Social Studies School Service
DVD Lesson Plan: Thirteen Days
Here you'll find a fine teacher reference for presenting the film Thirteen Days, a dramatic interpretation of the Cuban Missile Crisis during the Kennedy administration. It includes a brief description of the film, learning objectives, a...
Curated OER
Introduction to Engineering Information Technology
Students demonstrate knowledge of information sharing skills by discussing each step with their group members. They demonstrate application of information sharing skills by working with a group to share specific pieces of data with...
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Electronic Survey Activity
Fifth graders conduct a class survey and share the results with a class in another state via an electronic bulletin board. This technology-rich lesson is an ideal way to have learners practice communicating with others through the use of...
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Immigration and Ancestors
We are all immigrants to this country and the study of immigration can help students connect to history in a personal way. Students will listen to audio clips from the Ellis Island web site, discuss the treatment of immigrants in the...
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Avoiding Consumer Fraud: Financial Scams and Schemes
Young consumers get a hefty dose of information on how fraud can put their financial health at risk. The resource provides detailed lecture notes, scaffolded notetaking sheets, vocabulary worksheets, transparencies, and seven links to...
Owl Teacher
Teach Prehistory!
Are you wondering how on Earth you're going to teach prehistory to your class? Don't worry, you'll find everything you need to conduct a unit study on the Ice Age, human origins, and the evolution of human culture. Included is a list of...
Curated OER
What is Plagiarism?
A little redundant, this quiz nonetheless drives the point home: don't plagiarize! Nearly all questions are hypothetical scenarios followed by "Is this plagiarism?" Reinforce this notion through a quick quiz online.
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Financial Contracts
Prepare your class for the real world and learn the basics about credit and the principles behind using it wisely. The activity includes handouts that explain the necessary vocabulary and concepts to understanding credit. After reviewing...
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Order of Operation
Create a slide show that explains and applies any of the operations and algebraic properties using integers. Slideshows are compiled, shown to the class, and critiqued for accuracy by the rest of the class.
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Aquatic Exotics
Students identify and describe the aquatic exotic species found in Illinois. Using the internet, they research the species origins and discover their effects on native species in the area. They discuss how appropriate it is to introduce...
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Boating Safety
Young scholars are introduced to the safety procedures to follow while boating. After taking a quiz, they complete open-ended questions about boating accidents in Illinois. They discuss as a class how those accidents could have been...
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A Barn Guide to History
Young scholars use the internet to research the history of their local area through the use of barns. In groups, they discuss the importance of the barns in their community and develop an interpretation of the history of various barns to...
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Emailing Colonial Pen Pals
Fifth graders write emails to a friend imagining they are traveling to colonial America. In this emailing penpals lesson, 5th graders discuss appropriate language and topics in email communication, use correct format and write...
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Using the Internet for Grammar Exercises
Middle schoolers identify correct forms of verbs and use the internet to complete grammar exercises.
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Madagascar Adventure
Middle schoolers develop photo essays on Madagascar's environmental challenges. In groups, students research and develop photo essay slide shows to explore the issues of balancing the needs of Madagascar's human population with those of...
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Pio, Pio, Que Frio
Students investigate the characteristics of living things. They determine that different organisms have different needs and describe and compare them. They draw and verbally respond about their favorite animal.
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Digging Into the Past
Fifth graders study fossils and how they are charted. For this fossil lesson plan, 5th graders research the excavation process of discovering fossils, and view fossils. They then do a hands on activity that involves plastic fossils that...
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New York Cities Map Quiz
In this online interactive geography worksheet, students examine a map of New York and identify the 11 noted cities on the map using a pull down menu within 3 minutes.
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California Cities Map Quiz
In this online interactive geography quiz worksheet, students examine the map that includes 12 California cities. Students identify the names of the cities in 3 minutes.
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Periodic Table
In this science worksheet, students use explore the crime of the missing elements in order to become more familiar with the Periodic Table.
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The Korean War
Students examine the implications of the Korean War. In this Korean War lesson, students access the Korean War website to gain access to veterans of the war that they may interview. Students conduct interviews with veterans and create...
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Hunger at Home
Students discuss the plight of the homeless in the U.S. and in their own community. They participate in a food drive for a local shelter. They role play being homeless and discover what it would be like to not have food or shelter.
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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....
Common Sense Media
Cyberbullying: Be Upstanding
Peers discuss cyberbullying and how they can defend their friends that may be bullied online and offline. They discover the value in showing empathy for those who have been cyberbullied. Class members then generate multiple solutions for...