Curated OER
Understanding Growth of the Phoenix Area
Students study the growth of the Phoenix area using geographic images, maps, tables, and graphs. They study the idea of community.
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The Final Copy
Write short stories in which events are presented in logical order, point of view is clear, theme and characters are developed. Middle schoolers also work on sensory language, concrete language and/or dialogue. They establish their...
Curated OER
A Fairy Tale By Any Other Name
Many classic tales, like "Cinderella," can be found worldwide. Bacis events are similar, but each retelling is molded by the culture in which it exists. Present your class with several version of tale (links provided) and have them...
Dream of a Nation
Group Presentation Assignment
Rather than waiting for the world to change, encourage your class members to become agents of change with a project that asks groups to select an issue found in Tyson Miller's Dream of a Nation: Inspiring Ideas for a Better America....
Dream of a Nation
Read, Watch, Write for Pathos, Logos and Ethos
Encourage your young citizens to make a difference. Using Tyson Miller's Dream of a Nation: Inspiring Ideas for a Better America as a starting point, class members watch documentaries, investigate issues, and then write letters to...
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A'planting We will Go
Germination is an amazing process that results in amazing things. The book The Tiny Seed is the inspiration for a set of activities that will help build early literacy, observation, language, and writing skills. The class observes how...
Dream of a Nation
Writing an Analytic Essay
After researching an issue introduced in Tyson Miller's Dream of a Nation: Inspiring Ideas for a Better America, writers develop an original thesis statement and craft an analytic essay using evidence collected in their research.
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Compare and Contrast Night to Life is Beautiful
After reading Elie Wiesel's Night, watching the movie Life is Beautiful, and researching World War II, class members write a comparison essay on the book and film. This includes a prior knowledge activity, discussion in whole and small...
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Values...What's Important to You?
As your scholars begin their career study, it's important they understand their personal intrinsic values. What makes them feel rewarded? There are discussion prompts here to get learners thinking about specific careers, and they also...
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Sing! Sing a Song!
Learners investigate climate change. They read and listen to an environmental song or a song about change or taking action. Students write, sing, and record their own song about climate change.
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Fashion Recycles
Complete fashion design activities as a part of a study on protecting the environment. In this fashion and environment instructional activity, students discuss global environmental awareness and work in groups to list recyclable products...
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Exploring the Hudson in 1609
While this lesson focuses on a study of the Hudson River, it could be used as a template for a discussion of map skills, converting measurements, and plotting a route. The lesson includes vocabulary and other resources to make it a...
Smithsonian Institution
Watching Crystals Grow
Amazing science can sometimes happen right before your eyes! The class gets cozy as they watch crystals grow. They use Epsom salts, rocks, and food coloring to create crystals. They'll observe the entire process, documenting every step...
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To Rot or Not!
Students discover that composting helps reduce landfill waste and is good for the soil. They explore the techniques of composting through a variety of media, art activities and hands-on experience.
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Environment: Water & Air
The introduction to the lesson mentions a sailor's limited capacity to store drinking water on his ship. Pupils then set up an overnight experiment to remove freshwater from salt water by distillation. There is a math and map activity to...
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Nesting Bird
Your class will love this instructional activity! Learners discuss the birds they have seen in their region and create a collage. The collage contains a picture of a tree, a bird, and the bird's nest. As an extension, they can learn...
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Match the Environment Group with the Correct Sector
Students identify different types of environmental organizations. They connect each organization to one of three economic sectors. They examine how each organization is different in their goals and purposes.
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Investigation of the Aral and Salton Seas
Students become more environmentally conscious. They see that it may be too late to "save" the Aral Sea, but there is still hope to prevent the ecological collapse of the Salton Sea.
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TV Documentary on Coal
Students are divided into five groups with each group assigned one of the following topics: how coal is formed, how coal is mined, how coal is used to create energy, environmental impact of coal mining, and the benefits of coal energy....
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Journaling
Students explore journal writing. In this writing lesson, students are given writing prompts such as "how the choices I make affect our water quality?" and use critical writing skills to express their feelings in a journal. There are...
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Reading Our Neighborhood
Students explore their environment and what they can read. In this lesson about signs, letters, and pictures in the neighborhood, students will observe what they see around them. Students walk around and take pictures of different things...
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Literacy Centers- Kindergarten
Students, after reading the Three Bears, talk about finding a task that is "just right" for them and work at Literacy Centers.
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Earthweek
Students explore the ongoing changes in the relationship between human beings and their physical world. They read articles on environmental changes. Students write a short analysis of the effect of the event on the residents of the area...
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Lesson 11 - Potable Water
Pupils investigate the meaning of potable water and water reuse. They define water quality and quantity problems. They complete worksheets, a quiz and design a poster.