University of Pennsylvania
From the Dreyfus Affair to the World Today
Historical events do not occur in a vacuum. Such is the case of the Dreyfus Affair, where the connection between Captain Alfred Dreyfus, Emile Zola, and Hannah Arendt is fused by the events of the early 20th century. The informative...
Curated OER
The Canadian Ribbon of Steel
Students research the building of the Canadian Railroad and discuss the impact it has on Canada today.
Chicago Botanic Garden
Faces of Climate Change
Sometimes, the best solution to a problem can be found by walking in someone else's shoes. Here, scholars use character cards to take on the roles of people around the world. They determine how their character's life affects our...
Curated OER
Rediscovering Forgotten Women Writers
Women's voices are becoming more prominent in the world of literature, but for centuries, this wasn't the case. Young historians research a woman whose writings are considered to be lost, out of print, or forgotten. They develop an oral...
Polar Trec
Drawing Diatoms like Ernst Haeckel
Why do scientists rely on drawings rather than just photographs of their research studies? The lesson plan introduces drawings of microscopic organisms and the importance of accuracy. Young artists draw organisms and learn why focus and...
Curated OER
Immigration History Firsthand
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this immigration instructional activity, students conduct research regarding Ellis Island and the American immigrant...
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Animal Diaries
Learners read Diary of a Worm by Foreen Cronin. In this journal writing lesson, students research an animal and write a diary by their animal. Learners apply the research they've completed in their writings. Students share their diaries....
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Philanthropy in History
Students understand the importance of books in past and present societies. In this philanthropic lesson, students compare Andrew Carnegie and Benjamin Franklin's perspective on the importance of everyone being able to read. Students...
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Raising the Titanic
Ninth graders research the history of a person who was aboard the Titanic and write about the part he/she played in the world's greatest maritime disaster.
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French Canadian Immigrants in New England
Middle schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this immigration lesson plan, students conduct research related to the movement of French Canadians to England. Middle...
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Europe on the Internet
Students conduct Internet research on a selected city or country in Europe. They launch a search engine, explore various websites, write down basic facts about their country on a worksheet, and create a travel brochure.
Curated OER
Research Paper Activity for a Webpage
Eighth graders research a topic (given to them in class) either online or in a library. With the information found through research, the students must write a 1 page paper. This activity is precursor to a 3 day unit on how to make...
Curated OER
Research Report on Earth Science Topics
Sixth graders are given a variety of Earth Science topics which be covered during the year. They select one of their choices to research and work in class and at home to meet the guidelines for their report.
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Use the New Internet Library for Adult Learners
Adult learners, examine the Internet to answer life skills, use an online dictionary, evaluate web sites and fill in online forms. They will also write about web sites in this series of activities.
NYC Department of Records
Citizenship and Elections: The Importance of a Ballot
Approximately 58 prcent of those eligible voted in the 2016 US Presidential election. In an attempt to impress upon learners the importance of voting and voting rights, class members examine primary source documents related to the...
Thirteen Ed Online
What is Conceptual Art?
Research, art history, and web page creation! Sounds too good to be true. With tons of links and resources, the instructional activity provides you with everything needed to engage the class in an amazing art and research activity. They...
PBS
Historical Perspectives: Coming Home from War
What do the homecoming experiences of soldiers who fought in WWII, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan reveal about the politics and culture of the US during the time period of each war? Young historians view The Way We Get By, which tells...
Curated OER
Essay Exchange Unit: Thesis Development
High schoolers identify areas of interest and conduct preliminary research using on-line and library resources to develop their thesis statements.
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Who's The Boss?
Upper elementary and middle schoolers research and analyze some different types of governments. Democracies, Monarchies, and Dictatorships are some of the types that are looked at. Learners use the Internet to gather information that...
Curated OER
Searching in "Neat Stuff": Library Corner
Students explore collections of materials and pointers to other related materials to help them to quickly and easily find and retrieve information needed. This lesson was originally written for librarians with little or no net experiences.
PBS
Standing Up Against Injustice
“Sometimes things are lawful yet are actually wrong.” Researchers examine primary and secondary source materials as they study five legal cases involving civil rights attorney William Kunstler in which he attempted to use the legal...
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Survival of the Fittest - Variations in the Clam Species Clamys sweetus
It's not often that you come across a clever laboratory activity that is both imaginative and comprehensive! Using M&M's and Reese's peanut butter candies to represent two different clam species, young biologists test for "relative...
Curated OER
"Golden" Years?
The Golden Years? Upper graders may think retirement is a long way off, but in life everything is just around the corner. They consider what it means to retire and the current trend of parents working for their Students. They research...
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Watershed Documentary
Students research and produce an iMovie documentary about the human and natural history of a stream basin (watershed).