Curated OER
The Keeping Quilt
Students discover story analysis by discussing a book the class reads together. In this reading comprehension activity, students read the book The Keeping Quilt and discuss the different characters and plot points among the class. ...
Curated OER
THE FLIGHT PLATFORM
Students examine forces that effect flight. In this flight instructional activity students answer questions that are asked of them and the ones that they ask themselves.
Curated OER
A Snapshot in Time
Students state the main ideas of the article. They create questions to clarify the meaning of the article and to help explain the ideas. Students cite words or phrases that reveal a bias the author may have.
Curated OER
Magic Mirror Box
Students observe a plywood box with mirrors. In this mirror and light lesson, students make informal, individual investigations with a plywood box that has been fitted with mirror squares. They use observation skills and investigate...
Curated OER
A Weekend with Wendell
Students discuss the term prediction. In this language arts lesson, students predict what will happen next by using the turn & talk strategy. Students chart the predictions each one makes.
Curated OER
Consumer Culture in the 1950s: New Shopping Centers and Advertising trends
Eleventh graders analyze the cultural and social aspects of the 1950s. Using primary source documents, they work together to determine what society was like. They use that information to write an essay about how their information...
Curated OER
Using West African Gold Weights and African Masks as a Way of Communication
Eighth graders discuss how communication, or lack thereof, can have either a favorable or detrimental effect on a community. They study and interpret proverbs as a means of teaching a lesson. Finally they discuss symbolism and design a...
Curated OER
Diverse Voices-African American Ventures
Students research African-American participation in the Civil War. For this Civil War lesson, students read the article "Fighting Rebels with Only One Hand" and write a persuasive paragraph on whether the participation of the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
John Steinbeck’s "The Grapes of Wrath": The Inner Chapters
Here’s a must-have resource for anyone using The Grapes of Wrath. Everything from guiding questions to background information, from photographs to documentary films, from activities to assessments is included in a richly detailed packet...
Federal Reserve Bank
Barbie in the Labor Force
How have the women's share of the labor force and chosen occupations evolved in the United States over the last century? Using census reports, graphs detailing the gender makeup of the labor force, and analysis of the careers of Barbie...
Los Angeles Unified School District
Capitalism and Socialism
Capitalism, socialism, communism ... these may seem like a whole bunch of isms to your scholars. High schoolers won't confuse them after completing an informative resource. Your class masters how to use primary sources to critically...
Curated OER
Chunking Huck Finn
Read a designated chapter of the novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and discuss the chapter summary in small groups. Groups present their summaries and answer questions specific to their chapter.
Curated OER
The President's Roles and Responsibilities: Understanding the President's Job
Young scholars examine the roles and responsibilites of the president of the U.S. They identify and discuss the three branches of U.S. government, view and discuss a White House Photo essay online, and create a class book entitled, 'If I...
Curated OER
Political Cartoons: Thinking Broadly, Communicating Succinctly
High schoolers think broadly about the tsunami disaster and its aftermath through studying cartoons. Students critically think about the literary devices the authors/artists use, such as satire, metaphor and personification.
Curated OER
Create Your Own Constitution
Eighth graders explore the processes, purpose and components of a good and just constitution. They focus on the Constitution of the United States of America. Students discuss the purpose of a constitution and reasons why the Constitution...
Curated OER
Pine Barrens
Tenth graders study environmental values vs. economic development. In this environmental decisions instructional activity students role play in a policy making setting.
Curated OER
American Literature: An Oblique Introduction
Eleventh graders research journals and periodicals of different accounts of Columbus and Latin America. They examine indigenous civilizations and design their own curriculum based on the information they have gathered.
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Determining Point of View
Students examine web sites to determine point of view and bias in information sources. They determine the usefulness of information based on these biases or limitations.
Curated OER
Faces of the Bench
Learners use primary source documents to gather information on justices in the Michigan Supreme Court. They write about the thoughts and experiences of the author. They identify and describe each justice briefly.
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Practicing Literary Analysis
Ninth graders analyze the poem, "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." They read, discuss, and critique the poem in small groups focusing on plot and figurative language. They compose a short essay explaining how various literary elements...
Curated OER
Why Were the Japanese Interned During World War II?
Seventh graders analyze sources to determine why Japanese-Americans were placed in internment camps during World War II. They discuss the fact that individual rights are sometimes taken by institutions because of fear and paranoia. They...
Curated OER
A Poet's New Post
Students investigate the genre of poetry and focus upon its purpose while participating in class discussion. They read about the life and writings of Charles Simic and use it for the context of creating poetry that is similar in style.
Curated OER
Funny Money
Students are rewarded for attendance. For this school-wide rewards lesson, students earn "dollars" for attendance and being in class on time. Students use those dollars to bid on everyday items of their choice.
Curated OER
Communication In U.S. Society; Radio In America
Students see how radio began the modern consumer society, shaped societal views on peoples and cultures and changed family home life forever. Radio shrank the world by bringing far-away places, events, and individuals into peoples living...