National First Ladies' Library
Anarchists
High schoolers identify and gain an understanding of the politics behind the killing of President McKinley, as well as the anarchist movements that continue to exist worldwide. Then they select a form of anarchy and write a short story...
Curated OER
Painted Dreams
Third graders explore the importance of art in Haitian culture by analyzing the cause and effect within the story, "Allie's Basketball Dream." They examine all the aspects of the story and characters including their goals, dreams,...
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Write a Song About American History
Young scholars explore the historic background of the song, The Battle of New Orleans. Working in pairs, students research other historic events and write their own songs based on them.
SMART Project
Shop with Us at Whelan School
Third graders use their math and research skills to create and manage a classroom/school store. They use a computer to manage, organize and access information. They practice pricing products, computing sales, counting money and...
Curated OER
Comparing Composers: Beethoven and Mozart
Learners read brief biographies of Mozart and Beethoven and identify the composer identified in each of 15 statements on the student work sheet.
Curated OER
Elvis Fanatic in Jail
Students read, analyze and critique a newspaper article about an Elvis fan who stole from her employer to buy Elvis memorabilia. They assess how to understand a short news report and discuss the use of present perfect tense in the article.
Curated OER
The Coral Reef
Fourth graders discuss life in a coral reef, and view photographs and a computer program about coral reefs. They design and create colorful watercolor, ink, and crayon drawings of coral reefs.
Curated OER
Be on the Lookout!
Students create "Wanted" posters for destructive bugs. They practice research skills as they learn about the characteristics, diets, habitats, and habits of a variety of bugs.
Curated OER
Value: Love, Topic: Friendship
Sixth graders participate in a skit, "Henry Gets it Right." They discuss the skit and qualities of a friend. They discuss an example of a wild animal taking care of animals of a different species. They consider the behavior versus the...
Curated OER
Empathy/Fairness
Students explore empathy and fairness. They examine the importance of being able to empathize with people who are different from themselves. Students explore ways of resolving conflict and they recognize the concerns of others.
Curated OER
Assertiveness/Self-Confidence
Students explore the concepts of assertiveness and self-confidence. They observe that is is all right to say no. Students discuss what it means to be assertive and how it takes inner strength and self-confidence to be assertive. They...
Curated OER
Disco - Voices of a New Generation
Students analyze lyrics of selected Disco songs for content, theme and vocabulary. They write an extended response citing specific lyrics in response to three general themes.
Curated OER
Continent Adventure
Students review or learn information regarding the 7 continents on our planet. It is also a fun movement and fitness activity.
Curated OER
The Star Spangled Banner
Students perform Star Spangled Banner, and analyze purpose and meaning of patriotic songs.
Curated OER
Waste Minimization and Protecting the Environment
Students study the amount of waste produced and its effects on the environment. They discuss food, money, and energy and how their waste effects others. They read a play to explore how waste is produced and create a collage of...
Curated OER
Hidden Hibernators
Learners review the concept of hibernation and the animals that sleep during all or part of the winter. They complete the Hibernation Word Search Puzzle to name 16 animals that hibernate during the winter months.
National First Ladies' Library
Stories from the Thousand and One Nights
Young scholars hold a Thousand and One Nights storytelling festival with each one memorizing a story to relate to classmates. While examining provided resource links, they select and practice a story they would like to retell. As a dress...
Curated OER
Word Family Arrows
Young scholars identify correct word families. In this word families educational game, students practice matching words to the correct word family.
Curated OER
Compound Word Heart Match
Students participate in a matching word parts activity. In this heart activity, students match two sides of a heart to make a compound word. Students match the word the teacher puts on the board. Students complete a matching...
Curated OER
Terrorism and General Information about September 11, 2001
Students view a variety of pictures from September 11, 2001 either online or a slideshow. They discuss how the pictures make them feel and then complete a KWL chart highlighting what they already know about 9/11, and what they would like...
Curated OER
Vamos al Cine
Learners research movies originally made in Spanish. Using the Internet, they complete a worksheet with questions in Spanish. They focus on movies in Spain or Mexico and discuss their findings. They watch appropriate films in Spanish as...
Curated OER
Religion and Fundamentalism
Students study the differences and similarities between Islam, Christianity, and Judaism using a handout containing a diagram. They determine what fundamentalism is and how it is different from the original intentions of different...
Curated OER
To Be Or Not To Be a State? That Is the Question
Eighth graders research Puerto Rico's culture, religion, language, government, etc. and identify differences and similarities with the United States. They participate in a debate about whether or not Puerto Rico should become a state.
Curated OER
The Value Of Curiousity
Students investigate the concept of curiosity. They use a story to create a context for the study. Students call upon the word illustrations for material to connect the concept of healthy curiosity that can be practiced. Then students...