Curated OER
Non-Fiction Texts
Third graders examine different types of non-fiction texts. In this non fiction lesson, 3rd graders use different types of texts to gather information. Students work in groups to analyze the texts for author's purpose, common themes, and...
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Benjamin Franklin and the Long Struggle for Independence
Students explore U.S. history by reading biographical material in class. In this Benjamin Franklin instructional activity, students identify the life of Franklin and the events that led him to become one of America's first heroes....
Curated OER
Fantasy Creature
Students, in groups, create three-dimensional sculptures from found objects. They paint their sculptures and write essays that reflect on the collaborative creative project.
Curated OER
Creating a Pamphlet/Brochure for a Party or Candidate
Young scholars explore political persuasive writing. In this government and persuasive writing lesson, students work in groups to write text and create graphics for a brochure describing and promoting a predetermined political candidate.
Curated OER
The Impact of Human or Natural Events on the Spheres
In this hydrosphere and atmosphere activity, students work in groups to present an assigned topic's effects on the atmosphere and the hydrosphere. They identify the topic as human activity or natural activity and it's impact.
Curated OER
Team Building
Students participate in various activities to become more successful as a team member. In this team building lesson, students discuss team jobs versus individual ones. Students must work together to complete activities such as moving...
Curated OER
Make Me Metric
Sixth graders explore standard and nonstandard measurement. In this measurement lesson plan, 6th graders estimate the lengths of different objects and write about their observations during measuring. Students work in groups to measure...
Curated OER
Play Doh Map of Your State
Students create a state map using Playdoh. In this hands-on state geography lesson, students work in groups to form a three-dimensional map of their state using Playdoh made at home following a (given) recipe. Students use four colors...
Curated OER
Arriba Amigos!
Students explore how culture effects our world. In this culture lesson, students work in groups to do a web quest. Students gather and analyze information to decide if Mayan ruins should be destroyed to build a shopping center. Students...
Curated OER
Around the Town
Students explore reading maps. In this map reading instructional activity, students compare distances fom place to place. Students work in groups and predict the distance then find the actual distance using string or rulers.
Curated OER
Student Mad Libs
Students investigate the different parts of speech by participating in a fill in the blank activity. In this Mad Libs lesson, students define the different parts of speech and discuss how they are used appropriately in sentences....
Curated OER
Oobleck
Students explore "matter." In this literacy and three states of matter lesson, students listen to Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Seuss, then work in groups to explore "oobleck" (cornstarch and water mixture) with their five senses....
Curated OER
Let it Roll!
Students explore how various ramps affect the rate of speed of a rolling object. In this physics lesson, students work in groups to build a ramp out of various materials. Students test and record the rate of speed of a rolling object by...
Developing a Global Perspective for Educators
The Lorax - Language
First graders identify text features and how they communicate meaning to the reader. In this media literacy instructional activity, learners view the movie The Lorax and discuss how students from another country would respond to this...
Curated OER
Theatre Lesson Plan- Tableau (part 2)
Students explore tableaux. In this social studies and fine arts cross curriculum lesson, students work in groups of four to create "frozen" stage pictures (tableaux) representing vocabulary and concepts from a "From Farm to You" social...
Curated OER
3-D Attributes
Students explore geometric solids. In this geometry instructional activity, students listen to the book The Greedy Triangle by Marilyn Burns, then work in groups to sort geometric solids into various categories. Students define geometric...
Curated OER
Ramp Builder
Students plan and build a ramp designed for maximum distance a car can travel. In this physics and data collection math lesson, students work in groups to design a ramp using various household materials. Students test small cars on their...
Curated OER
Collaborative Choreography, Contrasting Emotions
Students demonstrate choreographic principles, processes, and structures.
Scholastic
The Rise of Railroads: Illinois
Railways not only cross the US, but they are also intertwined with the history of America. Using a timeline format, individuals explore the connections between major events in American history—such as the Civil War—and the rise of the...
Curriculum Corner
Roll, Read, and Color
Familiarize young readers with consonant digraphs using a collaborative phonics activity. Working in pairs, children take turns rolling a die and reading a word from the included chart that corresponds to the number they rolled. Each...
Curated OER
All About Me - A Spanish Collaboration
Sixth grade students mentor third graders to create an "All About Me" presentation in Spanish. They design three slides in PowerPoint and compare their information to their classmates. At the end of the project, each pair presents their...
Curated OER
Great Lakes Snow Analysis Collaborative Network
Students interpret data on snow cover and analyze trend patterns. For this snow lesson students compare data and locate their school's GPS coordinates.
Curated OER
Piece by Piece
Put an insect together piece by piece with a fun and artistic puzzle project. To increase small group collaboration, learners use photos of insects cut into one-inch squares to create an enlarged puzzle version of the image. Extension...
Balanced Assessment
Classroom Groups
How many different ways can a teacher organize a class into groups? In a grouping activity, learners explore the number of possible combinations of groups given different total participants and size criteria. They then make comparisons...