Curated OER
Guidance for Creating Phonics Lessons for Dyslexic Students
Here is a quick and easy guide to help a new teacher build phonics lessons for students with dyslexia. It stresses the importance of fundamental basics while also providing clear and direct instructional practices that will help you...
Curated OER
All About Me Brochure
Eighth graders complete a prewriting activity to gather information about themselves. They create a brochure using their prewriting activity that will introduce themselves to either a prospective employer or their freshman teachers.
Curated OER
My Name Is Me!
Students write about themselves. In this personal writing lesson, students write their name vertically down a sheet of paper and think of a self descriptive word that matches each letter of their name. Students write a descriptive...
Curated OER
Art as Therapy
Students explore how they connect with artwork on an emotional level through writing and the creation of an original piece of art.
Facing History and Ourselves
Who Am I?
Sixth graders explore how people throughout time have responded to questions regarding identity. For this The House on Mango Street lesson, 6th graders create an identity chart for a fictional character and then write personal essays...
Curated OER
Take a Look in the Mirror: What Do You See?
Students examine their perceptions of themselves. In this personal health lesson plan, students participate in a classroom activity that requires them to describe themselves and share those descriptions with their classmates. Students...
Curated OER
Using Words to Work Things Out
Students explore appropriate ways to communicate feelings. In this character development lesson, students listen to Hands are not for Hitting and several other books about expressing emotions appropriately. Students observe puppet...
Curated OER
Sharing Beauty Through Song
Young scholars perform a song for their school community. In this music lesson, students sing the philanthropic song See Me Beautiful by Red Grammar and reflect upon the lyrics. Young scholars perform the song for their school community.
Curated OER
Miss Alaineus Lesson Plan
Students gain an understanding of various literary devices and strengthen their vocabulary. In this Miss Alaineus lesson plan, students read the vocabulary tale, discuss the use of literary devices and choose from 4 possible culminating...
Health Smart Virginia
Compliment a Character
Compliments are true, specific, and positive. Crafting those compliments can be a challenge. Graciously accepting a compliment can also be a challenge. The first lesson in the Health Smart series designed for sixth graders provides them...
Nemours KidsHealth
Peer Pressure: Grades 6-8
Middle schoolers practice techniques they can use to get safely out of uncomfortable situations involving peer pressure. One activity engages class members in role-playing two scenarios; the first modeling negative peer pressure, while...
Health Smart Virginia
Tinkle Times
The big idea in the last lesson in the Health Smart series is that individuals must practice emotional first aid, that just as we take care of physical injuries, we must take care of emotional injuries. Scholars watch a short video and...
The Holler
Conflict Resolution
Does your class understand the importance of peaceful conflict resolution? Middle schoolers share conflict stories, then collaborate to resolve simulated conflicts during an engaging lesson plan. The teacher's guide contains...
Curated OER
2 Cubed
Learners recognize the many kinds of knowledge we all have. They develop recognition and foster self-esteem. They log on to SparkTop.org and play 2 Cubed, an online trivia game that they play one-on-one with an opponent. They identify...
Curated OER
Being Old
Students examine the characteristics of being a senior citizen in today's society. In groups, they develop a list of stereotypes associated with senior citizens. They use the internet to research their financial situtation, proper...
Curated OER
Self-esteem Activity
Students create lists of positive and negative feelings and have discussions on the power of positive thinking. For this feelings lesson plan, students dissect situations where others are being negative.
Curated OER
Social Studies: All about Me
Students collect information about themselves and their favorite things. Each month they add information in the form of reflections demonstrating growth in self esteem and self evaluation. At the end of the sachool year, students...
Curated OER
Goals, Goals, Goals
Students list the benefits of goal-setting. They describe the steps in a goal setting process. Students practice all the steps of the goal-setting process. They have an opportunity to observe how goal setting can improve performance and...
Curated OER
Relationships for Students in Middle School
Boundaries are important in relationships, no matter how close the relationship is. Middle schoolers explore the ideas of boundaries and personal space with two units about relationships. After discussing the boundaries in their own...
Overcoming Obstacles
Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses
Through a series of activities, middle schoolers learn how to celebrate their strengths, identify their weaknesses, and brainstorm strategies they can use to turn their weaknesses into strengths.
Roald Dahl
The Twits - Mrs Twit
"A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly." The second lesson in an 11-part unit that accompanies The Twits by Roald Dahl uses poetry to encourage positive character traits. Mrs. Twit has ugly thoughts, but those thoughts can...
Curated OER
Challenging Images
Students demonstrate the meaning of self-esteem and individuality. In this character education lesson, students discuss the meaning of self-esteem and self-image. Students are divided into small groups and are shown photographs of...
Curated OER
Understanding the Body, Day 3: Sexual Health & Hygiene
Ideal for secondary moderately disabled special ed students, this lesson focuses on personal hygiene and self-care. They discuss a case study and role-play to introduce the importance of good hygiene then discuss current appropriate...
Spreading Gratitude Rocks
Gratitude Bank
Money isn't the only type of currency that fills a piggy bank. Learners practice filling their banks with the the things that make them grateful. Pupils write about their talents, relationships, challenges, and life skills, making...