Curated OER
Dear Presidential Diary
Students discover how a president spends the day. In this presidential history activity, students research primary sources in order to write their own diaries for presidents that include suggestions of laws, managing personnel,...
Curated OER
Animal Diaries
Students read Diary of a Worm by Foreen Cronin. In this journal writing instructional activity, students research an animal and write a diary by their animal. Students apply the research they've completed in their writings. Students...
Curated OER
Pathfinders: Using Information Resources
Eighth graders gather and use information on a chosen topic for a hypothetical research paper. They use organizational features of printed text, the Internet, and other media to locate information and choose a specific topic.
Curated OER
The Grapes of Wrath: Scrapbooks and Artifacts
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary sources. In this Great Depression lesson, students read John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and use ethnographic research processes...
Curated OER
We're Going on an Animal Safari!
Students take viewers on an animal safari. In this technology activity, students research animals one would see on an African safari. Students collaborate to create a storyboard and use Flip Video Cameras to create a virtual safari. The...
Curated OER
George Washington: First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen
Learners interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this George Washington lesson plan, students research the details of Washington's military successes, his role at the Constitutional Convention, and...
Curated OER
Searching the World Wide Web for Rudy Autio
Learners research Rudy Autio. For this research lesson students maneuver through the Internet to better understand the artist Rudy Autio. They examine his background, educational experiences, art production, influences, and style.
Curated OER
Scientists Breed See-Through Frogs
Learners participate in a pre-reading activity, then read a news article about the breeding of transparent frogs. In this biology and current events lesson plan, the teacher introduces the article with a question and a vocabulary...
Curated OER
It's All Greek to Me!
While the ideas for Ancient Greek research are solid, there is little detail to help make your job easier. The focus here is familiarizing your class with online databases and print resources in their school library. After direct...
Curated OER
Making a Travel Brochure of a Louisiana Parish
Although the attachments for this travel brochure project are no longer linked, you can still use the idea here and create your own assignment sheet and rubric. Learners choose a parish in Louisiana (or a city in your state) to research,...
Curated OER
McLean Train Yard
Students conduct online research and incorporate graphics and maps into a Powerpoint presentation that details life at the McLean train yard in its heyday.
Curated OER
Pizza Biography
A biography writing lesson with a tasty twist! Kids create a "visual biography" in which each pizza slice represents a paragraph, and toppings represent supporting details. They learn research techniques, note-taking skills, and how to...
American Museum of Natural History
Draw a Monarch
Five steps walk scholars through the process of drawing a Monarch butterfly. Participants research the insect, make observations, trace, then color.
Curated OER
U.S. Geography: The South
Young geographers complete a research project. They list the physical features found in the American South. They then discuss the economy, culture, and geography found in the South. They work in groups to research one of the five...
Curated OER
How Communication Technologies Affect People
Third graders complete a worksheet, first with known information, and then with researched information. They create a PowerPoint, video, or radio broadcast to convey the results of their research. They learn to use a graphic organizer to...
National Constitution Center
Town Hall Wall: Coming to America
Everyone seems to have an opinion on the status and rights of illegal immigrants. Help secondary learners research each perspective and arrive at their own conclusions with a collaborative exercise. As they read an informative passage...
ProCon
Drinking Age
Eighteen is the age of adulthood in the United States, but 21 is the legal drinking age. Pupils use the provided website to determine whether the age to legally purchase and consume alcohol should be lowered. They weigh the pros and...
American Library Association
Creating 21st Century Superheroes
Create 21st century learners by utilizing technology and library databases. Scholars explore the concept of comic books as literature and create a superhero who could uniquely solve a 21st century global issue. Databases such as SIRS are...
Curated OER
New Words: Make a Conservation Dictionary
Gosh dictionaries are great, and your class gets to make one of their own. They look up and write down the dictionary definition to nine words related to conservation and pollution prevention. They list their words alphabetically for...
Facing History and Ourselves
Protesting Discrimination in Bristol
Using the Bristol Bus Boycott as a case study, class members examine the strategies and levels of power protesters used to effect change. The two-day instructional activity concludes with individuals reflecting on the actions they might...
Curated OER
Library Media Center Research Learning Unit for 6th, 7th, & 8th Grades
Students focus on the process of and skills necessary for researching a topic. They study the topic of immigration while practicing note taking skills, organizing information and writing conventions.
Curated OER
Maine Black Bear Research and Field Study Activity
Young scholars participate in a field study of Maine Black Bears. They first do academic research on the Maine Black Bear. Following extensive research and discussion, students go out into the field with Maine State Biologist to observe...
Curated OER
Native Americans in Utah History: Research Project
Students research the basic cultural information available on the various Native American cultures of Utah. They investigate the historical time period, shelters, weapons, tools, foods and methods of obtaining food.
Curated OER
The Big6 Skills
Seventh graders research a biome using the Big6 skills. They prepare their own notes and cite sources. They create a PowerPoint presentation to share their findings with the class.