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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Funky Illuminated Fairy Tales

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students create their own fairy tale.  In this book making lesson, students write a fairy tale and turn it into a book. They use decorated initials and borders to make it look like an illuminated manuscript.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking At Illuminated Manuscripts: Exploring an Illuminated Manuscript Page

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students investigate illuminated manuscript pages from the Medieval period. In this illuminated manuscript lesson, students examine 13th century pages and compare them to modern printed works. They describe the details of an illuminated...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Masks and Aesop's Fables

For Teachers K - 4th
Students study and perform Aesop's fables. In this Aesop's fables lesson, students read and/or listen to a number of the famous fables. They make masks based on the characters and perform a fable using the masks. They write about the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Molas from South America

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research world geography by creating a class presentation. In this South American lesson, 3rd graders read assigned text regarding the customs and traditions of different Indian communities in South America. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Counting Crows

For Teachers K - 4th
Students discuss the fable, The Crow and the Pitcher. In this literature lesson, students read the fable and create a crow sock puppet. Students use their puppets to dramatize the fable.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dali & Desnos

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore surreal art and poetry. In this visual arts lesson, students examine works by André Breton, Robert Desnos, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miro. Students then apply the techniques in the works they analyze to their own poetry.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Giving Voice to History

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the plight of Japanese Americans during World War II. In this World War II lesson, students participate in a mock evocation simulation, research primary and secondary documents about internment camps, and share their...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Monkey Dance: Exploring Balinese Culture

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore Balinese culture. In this Balinese integrated fine arts lesson, students listen to a podcast of "The Monkey Dance," taking notes about important features of the dance. Students participate in a jigsaw cooperative...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A World of Myths

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read and write myths. In this world mythology lesson, students read and analyze myths from various cultures and then recognize their attributes as they write their own myths to explain natural phenomena.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lewis and Clark: Prized Possessions

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students consider the role of Sacagawea as part of the Corps of Discovery. For this Lewis and Clark expedition lesson, students discover details about Sacagawea's wampum belt and then create their own wampum belts using their computer...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Playing with Puns

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners examine the wit of characters in two plays. In this drama lesson, students read The Shakespeare Stealer by Gary L. Blackwood and Twelfth Night by Shakespeare. Learners analyze the puns used in both plays and write essays that...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sundiata, Mali’s Lion King

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the history of Mali. In this African cultures lesson, students research the impact of Sundiata Keita as king of Mali, recognize the significance of historical Malian festivals, and create character masks to be worn...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pioneer America: Legendary Westerners - Can One Person Really Make a Difference?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research famous Americans from the Westward Movement and complete an interview. In this Westward Movement instructional activity, 4th graders work in pairs to research someone who was important during this time period....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Swing your Partner: The Basics of Square Dancing

For Teachers Pre-K - 6th
Students perform square dancing steps. For this square dancing lesson, students view a video to learn the basic steps.  Students discuss the history of the dance and perform with partners. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Way with Words or Say What?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine Shakespearean language. In this word study lesson, students investigate the meaning of words that Shakespeare invented. Students draw and pantomime with the words prior to writing short stories that feature Shakespeare's...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rhythm & Improv: Jazz & Poetry

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the elements of poetry and jazz. In this critical thinking skills instructional activity, students take a closer look at the rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, form, free verse, lyricism, and imagery that exist is jazz as well...
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Lesson Plan
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Twain: Tom Sawyer—Mythic Adventurer

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students take a closer look at archetypes. In this characterization lesson, students examine the setting and the characters of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer as they read and analyze the novel. Students consider how Twain mythically...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Without Limits

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders research about the important contributions of two scientists they chose from the list. In this science lesson, 7th graders develop a creative presentation such as skits or news program about their research. They present...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

John Keats

For Students 8th - Higher Ed
In this John Keats worksheet, students read a short biography of the poet. They then analyze and discuss one of his poems. Students then read 2 poems by poet Grace Nichols and answer a series of questions comparing the 3 poems.
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Lesson Plan
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Creative Body Movement

For Teachers All
At the end of this lesson plan, students will perform a brief dance movement and will demonstrate the use of the three postures correctly, safely, and creatively. Students observe group dances and are asked to recall interesting shapes...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rocks in our Backyard

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine igneous and sedimentary rocks. They observe and identify geological formations in their community, analyze igneous and sedimentary geological layers using a geological map, and use GPS to locate geological formations.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Art to Zoo: Kiting Up The Sky: The Vehicles of Understanding

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students gain perspective on the importance of kites by reading about and discussing how kites have been used throughout history. For this kite exploration lesson, students follow instructions to construct a kite to assist them in...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Snug in the Snow

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students explore how snow helps animals survive in the wild. In this animal science lesson, students review key vocabulary words and discuss types of animal adaptations. Students construct shoebox to simulate the snowy environment where...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

the World Rushed In: "Who Are These People? And How Came They Here?"

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss the struggles Californians dealt with regarding diversity brought about by the Gold Rush. They participate in a variety of creative, original activities and projects designed to reinforce the idea of historical diversity...