Curated OER
The Hamsterdance
It's unbelievable that there really is a dance that goes with a song called "The Hamsterdance!" This is not a lesson plan per se, but rather steps to the dance. They include head bobs, slide steps, thigh slaps, and clapping. Short dances...
Curated OER
Landforms of Illinois
Fifth and sixth graders are introduced to the primary landforms of Illinois and discover how they were created. Landform cards are made for each pupil. They use the twenty-questions format until they have identified each one. Then,...
Curated OER
Immigration and Ancestors
We are all immigrants to this country and the study of immigration can help students connect to history in a personal way. Students will listen to audio clips from the Ellis Island web site, discuss the treatment of immigrants in the...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Democracy Wall
How free are people in the United States, or in the world for that matter? The class reads and compares two articles that discuss levels of freedom enjoyed by different people around the globe. They discuss why some people have more...
Brooklyn Museum
"Workt by Hand": Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts
Just like a painting or the symbols on a flag, quilts can express ideas that reflect a cultural context, space, and time. The class discusses the history of quilt making throughout US history and what different types of quilts mean. They...
Curated OER
Spark Activity: Basic Body Positions
Students practice basic body positions by moving to music using a locomotive skill called out by the teacher. Students move to a new spot when the music stops, and continue the game as new movements are called. Students discuss body...
Curated OER
Create Your Perfect Dog!
Students create the perfect dog. They read and discuss Clifford's Sports Day and identify Clifford's personality traits. After listening to the story, they discuss their concept of a perfect dog with their families and draw pictures of...
Curated OER
Community Explorations
Learners identify the strengths and weakness in their community. They take a community walk and take pictures of people interacting with the environment and the "green spaces" in their community. They then write a persuasive essay...
Curated OER
3-Catch Basketball
Students complete a 3-catch basketball activity to improve their basketball skills. In this basketball skills instructional activity, students participate in a 3-catch basketball activity with defense.
Curated OER
Creating an Autobiography
Students create technology based portfolios for others to use as a pattern for assessment. They make a "Personal Autobiography Page" to start the portfolio.
Curated OER
Feeling Flashbacks
Students investigate feelings with their class. For this feelings lesson, students mingle with their class and share a specific personal feeling with a random student. Students record their experience in their journal.
Curated OER
Class and Health: You Are What You Eat
Students determine a working definition of class in order to determine how social class can affect personal health. They research their own nutritional needs and work to encourage healthy change in their communities.
Curated OER
Design a Quilt
Students quilt to create a personal design. In this quilting instructional activity, students follow the steps listed in order to patchwork quilt that represents themselves in art.
Curated OER
Using Bean Bags
Here is useful lesson plan which demonstrates how bean bags can be used to develop manipulative skills. Young learners gain awareness of their bodies by taking part in this exercise. They also respond to a whistle, and focus on following...
Curated OER
Team Sports Activity
Young scholars discover team work by participating in sports activities with classmates. In this physical education lesson, students compete in different activities in small groups. Young scholars discuss ways to increase their level...
Curated OER
Pump It Up With Paper Plates!
Students use a paper plate for a variety of P.E. activities. They can use the paper plates for an aerobics routine at home.
Curated OER
Creative Cubbies
Students get comfortable in the classroom. In this early childhood visual arts lesson plan, students engage in an art activity that encourages individuality and creativity using a variety of art materials to decorate their cubbies.
Curated OER
Transformation
Students discover visual arts by participating in a sculpting activity. In this artistic expression lesson, students examine some of the more famous sculptures in world history by utilizing the Internet. Students utilize clay, paper...
Mr Gym
Tunnel Tag
Tunnel tag requires players to form some kind of tunnel when they are tagged. In order to become unfrozen from being tagged, another player has to go through the tunnel they formed. There are several examples of tunnels that a player can...
Curated OER
Ask Me What's Great About America
Learners pretend to be citizens of a new space colony and have been elected to the Intergalactic Senate to consider adding a Bill of Rights to the Constitution. They break into groups and discuss what seems unfair and fair about the...
Curated OER
Interplanetary Travel Guide
In groups of six, middle school space scientists create an imaginative travel brochure for attracting visitors to the planet Mars. Information must include surface features and atmospheric conditions. Although time-consuming, this is a...
Curated OER
Basic Ideas of Inheritance
Students enter personal information into a database. The information is used to reinforce the ideas of inheritance that is found in 1st Grade Science. Access to technology is essential for this lesson. Adding the use of a mirror for...
Curated OER
Rates of Puberty Change
Eighth graders investigate the reasons for why individuals go through puberty at different times and rates. They conduct a personal worth role play to encourage diversity and self-acceptance. Group discussion is used for scaffolding the...
Curated OER
Math Series: Number Patterns
The focus of this math lesson is representing numbers in different ways. Young mathematicians practice putting numbers into sets, and arriving at answers in new ways. For example, they are asked to, "Show me how to get 7 eyes." A...