Curated OER
Modern Minstrelsy: Exploring Racist Stereotypes in Literature and Life
Satires may be designed to expose a bias to ridicule but if misunderstood can they reinforce that bias? Langston Hughes poem, “Minstrel Man” opens a discussion of racist stereotypes, the minstrel tradition, and the musical, “The...
The New York Times
Big Brother vs. Little Brother: Updating Orwell's 1984
Government surveillance is an enduring conflict that has become increasingly complex with our nation's use of technology. Add to the understanding of Orwell’s 1984 by using the resources here that display the contemporary actions of Big...
The New York Times
Fiction or Nonfiction? Considering the Common Core's Emphasis on Informational Text
Nothing aids in comprehension more than an explanation and understanding of why things are done. Address why the Common Core requires the reading percentages that it established and analyze how this affects your readers. Learners read...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
European Explorers
To compare how the Spanish, French, and English approached the exploration of North America, class groups examine primary source documents and become experts on one of four explorers: Francisco Coronado, Robert LaSalle, Samuel de...
Curated OER
Intimidation of a Nation
Learners discuss their understanding of "intimidation." In groups, they analyze and discuss recent terrorist threats to the scheduled democratic elections in Iraq, and then reflect on whether they believe the elections should continue as...
Curated OER
The Secret is Out
Students explore ideas about journalism ethics as they relate to Watergate and discuss various issues related to an anonymous source being revealed. They write letters to the public editor of The NY Times about credibility and anonymous...
Curated OER
TOXIC TECHNOLOGY
Students examine what they already know about computer recycling and cconsider how computer recycling is contributing to a global toxic waste problem by reading and discussing the article, ""Poor Nations are Littered With Old PC's,...
Curated OER
How to Teach Dolch Words with Kid Pix
Students use KidPix computer program to learn Dolch sight words. In this technology and language lesson, students type their Dolch sight words into KidPix to create a quasi-sentence.
Curated OER
Lessons in Learning
Students share their opinions about public education by responding to one-question interviews. After reading an article, they discover new recommendations for the No Child Left Behind Act. They prepare a three-part reader response to...
Curated OER
Playing to Learn
Students brainstorm about video games that are designed to teach. They create and perform in small groups a live action "video game" that teaches a concept covered in class this school year.
Curated OER
Searching Near and Far Learning
Students explore locating information on the Web. In groups, students research a variety of topics to determine the effectiveness of various search engines. Students write a review of their team's search engine.
Curated OER
Another Trip to the Nurse's Office
Students consider the role of the nurse at their school. Using Internet resources and archived articles, they gather information regarding relevant health topics. Students use their information to create pamphlets on health topics...
Curated OER
A Guide (on the Side) to Physics
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concepts related to the study of Physics. They participate in class discussion and list common misconceptions of Physics. Students write and discuss the problem of Science illiteracy.
Curated OER
The Drill on the Spill: Learning About the Gulf Oil Leak in the Lab
Learners research the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and complete experiments to study the effects of oil spills. For this oil spill lesson, students read the NY Times feature on the gulf oil spill. Learners visit various links to research the...
Curated OER
From Printed Page to Home Page
Students compare on-line newspapers to their print counterparts
Curated OER
Links to the Missing
Students investigate the information required to identified missing persons, then create a personal 'database' of information on themselves and their community.
Curated OER
A Year to Remember
Students reflect on the events, people and attitudes of 2001 and create posters focusing on political, economic and social topics of the past year. They look ahead to what they hope the next year bring.
Curated OER
The Right to Know
Students discuss their knowledge of the position of National Security Advisor. They read and discuss a newspaper article about national security and intelligence as it relates to terrorism and the public's right to know.
Curated OER
Birds of a Feather Flock to the Web
Students define the term "evolution" and relate it to species adaptation, supporting their ideas with examples. They locate, correctly cite, and briefly review two Web sites with information on finches commonly found in their state or count
Curated OER
The Only Thing We Have To Fear...
Students explore the appeal of fear in today's society and beliefs about the paranormal, specifically ghosts. They create a survey to be distributed throughout the school regarding beliefs in ghosts and other supernatural beings and forces.
Curated OER
Tooning In to Morals
Students discuss cartoons and the moral lessons they can teach. They imagine and draw a cartoon figure who could impart a lesson of some kind to younger Students.
Curated OER
A Burning Desire to Move?
Students consider the dangers of living around active volcanoes. They develop media campaigns to encourage different groups of residents around Mount Vesuvius to consider moving.
Curated OER
Moonwalking to Mars?
Students examine a quote from George W. Bush's recent speech on space exploration. They evaluate one writer's stance on Bush's space exploration goals by reading and discussing "Plea to Policy Makers: Let's Take Another Giant Step." In...
Curated OER
Making Up is Hard to Do
Students examine the art of makeup. Students work in pairs to create a costume and make-up that will evoke a chosen literary character. They perform a short scene for the class, revealing the character's unique qualities.