Curated OER
Growth and Change as it Occurs in Plants and Flowers
Students work together to observe plants and flowers through their life cycle. In groups, they make predictions and record changes in a journal. Using this information, they create their own original artwork and discuss the plants life...
Curated OER
Posters -- What's the Main Idea?
Students discuss the basics of poster productions. In groups, they follow written directions to make a poster about asthma, allergies, AIDS, or personal safety. They present their poster to the class and reflect on the process in a journal.
Curated OER
The Meaning of Dreams
Students reflect on the meaning of dreams and how scientists study dreams. They read and discuss the article "Winding Through Big Dreams Are the Threads of Our Lives." They write personal summaries and analysis of memorable, vivid dreams.
Curated OER
Shifting Wins
Students analyze how the outcome of the 2002 midterm elections changed the balance of power in the government. They write a news analysis and evaluation of how the nation be governed in the future.
Curated OER
Inspection Gadgets
Students examine the weapons used in past wars to prepare for a mock weapons inspection, then write a report detailing the state of weapons technology during a specific time period.
Curated OER
A Year to Remember
Students reflect on the events, people and attitudes of 2001 and create posters focusing on political, economic and social topics of the past year. They look ahead to what they hope the next year bring.
Curated OER
The Fight for Human Rights
Students explore the concept of human rights by developing and defending their own 'Bills of Human Rights' and by writing a reflective essay that compares their notions of human rights and the protection of them.
Curated OER
Spanish-American War
Middle schoolers view a video called Battling Beyond the Borders about the Spanish-American War. They discuss the role of newspapers in the war and then analyze political cartoons of the time, writing explanatory sentences about them.
Curated OER
Soldiers' Stories
Pupils share opinions about the conditions under which they might risk their lives for a cause. They write letters from the perspective of soldiers and family members during a tour of duty.
Curated OER
Living the Dream?
Students consider the stories of two immigrants and translate their past, present and future into original pieces of writing or artwork.
Curated OER
Playing it Safe
Young scholars explore the importance of an election and act as political advisers for an upcoming election. Students create platforms for various candidates, by writing a letter to their candidate with suggestions for winning the election.
Curated OER
Unplugged
Students read the article "Power From the People Breaks the Hold of Batteries and Plugs." Students work in groups to examine various sources of power. Students debate the advantages and disadvantages of each power source. They assume the...
Curated OER
Pictures of the Past
Students explore how women's roles in society have changed over time. They create a personal timeline using photographs and pertinent dates and complete a reflection paper sharing their views on the roles of women in society past and...
Curated OER
Animal Explorations
Students discover compassion for animals. In this animal lesson, students go to a local animal welfare organization and help out. They reflect on compassion and how to make changes in the lives of animals.
Curated OER
An Introduction to the Season for Nonviolence
Fourth graders create a Venn diagram and a cause and effect graphic organizer on Gandhi and King. In this non violence lesson plan, 4th graders compare the two non violent leaders and discuss and articulate non violent protests and write...
Curated OER
If You Can’t Stand the Heat
Students design and build their own solar cooker. In this math lesson, students determine the relationship between the angles of the sun, reflection and cooking time of the solar cooker. They test their project, collect data and analyze...
Curated OER
A Faith of Their Own
Students examine various topics related to womens' roles in Syria's Islamic revival. After reading and discussing an article on the subject, they participate in a fishbowl discussion and write an essay about traditions in their own lives.
Curated OER
Dwellings Around the Globe
Students explore dwellings around the globe and conduct collaborative research on cliff dwellings, igloos, longhouses, and yurts. They then explore how different dwellings reflect environmental and cultural conditions, and they create a...
Curated OER
Making a Difference
Students create a plan to better their school. In this civil service lesson, students will deepen their understanding of the term "philanthropy" by reflecting on Martin Luther King, Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech and a quote by John F....
Curated OER
Top Ten List
By writing a list of "The Top Ten Ways to Lose a Best Friend", students explore the true meaning of friendship by defining "how not to be a friend".
Curated OER
Irish Literature Scavenger Hunt
Fourth graders locate and evaluate various books, journals, anthologies, and Internet sources that contain information that may be used in answering the scavenger hunt questions related to Ireland and Irish literature.
Curated OER
Smallville Prairie Development Project
Students research the characteristics of the prairie habitat focusing on scientific, social/historical and aesthetic values. They investigate how humans impact the prairie habitat while maintaining a daily journal of research and...
Orange County Department of Education
Dear Mr. Henshaw
Fifth graders read Dear Mr. Henshaw and identify the character trait of self-respect as exhibited by Leigh throughout the story. They evaluate the author's use of letters to tell the story and discuss how the story would be different if...
Curated OER
Renewable vs. Non-Renewable Resources
Fifth graders, after brainstorming why conservation of resources is important, distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources. They make a list of different types of natural resources on the board and then sort them into two...