Curated OER
The Great Cookie Company
Fourth graders implement real life application of money, problem solving, economics, and consumer awareness. In this three week economics unit, 4th graders operate a business, write checks, balance accounts, and market their product.
Curated OER
Geometry: Helix-a-Graph
Students use geometry to create art. In this geometric graphing and patterns instructional activity, students create a helix-a-graph by plotting points on a grid that follow a certain pattern and analyze the drawing they created.
Curated OER
King Arthur: Man or Legend
Students research the Legend of King Arthur. In this King Arthur lesson, students explore him as he is presented in stories, poems, and art. Students compare and contrast the real life of King Arthur versus the man in legends and...
Curated OER
Matching Games, Trees and Animals
Students identify and define new words as they are introduced to specific trees, leaves, animals and animal habitats, engage in literacy-related play by playing games that focus on animals and trees mentioned in book, A Tree for Me, and...
Curated OER
Got a problem? Let's Solve It!
Students understand what problem solving means and that problems can be solved in different ways. In this problem solving lesson, students discuss real life problems in groups and present their solution. Students create journal entries...
Curated OER
Poems Put to Use
Students listen to sample poetry recitations. They discuss times when poetry might be used in real-life situations to move/motivate other people or audiences. They identify particularly moving passages and then quote them effectively to...
Curated OER
Poison Play Scenarios
In this real-life scenario worksheet, students posing as campers act out six short scenarios that involve situations that campers may indeed find themselves in one day in the future.
Curated OER
Looking for Love? Not Always! Exploring Human Relationships
Students research psychology by examining real life situations. In this human relationships lesson, students discuss the importance of respect among two people in a romantic relationship. Students examine images of people in...
Curated OER
"The 1,000,000 Pound Bank Note" by Mark Twain
Compare real events from Mark Twain's life to events in the story. Middle school readers identify point-of-view, its purpose, and its reliability by citing two examples. They describe the tone of the story using four examples and...
Curated OER
Communicating with "I Messages", Part 2
Third graders listen to ways they share their feelings with others. After brainstorming situations where "I messages" would be appropriate, pairs of students write messages from the lists they developed. They discuss how their messages...
Curated OER
Studying Checks
While on-line banking and electronic payments seem to be the way of the future, next-generation wage earners still need to understand the details of check writing. Here the focus is on the details of the check including what the...
Curated OER
Bigger than Life
Middle schoolers explore courage. In this moral and character development instructional activity, students read biographical information about Jackie Robinson and identify examples of courage exemplified in his life story.
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Putting the Sitcom into Perspective
Students identify and compare similar characters and situations in stories and dramas from and about various cultures, illustrate with classroom dramatizations, and discuss how theater reflects life.
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The Real World Revisited
Class members participate in a series of hands on, online, and multimedia activities to identify the difference between primary and secondary sources. They watch a related video and visit a variety of sites to locate primary and...
Curated OER
Library Skills: Biography
Biographies deserve special attention when training youngsters how to use the library because they are alphabetized by subject rather than by author. Guide children through the process of finding biographies over a two-visit series. On...
Curated OER
Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe: What is Beautiful?
Students consider the notion of beauty and what impact the media and popular culture have on it. In this cross curricular activity, students examine print ads, write down and share their thoughts on them. Then students form literary...
Curated OER
The Cycle of Life
Eighth graders search for rites of passage in their own lives and study rites of other cultural groups in Louisiana and around the world. They assess how to recognize moments of importance in people's lives and find meaning in the stages...
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Children Cooking at Home: Developing Opinions
Excerpts from a New York Times article about children cooking dinner for their family can lead learners to express opinions about taking on real life responsibilities. The story will prompt discussion, but add more questions directed at...
Curated OER
Pocket Full of Posies: Ceramics
After studying the plant or flower life cycle, have the class create a basket of flowers out of clay. They hone their ceramics skills while they push, pull, then paint clay to look like flowers they've seen in nature. There are several...
Curated OER
The Game is Afoot - A Study of Sherlock Holmes
Mystery is an exciting genre for young readers to investigate. The plots are so intriguing! Here is a series of lessons featuring Sherlock Holmes stories that invite learners to enter the world of the mystery genre. Based on what they...
Indiana University
World Literature: "One Evening in the Rainy Season" Shi Zhecun
Did you know that modern Chinese literature “grew from the psychoanalytical theory of Sigmund Freud”? Designed for a world literature class, seniors are introduced to “One Evening in the Rainy Season,” Shi Zhecun’s stream of...
Curated OER
Writing a Character Sketch
Combining descriptive and expository writing skills, middle schoolers create a character sketch about someone they know well. They use a graphic organizer to help them discuss a model character sketch and organize/write one of their own....
Perkins School for the Blind
Telephone Skills
What kid doesn't love talking on the phone? Learners with visual and intellectual disabilities get comfortable using several types of telephones. They begin by examining the phone, dialing, answering the phone, and then they work into...
Curated OER
Fact vs. Opinion (Part II)
How can you tell the difference between fact and opinion? Using newspapers, learners determine which articles contain statements of fact, and which articles reflect the writer's opinion. The lesson plan includes a discussion format and a...