EngageNY
Analyzing the Model Essay: Studying Argument
Scholars begin writing an argument essay based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. They read and analyze a model essay, considering the author's thinking before writing it.
National Endowment for the Humanities
A Defense of the Electoral College
Each presidential election year, the debate about the electoral college rages. Michael C. Maibach's "A Defense of the Electoral College" offers young political scientists an opportunity to examine a reasoned argument for why the...
Curated OER
Who is Dr. Seuss?
Learn more about Dr. Seuss in an author study activity. After young readers create a KWL chart on information they know about Dr. Seuss, they take on group roles, such as the researcher or recorder, to find out more about Dr. Seuss. They...
Curated OER
Book Party
Pupils compile a list of titles and authors worthy of having their own festivals, then research and write proposals outlining the activities for a specific book festival. They write analytical letters from the perspective of the author...
Curated OER
Glory Field Author Brochure
Students create brochures about Glory Field author Walter Dean Myers using internet research and Appleworks, or a similar software program. Emphasis is placed on finding non-copyrighted material.
Curated OER
Polar Animal Research Reports
Third graders research and write a report on a polar animal. Each student be given a graphic organizer to complete on a particular animal. They are encouraged to use technology for the research and presentation portions of the project.
Curated OER
Fiction vs. Nonfiction
Young scholars explore fiction and nonfiction writing. They identify the elements of fiction in a short story and identify the criteria necessary in a nonfiction piece. Students distinguish the author's purpose in an expository text,...
Curated OER
Critical Evaluation of a Web Page Lesson Plan
Middle schoolers research and examine importance of evaluating source and validity of information found on a web site.
Curated OER
Library Orientation with Mythology Emphasis
Students investigate their library's layout and complete a research project for mythology. In this mythology research lesson, students participate in an orientation to their school library's layout and investigate examples of its...
Curated OER
Lifestyles in the 13 Colonies
Seventh graders explore American colonial life. In this Colonial America lesson, 7th graders research Internet and print sources to create Inspiration projects on colonial America.
Curated OER
The Life and Work of Kahlil Gibran
Students research the Islam and Christianity through the use of newspapers or magazines. They discuss the life of Kahlil Gibran and his work in which he was an political activist .
Curated OER
The Great Migration: An Oral History
Students research the factors which contributed to the great migration and write a well organized research paper using multiple sources. They incorporate quotations into their paper, both direct and paraphrased, in accordance with MLA...
Curated OER
Wax Museum
Sixth graders put their research skills to work. In this Revolutionary War lesson, 6th graders research a famous figure from that era. Students use the information gathered to prepare for a wax museum experience.
Curated OER
Cooperative Jigsaw Expert Report of Fables
Pupils research literary elements of fables. In this literature instructional activity, students analyze literary elements of fables. Pupils work collaboratively using a jigsaw strategy to analyze literary elements.
Curated OER
Computer Lab Worksheet Background and Causes of WWI
In this research skills worksheet, students use the noted Web sites to locate responses to 6 short answer questions about World War I. Students also research the specific reasons that selected countries joined World War I.
Curated OER
You Either Know it or You Don't 6
In this Internet research skills worksheet, student respond to 15 short answer trivia questions. Students may use reference sources if they don't know the answers.
Curated OER
War, What is it Good for?
Eighth graders examine aspects of the American Civil War related to West Virginia. In this research skills lesson, 8th graders collaborate to research Civil War topics and create electronic portfolios that feature their findings.
Curated OER
Will the Real Ben Franklin Please Stand Up?
Students explore the life of Benjamin Franklin. In this American history lesson, students research primary and secondary documents regarding Franklin's life. Students should examine the point of view each of the accounts is written from...
University of Virginia
Student Page: Uncle Tom's Cabin and American Culture
History sleuths read articles for and against Uncle Tom's Cabin, examine visual images, print responses, and multi-media tomitudes to better understand the impact of Harriet Beecher Stowe's novel on American culture prior to the Civil...
Live Oak Media
Activity Guide: Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
Enhance a reading of the Caldecott Medal-winning children's book Joseph had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback with this collection of learning activities. Starting with general background information about the book and author, this...
Curated OER
How to Integrate Quotations
Quotations add validity to an argument or an analysis, but how do you integrate them into your writing? Several examples are provided, and your emerging writers will surely benefit from looking at different ways to add quotations....
Curated OER
Express Yourself Lesson Seed 17: Obituary
The Cay has been criticized by groups such as the Council on Interracial Books for Children because of the way race is portrayed. Explore the argument against the book while taking the author's perspective into account. Class members...
Curated OER
Who is on that Bill? Alexander Hamilton and the Federalist Papers
Students, who are adult learners, participate in an Internet scavenger hunt in order to assimilate information about the biography of Alexander Hamilton and the Federalist Papers. They look at the Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers...
Curated OER
Cemetery Restoration Project
Who is buried in this tomb? Trek to a local cemetery, take pictures of markers, explore records, and conduct interviews to bring to life the stories behind the stones. Use Olympus and Tool Factory to coordinate and gather information...