Curated OER
Do We Control Nature, or Does Nature Control Us?
Student examine the theme of man versus nature in art. For this man versus nature lesson, students examine various pieces of art and discuss the theme as it is depicted. They discuss whether the themes shown in the artwork are relevant...
Curated OER
Technology as a Design Tool for self-portraits
Students create self-portraits using the technology of digital cameras mixed with other media. Adobe Photoshop is a requirement for this specific three week project. State standards for the arts are addressed.
Curated OER
Images of Children in Dorthea Lange's Photographs
Students research the photographs of Dorthea Lange. For this visual art lesson, students look at photographs of children taken by Lange and answer several questions. They write or tell stories to explain what they think is occurring in...
Curated OER
Drawing With Scissors Like Matisse
Learners study the life and art style of Henri Matisse. They view various prints from his early and late art styles. Then students draw something they enjoy and cut out pieces of colored construction paper and glue them onto pieces of...
Curated OER
Relating to Franklin's Age of Reason
Fourth graders read a selection describing 13 virtues from "The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin." They keep track of their behavior and whether or not they can keep up with 5 chosen virtues. They write a 5 paragraph essay on their...
Curated OER
Putting a Spin on Current Events
Students examine the symbolism on a 17th-century cabinet. In this symbolism instructional activity, students view samples of a 17th century cabinet and identify it's symbols. Students create their own cabinet by using various art...
Curated OER
Passage to Freedom Teacher's Guide
Students explore the main elements of the book Passage to Freedom. In this reading response lesson, students participate in pre-reading activities that focus on the idea of courage. Students conduct a book walk-through and are introduced...
Curated OER
Bio-Poems and U.S. History
Students explore U.S. History by writing poems. For this United States leader biography lesson, students identify elements needed to create a good poem, and write a Bio-Poem about themselves. Students utilize the same form to write a...
Curated OER
Under Electronic Lock and Key
Students evaluate issues of privacy and security by discussing whether or not one must compromise privacy to better ensure security and vice versa.
Curated OER
African-American Iowans: History, contributions & Accomplishments.
Students explore lives of African-Americans in Iowa. Students will examine biographies and discuss perspectives of African-Americans. They will then create posters illustrating elements of those lives finally, putting on a five act play...
Curated OER
Brown Bag It
Fourth graders draw an object relying only on their sense of touch and imagination and then draw it again using their powers of observation to create a detailed study of the object. Comparisons are then made of the two drawings.
Curated OER
A "Fresh" Approach to the District's 6+1 Traits Writing Assessment
One way to assess improvement in writing is to conduct a district-wide assessment program. This resource details the Wisconsin Dells approach to assessing freshmen 6+1 Traits writing. The format could be adapted to any district or used...
Water
Global Water Supply Middle School Curriculum
We take a steady shower stream and clean drinking water for granted, but in many countries around the world, the lack of water or a clean water supply is responsible for higher sickness and death rates. Taking a closer look at the water...
Curated OER
Vocabulary and Concept Development
After introducing your class to root words and affixes, present them with this short review and practice opportunity. To start, they share definitions of root words and affixes with their partners. Then, after looking at some affixes and...
Curated OER
Come Into my Parlor
An interesting cross-curricular lesson on dairy farming awaits your students. Elements of language arts, math, social studies, and agriculture are all present. Many excellent worksheets and a good article on dairy farming are included in...
Curated OER
Scrambled Stories
Character development, setting, and plot? Sounds like the makings of a good narrative story. Young authors read and analyze several narrative examples, and then they use what they know to pen an original composition. They work both in...
Curated OER
Latino Literature: Poetry
Under construction, this lesson focuses on Canto Familia, a collection of poetry about Gary Soto's experiences growing up in California's Imperial Valley. Representative of the experiences of many Latinos, the poems also address themes...
Curated OER
The Memory Invention
Young writers edit their writing to make sure it shows good meaning and clarity. In this writing lesson plan, students are given a variety of "What If?" scenarios to choose from as writing prompts. A class discussion ensues, which...
Curated OER
What's the Big Idea
Discuss the concept of main idea in a story or other reading material. Middle schoolers identify the main idea in a passage using a technique that eliminates unnecessary words not relevant to the main idea.
Curated OER
Lesson Plan 2: Good Novel, Bad Novel
What are the characteristics of a good piece of writing? What makes a story interesting? Give your pupils a chance to define the qualities of good novels and what they see as the qualities of bad novels. Class members record these...
Curated OER
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck: Fun Trivia Quiz
Are you reading The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck in your class? If so, this quiz might be useful for you. This is an online interactive quiz that covers the novel's theme, plot, and characters. The quiz refers to the entire novel,...
Curated OER
Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End Activity Worksheet and Progress Test
For this Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End activity and progress test worksheet, students respond to a total of 15 short answer, multiple choice, matching, and fill in the blank questions pertaining to Pirates of the Caribbean -...
Curated OER
The Winter's Tale: Fun Trivia Quiz
This online quiz asks basic comprehension questions for Shakespeare's A Winter's Tale. Test-takers answer fifteen multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank questions, and receive immediate feedback. These basic questions focus mainly on...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan 8: Setting and Mood
What mood does this story evoke? How are setting and mood linked? Young novelists explore the different emotions brought about by writing, starting by journaling things that inspire their own feelings. Examine the word mood, looking into...