Curated OER
Pictures of the Past: I Remember When...
Students, after discussing and analyzing the value of reminiscence for people of all ages, write a reminiscence essay on their own lives and then create a story form the perspective of an older person.
University of New Mexico
New Mexico Land of Enchantment
Third graders research Native American Cultures surrounding New Mexico. They analyze the history and geography of the state. They play a guessing game that incorporates the indigenous plants and animals of New Mexico. In groups, learners...
Curated OER
Who Gives a Hoot?
Learners look at owl migration and its impact on the environment and the food chain after reading an article from The New York Times. Students then apply this information to and research different food chain situations for other species...
Curated OER
DNA-B-C's
Young scholars review what they already know about DNA. After reading an article, they discover a new technique to map the course of evolution. In groups, they create ways to present this material to younger children and research DNA's...
Curated OER
Navigating the Straits
Young scholars research the players and events that have influenced U.S.-China relations since World War II, with specific emphasis on the two countries' relationships with Taiwan. They write a briefing paper, advising the president on...
Curated OER
Night of the Notables
Students read several biographies of famous Americans and discuss the characteristics of a biography. Students collect biographical information on another person in the class and write a biography. Students research and create a...
Curated OER
Newsworthy Journey
Students conduct Internet research about ancient civilizations to produce a newspaper that reflecting the cultural, political, economic and religious views of the ancient civilizations of Egypt or Mexico.
Curated OER
Everything You Do Makes a Difference
Students choose a current environmental issue and research historical conditions as well as present conditions. They assess
the changes in ecosystems, populations of specific species, air quality, or any other aspect of an ecosystem.
National First Ladies' Library
The Power of Images in Shaping Ideas
Learners examine the role of photography in recording and sharing history. They view online photos that Life magazine has identified as changing the world, then conduct research on one of the photos. Learners create and present an oral...
Curated OER
U.S. Geography: The Midwest
Students research agricultural products of the Midwest. In this Midwest lesson, students watch a video about the geography of the Midwest, discuss how topographical features were formed and review the agricultural products the Midwest...
Curated OER
JFK, LBJ, and the Fight for Equal Opportunity in the 1960s
Students examine the presidencies and John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. In this American history instructional activity, students specifically analyze the civil rights support of the 2 presidents and their support of civil rights...
Curated OER
The Immigration Experience
Students research the reasons people immigrated to the United States. In this United States history lesson plan, students explore the causes and effects of immigrating. Students engage in a role-playing scenario , watch a video, and...
Curated OER
Botanical Discoveries
Sixth graders examine the Lewis and Clark Expedition. For this plant discovery lesson, 6th graders put in chronological order the plant discoveries of Lewis and Clark. Students understand the characteristics of leaves and find the area...
Curated OER
Classroom Planetarium
Students work in groups to create the planets of the solar system. In this planets lesson, students create a hanging solar system taking into account the size, shape and position of the planets. Students discuss the gravity on each...
Curated OER
Stamp of Courage
Students discuss the attributes that a hero can have and what it takes to be a Distinguished American, and be commemorated on a stamp. In this courage instructional activity, students research an everyday hero that they know about and...
Curated OER
Biospheres in Your Backyard
Students collect data from a local river biome. They use the information for metric conversion and graphing equations. They study the components of what makes up a biosphere and how math is used to analyze one.
Curated OER
The Greenhouse Effect
Eighth graders research the Greenhouse Effect on the Internet. They use a variety of sources and take notes on the topic. They use ClarisWorks to type a report, use spellcheck, proof and edit. They can create a class bulletin board.
Curated OER
A Walk Through the 20th Century
Students use primary and secondary sources to study the literature, historical events, people, technology, medicine, government, entertainment and culture of the decades of the twentieth century.
Curated OER
Science Working in Business and Industry
Students examine the science applications found in business and industry. In this research lesson, students obtain annual reports from major businesses or industries to compare and contrast the science applications found in these companies.
Curated OER
An Introduction to the National Archives
Fifth graders study the national archives through both images AND visiting the site. This is meant to provide them with an understanding of what documents are important to the U.S. and why (i.e. Declaration of Independence, etc...).
Curated OER
Scarecrow: A Lesson Against Hate Crimes
High schoolers analyze and discuss different types of hate crimes. They listen to and discuss the background behind the song, "Scarecrow" by Melissa Etheridge. They research a hate crime and imagine how the victims must have felt....
Curated OER
Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-In The Small Small Pond
Students read In The Small Small Pond by Denise Fleming. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study of the pond ecosystem. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library...
Curated OER
Dewey Decimal System -- Cataloging Collections
Students put their cataloging skills into practice. In this research lesson students examine the listed websites that feature Dewey Decimal classification. Students then collaborate to use the Dewey Decimal classification system to...
Curated OER
Celebrations of the Pacific Rim
Students research a celebration belonging to a Pacific Rim culture. They prepare a written and oral report with their findings and present such information as how the celebration has changed over time, its origins and the significance of...