Maryland Department of Education
The Concept of Identity Lesson 2: The Historical/Biographical Approach
"How does our environment shape our identity?" After researching biographical information about John Knowles and considering how these experiences are reflected in A Separate Peace, class members consider the strengths and weaknesses of...
Reed Novel Studies
Hatchet: Novel Study
Thanks to Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, teen readers now know it's possible to survive in the wilderness. A study guide for the novel discusses common topics and vocabulary words found within the text. Additionally, readers get the chance to...
Novelinks
Wildwood Dancing: Rewriting a Fairytale
After completing Juliet Marillier's young adult novel Wildwood Dancing, class members rewrite a traditional fairy tale, making three significant changes to illustrate a theme of their choosing.
Teaching for Change
A Documents-Based Lesson on the Voting Rights Act
How did the Voting Rights Act affect the daily lives of American citizens? A document-based lesson developed by the Student Non-Violent Coordinating committee (SNCC) presents a case study of the impact of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 on...
Curated OER
Olympics (Grade 4)
Young scholars research information about the current Olympic research. In this Olympic research lesson, students take a pre-test to determine their knowledge about the current Summer Olympics. They choose one of three areas to research...
Curated OER
The Grapes of Math
Students "think" through mathematical problem solving and provide solutions using a variety of strategies after listening to Greg Tang's book, The Grapes of Math.
Curated OER
Everything Grows
First graders read about the growth of living things. In this similiarities and differences lesson, 1st graders list things that are similiar and different about growing plants. Students then use a graphic organizer to list the...
Curated OER
School Newspaper
Fifth graders run a school newspaper on a school website and discover how to use various literary forms as they relate to the writing process. In this school newspaper lesson, 5th graders synthesize information from different sources,...
Curated OER
Readers Theatre: The Three Snow Bears
Students dramatize the story, Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett. In this readers theatre instructional activity, students read the story and then dramatize the events during readers theatre. There is an included script.
Curated OER
Successful Interviewing
After performing a variety of pre-activities, students will complete steps that lead to a successful interview. Activities will include preparation for the interview, marketing oneself, follow-up and assessment. The students will...
Curated OER
Genre Study - Grade Three
Third graders learn to identify different types of literature genres. In this genre activity, 3rd graders complete pre and post- assessment, conduct a genre research activity, and complete the associated worksheets.
Curated OER
Introduction to Visualization
Fourth graders listen to The Bear's Toothache and illustrate the story in their minds. In this visualization lesson, 4th graders draw pictures of what they hear in a read aloud. Students discuss their pictures and compare and contrast...
Curated OER
Can You Afford to Retire?
Students participate in a game in which one group acts as the company and the other group acts as the employees. They examine what happens when the company files for bankruptcy. They discover labor strategies as well.
Curated OER
Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs
Second graders explore weather. In this weather lesson, 2nd graders read Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs and participate in four supplemental science activities. Students participate in Internet research, create weather maps,...
Curated OER
Novel Creation
Learners create an alternate ending with digital animations to illustrate their text. In this novel creation activity, students read a novel and analyze the plot in small groups. Learners collaborate on an alternate ending and create a...
Curated OER
World Without Oil
Students discover the world of fossil fuels and oil shortages. In this world economy lesson, students read articles on the Internet discussing the world's dependence on oil and the possibility of an extended oil shortage. Students...
Curated OER
Building Classroom Community
Students practice critical-observation and pre-writing skills as they recognize and embrace diversity. They discover how even though all people share some traits, we are also unique and name some physical traits that we all have in...
Curated OER
Holes-Outdoor Adventure Camp
Students read the book and watch the movie, Holes. They create a brochure (containing specific information) that advertises Camp Green Lake as a newly refurbished outdoor adventure camp. They display the brochures for the rest of the...
Curated OER
How Women Got the Vote: The Story of Carrie Lane Chapman Catt
Students participate in a simulation and compare and contrast the arguments for and against womens' right to vote. In this civil rights lesson, students simulate disenfranchisement of women by allowing only half of the class to vote on a...
Curated OER
Creating a Universally Designed Lesson Plan
Students investigate plant cells. In this multiple intelligences lesson, students engage in a variety of activities to foster an understanding of plant cells and how they work. Students read, write, observe, and role-play parts and...
Curated OER
Tattercoats
Students read the English folktale, "Tattercoats," identify basic literary terms, and respond to writing prompts. They compare and contrast with another Cinderella story version and create a graphic response to the story.
Curated OER
The Politics of Gender in The House on Mango Street
Young scholars read and discuss the book, The House On Mango Street. They debate the concept of marriage, discuss the characters, and analyze key concepts of the book.
Curated OER
The Twelve Months: A Slavic Cinderella Variant
Learners locate Slavic countries and identify a few characteristics of those countries. They read and/or listen to the Slavic tale, "The Twelve Months," and compare this version with another Cinderella story.
Curated OER
Jalapeno Bagels
Pupils read the story Jalapeno Bagels and then write a summary about it. In this summary lesson plan, students retell the story as if someone else has not read the story.