Curated OER
War Fair
Students gather a general understanding of terms related to international rules of warfare and human rights, then discuss hypothetical applications of those rules. They write letters expressing their opinion on the current application of...
Curated OER
Being a Good Citizen
First graders discuss citizenship. In this being a good citizen lesson, 1st graders complete a worksheet identifying characteristics of a good citizen. Students draw a picture then use a flip camera to capture good classroom citizens.
Curated OER
An Orderly Wagon Train Migration
Sixth graders work in small groups to organize a wagon train for a trek westward. They determine leadership responsibilities and rules needed to make a successful trek.
Curated OER
Electricity and Safety
Sixth graders investigate the importance of observing safety rules in the use of electricity. They discuss electricity safety rules, observe a power company employee read a meter, write and perform a commercial about electrical safety,...
Curated OER
Respect for Authority
Students examine the country of Mongolia and how it is trying to form a democracy. As a class, they participate in a class meeting about a new class rule and they voice their opinions. They read excerpts of a letter of a Peace Corps...
Curated OER
Traffic Safety Quiz Show
Students participate in a Jeopardy game answering questions about safe behavior and pedestrian and bicycling safety procedures. They discuss and review biking and walking safety rules then play the game. This lesson plan includes the...
Curated OER
Imperial Notions
Students research how and why different parts of the world were colonized, considering the pros and cons for both the rulers and the ruled.
Curated OER
A Piecemeal Peace Process
Students explore Indian and Pakistani steps toward peace since the Indian subcontinent gained independence from British rule in 1947. They, in groups, research and then create multi-tiered timelines representing politics during those...
Curated OER
East Timor's Declaration of Independence?
Young scholars examine the significance of the 8/30/99 vote in East Timor, which determined the territory's independence from Indonesian rule, by analyzing an NYT article to explain actions/reactions.
Curated OER
It's How You Play the Game
Students assess and explain the qualities that they believe are possessed by great professional athletes. They examine whether or not getting away with breaking a rule in a sport is considered cheating or gamesmanship.
Curated OER
From Basketball Court to Supreme Court
Students discuss scenarios about unfairness and retaliation in school sports. They read about a recent Supreme Court ruling about Title IX, and research, conduct polls and write articles about public opinions on gender issues in sports.
First Ladies
The Women of Afghanistan
Students examine traditional role of women in Afghanistan, their experiences under rule of Taliban, and their struggle to provide better lives for themselves, their families, and their country in years since 2001. Students then organize...
Curated OER
Class Quilt
First graders engage in a lesson which promote acceptance of diversity within the classroom through the creation of a class quilt. They evaluate the final product to find commonalities with other students.
Curated OER
Applied Science - Built Environment Lab
Young scholars evaluate trash. For this Science lesson, students collect and weigh trash from their classrooms. Young scholars categorize the trash and the corresponding weights, recording the information on a data sheet.
Curated OER
Learning a New Environment
Students review a school map with color-coded markers and use it to locate classrooms, bathrooms, library, principal's office, etc. They color a school map, cut it into puzzle pieces and then reassemble the pieces.
Curated OER
The Branches of Government
After reviewing and reading about the three branches of US Government, complete this activity with your class. In groups, they will place their "cards" on the board under the correct branch. This lesson is weak and unclear. I'd make a...
Curated OER
Minorities Ruled
Young scholars investigate various European political parties with anti-immigration agendas. They examine and write written reports concerning the party goals of exclusion or restriction of immigrants in their societies. Students...
Judicial Learning Center
The Judge and the Jury
Unless you are a lawyer, you might not understand just how unrealistic Law and Order and other legal dramas actually are. Here's a great resource to help scholars of criminology gain a more realistic perspective. The lesson outlines the...
Illinois State Bar Association
Mock Trial Teacher Training
Whether you are new to the mock trial format or have extensive experience with the program, you'll find much to learn from this teacher training manual that includes strategies for teaching the various aspects of court room trials.
Mrs. Burke's Math Page
The Amazing Pi Race
Add a sense of excitement to your math class with this race across the country. Using their knowledge of all things circular, young mathematicians work in pairs answering a series of pi-related word problems as they hop from one city to...
Curated OER
Rights and Responsibilities
Start a discussion about individual rights and responsibilities with your class. As they will find out there is a difference between a person's rights and their responsibilities. Included are four discussion questions, activity...
Curated OER
The Imperfect (Past) Subjunctive: How?
Teach your class how to form the imperfect subjunctive. Included here is information on and examples of regular imperfect subjunctive verbs, irregular imperfect subjunctive verbs, and imperfect subjunctive -se endings displayed in long...
Science Matters
Formative Assessment #2
Learners work collaboratively to predict what life would be like as an Arctic Hare. Teams go on a hunt where scholars role play an owl, white hares, and gray hares. Independently, pupils record their findings and reflect on their...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Parental Liability
How many teenagers have wanted their parents to let them make their own decisions? The answer is ... all of them! Scholars investigate where parental liability begins and ends in the eyes of the law. Using case studies and legal...