Smithsonian Institution
In His Own Words: George Washington Quotation Timeline
Students read and analyze a series of excerpts from George Washington's letters, journal, and speeches to match quotations to the event or date in his life. They identify the author or source of the historical document or narrative. They...
Orange County Department of Education
The Lost and Found
Third graders explain the definition of integrity and respect and provide examples from the story The Lost and Found's characters and their own lives that illustrate both. They describe in their journals why and how they think Wendell...
Curated OER
Minding the Media
Learners reflect on the fairness of rating movies, television, radio, books, magazines, Web sites and other media. They submit their own entries for a media rating guide.
Curated OER
Looking at the Man in the Mirror
Students reflect on their behavior by listening to an audio tape of Michael Jackson's song, "The Man in the Mirror."
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Power House
Students reflect, speculate, identify, research, and create a blueprint for renewable energy sources.
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It's a Mad World
Students explore the various factors leading to anger, the health risks involved in anger, and the techniques people can use to cope with it. Through writing and performing scenarios that enact different causes and coping techniques of...
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War Stories
Students explore their feelings about the United States' invasion of Iraq. Using newspaper headlines and articles as a starting point, students express their emotions through creative writing.
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I Am What i Am
Learners reflect, through autobiographical writing, on events in their lives that they feel most shaped their personal identities.
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Techno Toys for Trendy Tots
Students reflect on their favorite childhood toys and assess their continued appeal. They work in pairs to redesign classic toys and create posters to represent their new models.
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Making Memories
Students write reflective essays discussing some of their most poignant holiday memories. They illustrate their writing with original artwork and photographs to contribute to a class-designed holiday memory book.
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The Great Chicago Fire Survivors
Students examine documents describing the experiences of survivors of the Great Chicago Fire, and write condolence letters.
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Art Criticism for Elementary
Students view various pieces of art and identify their basic elements. Using the art, they present the elements to the class in a presentation. They answer questions and organize them into written form. They also write and reflect on...
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The Power of the Pen
Learners discuss the personal and historical significance of journals, analyze the issues raised in a N.Y. Times article regarding Anne Frank's diary, and evaluate a Letter to the Editor written in response to the article.
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Magnetic Bookmarks
Students design magnetic bookmarks with healthy living messages. They decide on the shape, length, color, and type of material to use for creating their bookmark. Students write in an "inventor's journal" about their design and...
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Ceramics: A Vessel Into History
Students review a previous ceramics lesson and journal about a personal clay vessel they will create. In this ceramics lesson, students recognize various ceramic forms created in different time periods and cultures and how ceramic...
Curated OER
Sharing Beauty Through Song
Young scholars perform a song for their school community. In this music lesson, students sing the philanthropic song See Me Beautiful by Red Grammar and reflect upon the lyrics. Young scholars perform the song for their school community.
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No Choice!
Young scholars explore the concept of democratic freedom. In this service learning lesson, students investigate the freedom the Pilgrims sought as they moved from England and write a journal from their point of view.
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Caring and Self-Interest
Students write in their journal. In this philanthropy instructional activity, students review the definition of philanthropy and read a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Students respond to the question "What are you doing for...
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Global Eyes
Twelfth graders consider global issues and their effects. They identify the themes of human needs, human rights, and the environment, select a topic and research articles for a Global Current Events Portfolio. Working in small groups,...
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By the People for the People
Students explore, using discussion, writing, and data collection, how different social factors affect civic participation and equality across the country and in their own school community.
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Capturing the Moment
Learners create photography timelines of the Civil Rights movement and write journal entries reflecting on the capacity of photographs to evoke personal and collective historical memory.
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No New Workers Need Apply
Students explore older people's perspectives on work and retirement by creating charts to reflect statistical trends and formulate interview questions. They write follow-up articles that record and comment on the attitudes of their...
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You Are What You Read
Sixth graders select a prose, poetry, or nonfiction excerpt from a book of their choice and share it by reading aloud to their classmates, who identify the genre and respond to related questions in their journals.
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Angels of Generosity
Students write a generosity journal which chronicals acts of kindness after reading the Surat story, Angel Child, Dragon Child.