Curated OER
Routing Explorers
Pupils read excerpts from an explorer's journal and then become investigators and navigators themselves. Students answer questions about the difficulties and time it took for the explorers to travel from Washington to New Orleans and...
Curated OER
Asian-American History for Grades 6-8
Students use web technology to access American history and the Asian-American experience. They evaluate journals as historical artifacts, especially the concept of firsthand account vs. history text. Students discuss Asian American...
Curated OER
Dream Machines
Students explore the modern applications of robots and create one of the five parts of a robot that could solve a hypothetical public works problem. They study about the use of robots for laying fiber-optics cable in New Mexico by...
Curated OER
Seeing the Forests for the Trees
Students explore changing logging practices in the Congo Republic and research the many roles of tropical forests as a natural resource. To synthesize their understanding, students write letters to loggers in Africa, urging them to adopt...
Curated OER
Official Statements
Young scholars research the viewpoints of famous Americans, and then write commencement speeches reflecting these viewpoints to be delivered to high school graduates of today.
Curated OER
Full Court Press
Students investigate the Supreme Court's role and function in the federal government and examine how Chief Justice Rehnquist's illness might affect the future of the Court. They write letters to President Bush on the Supreme Court...
Curated OER
Who or What is Un-American?
Students explore concepts about civil liberties, research the history of sedition-related legislation in the U.S. and create a position paper on the topic.
Curated OER
Nurturing Nature
Students identify environmental problems and their causes. They explore some of the ways environmental problems are currently being addressed.
In groups students explore causes, possible prevention methods, and laws and regulations...
Curated OER
Croc Talk
Students investigate and study about the members of the crocodilian family and then create poster presentations and write poetic odes to them. They distinguish between facts and myths about crocodilians and assess the new discoveries...
Curated OER
Buddy Systems
Students explore how companies use instant messaging to sell products and services. They write business plans for marketing companies using instant messaging as a medium for advertising and assess related privacy issues.
Curated OER
Learning the Hard Way
Students explore instances of segregated education around the world, supporting and refuting the idea through debate and persuasive essay.
Curated OER
Eclipse: An Introduction
Students write journal entries about eclipses with a focus on solar eclipses.
Curated OER
Local and Global Impacts
Students conduct an interview with Dr. Hajo Eicken to discuss local and global impacts. They hold an audio conference to ask about characteristics of the Arctic environment, climate, climate change, the greenhouse effect and global...
Curated OER
Parent's Choice
Students evaluate Web sites offering services, programs and supplies for Students. They write Web guides, directing parents and guardians to useful information, and write letters to companies offering recommendations for improving sites.
Curated OER
Response to Literature:
Students write about how the book makes them feel, or they can write about what they think the characters are feeling. They share their personal reactions to this very powerful chapter.
Curated OER
Hmong Among Us
Pupils examine the Hmong community in Minnesota, then research and write case studies on refugee communities from the top ten countries with approved applications to the U.S. They write first-person stories from the perspective of refugees.
Curated OER
A Monumental Race
Learners write about the importance of historical sites and landmarks. They research information about an ancient historical site and create a plan for commemorating this site.
Curated OER
5 Senses Poem
Students discuss what characteristics they learned about each season through the story read aloud. They identify each season and come up with objects for each season, such as clothing, activities one can do, and describe the scenery....
Curated OER
No More Freedom Fries?
Students discuss the May, 2007, French presidental election of pro-American, right-wing candidate Nicholas Sarkozy. They reflect on both the historical and contemporary relationship between France and the United States. Students work...
Curated OER
The View
Students explore the structure and purpose of Op-Ed pieces in the newspaper. They then write Op-Eds from the perspectives of United States presidents on important issues of their day.
Virginia Department of Education
Distance and Midpoint Formulas
Small groups work through two guided activities to derive the distance and midpoint formulas for the coordinate plane. The activities begin with concrete examples and move to abstract.
Virginia Department of Education
Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences
Future mathematicians learn about arithmetic and geometric sequences, as well as common ratios and differences as they complete a worksheet matching sequences with the algebraic expressions that represent them.
Virginia Department of Education
Multiplying Polynomials Using Algebra Tiles
Tiles are not just for algebra—see how they can help with multiplication too. Young mathematicians learn to use algebra tiles to model the multiplication of polynomials. A follow-up worksheet provides practice with the skill.
Virginia Department of Education
Adding and Subtracting Polynomials Using Algebra Tiles
Scholars learn how using algebra tiles to add and subtract polynomials can model how to combine polynomials. They use their newfound knowledge to complete a worksheet of problems.