....
Curated OER
Destination Red Planet
Students explore reasons why people are interested in exploring other planets. After reading an article, they identify developments in the mission to Mars. Using the internet, they research the history of exploring Mars and create a...
Curated OER
Who Creates Human Rights?
Young scholars examine the importance of human rights. They participate in a simulation of starting a new civilization on another planet, create a class "Declaration of Human Rights," and write a journal entry based on class discussion...
Curated OER
Life Processes
Students identify life processes and create their own creature. In this creative science lesson plan, students identify an organism's life processes and categorize them into groups. They then create their own creature and write about how...
Curated OER
Guidebook
Students create a guidebook page about a plant on the school grounds. In this life and plant science lesson plan, students identify plants around the school, then research the plant and write a narrative about it. Students publish the...
Curated OER
3-D Magnetic Field
In this magnetism learning exercise, students build a 3 dimensional magnetic field by using a juice bottle, a test tube, iron fillings and a magnet. Students write a descriptive story about what they observe once their bottle is complete...
Curated OER
Truth and Lies Games
Students participate in a get to know you activity. In this social lesson, students write three statements about themselves. One is true and the other is false. Students read their cards and their peers decide what is true and what is not.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Faulkner's As I Lay Dying: Crossing the River
Learners analyze the multiple voices in William Faulkner's As I Lay Dying. In this multiple voices lesson plan, students explore the use of symbolism with the narrative voices of the text. Learners write a detailed profile of one...
Curated OER
The Invisible People: American Art and Literature Represents the Marginalized and Disenfranchised
Students view various pieces of art and sculptures which demonstrates people who are marginalized and invisible. While viewing the art, they are read excerpts of different pieces of literature in which they determine why the author or...
Curated OER
Bill of Rights Day
Fifth graders examine and identify the values and purposes of the Bill of Rights. They complete a class KWL chart, participate in a class jigsaw activity, write and illustrate a book about the first ten amendments, participate in a mock...
Curated OER
Sergei Prokofiev's "peter And the Wolf": Learning And Creating
Students write their own version of "Peter and the Wolf". They explore the characters and the instruments that represent the characters. They use graphic organizing software to brainstorm ideas for characters and story lines for...
Curated OER
The Freedom to Fight
High schoolers study the African American troop experiences in the Civil War. In this American history lesson, students examine primary and secondary sources regarding the experiences and contributions of African American soldiers who...
Curated OER
You and the U.S. Constitution
Fourth graders write new rules of their school. In this rules and U.S. Constitution lesson plan, 4th graders discuss why we celebrate the fourth of July and examine the U.S. Constitution. Students discuss the differences between people...
Curated OER
Places in My World
Second graders explore where they are located on the globe. In this maps and globes lesson, 2nd graders use a map to show where they live and show the cardinal directions. Students identify characteristics of mountains, flat land,...
Curated OER
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Students analyze sculpture, poetry, and music to gain an understanding of historical events. In this critical thinking skills lesson, students take a closer look at African-American history as they examine "Lift Every Voice and Sing'"...
Curated OER
Classroom Guide for Saturday At The New You
Students complete guided reading activities for the book, Saturday At The New You I by Barbara e. Barber. They read about a young girl who visits her mother's beauty salon on Saturdays. They answer pre-reading questions and decide on a...
Curated OER
Pennies for Peace; Using Common Cents to Create Global Change in The Middle East
Ninth graders read, write, listen and speak in relation to gathering information as it pertains to service learning. In this service learning lesson, 9th graders read the book Three Cups of Tea and the complete guide to service learning...