+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sundiata, Mali’s Lion King

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the history of Mali. In this African cultures lesson, students research the impact of Sundiata Keita as king of Mali, recognize the significance of historical Malian festivals, and create character masks to be worn...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Hare and the Water: A Tanzanian Folk Tale

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
"The Hare and the Water," a Tanzanian folk tale, lends a global perspective to literary analysis. Learners spend the first two days reading and storyboarding. On day three, they examine folk tale elements (worksheet included), and design...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VH1 Presents the 1980s - Lesson 3

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify different genres of music popular in the 1980s. They study musicians of the 1980s examples of the songs that they made popular. They utilize a worksheet imbedded in this plan to categorize the music.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lift and Drag: Principles of Flight and the Soaring Imagination

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students construct models of early gas balloons and gliders. In this balloon and glider lesson, students create models of early gas balloons and gliders, discover how the forces of lift and drag effect aircraft in flight, and put on...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching With the Power of Objects

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Students define value of an object. In this value lesson plan, students identify reasons for collecting objects, compile a personal inventory of items they find valuable, and then define why those items are valuable to them. In step two...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Bridges: Living in a Diverse Society

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Learners participate in various activities that help them build esteem, and explore racism. In this multicultural lesson plan, Students increase their awareness of, and appreciation for, cultural differences and similarities. This...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History Close to Home: Creating Your Own Special Museum

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students create their own museum exhibit. In this museum creation lesson plan, students research their local history so they can decide on a theme for their exhibit and what objects they will use in order to design a museum exhibit. A...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

India: Where Remarkable Differences Are Ordinary

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students research India and Indian culture. In this Indian research lesson plan, students research and report on the lives of Indian children. The report will be in the form of a mock interview between a journalist and an Indian child....
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning from Letters and Other Mail

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Learners explore the history of our mail system. In this postal lesson plan, students evaluate mail as a means of communication, create a mail system in their classroom where they can send and receive mail. Once the learners receive...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dinosaurs Were Real!

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Pupils investigate the history of dinosaurs, as real animals. In this dinosaur lesson plan, students examine basic concepts that help them understand the history of all life. Included in this article is information on the world of the...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Art to Zoo: Celebration

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Students research and develop a report on birthday rituals around the world. In this research lesson plan, students compare birthday rituals from other cultures to their own. Images and resources are included.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE: COLUMBUS IN THE NEW WORLD

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the famous explorer Christopher Columbus.  In this World History instructional activity, 8th graders analyze and compare primary and secondary sources.  Students discuss as a class the accomplishments of Columbus.   
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Masks (Pre-Visit)

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders observe and describe several masks from different parts of Africa housed in the Smithsonian Institute (National Museum of African Art) Washington, D.C. They use the internet to view the Smithsonian's virtual exhibits.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Secret War - The WWII Diary of Madeline Beck: Lesson 2

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore world history by reading historical fiction. In this World War II lesson, 5th graders read the story My Secret War and identify the importance of fiction when analyzing history. Students answer study questions about...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Giant Smelly Plant Attracts Thousands

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Read and discuss a news article about a rare corpse plant that bloomed in Washington D.C. Because this native Indonesian plant blooms so rarely, people flock to see it. After reading the article, your class answers comprehension...
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

African Tiger: Adjective Activity

For Students 2nd - 4th
In this adjective worksheet, students write adjectives that describe a tiger on lines around a picture of a tiger, then use those adjectives in sentences.
+
Worksheet
Curated OER

African Lion Adjectives

For Students 1st - 3rd
In this adjective worksheet, students write adjectives on lines surrounding a picture of an African lion, then use each adjective in a sentence.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"The Clever Monkey"

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders complete a variety of activities related to the book "The Clever Monkey" by Rob Cleveland. They answer story comprehension questions, and rewrite the story. Students also complete a comprehension and fact or opinion...
+
Lesson Plan
August House

The Clever Monkey

For Teachers K - 1st Standards
Your clever kindergartners will enjoy a series of activities based on the West African folktale, The Clever Monkey, adapted by Rob Cleveland. They sequence the story with pictures, copy sentences, illustrate idioms about cats, and taste...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mini Masks: Ceramics

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Masks have been used for many reasons throughout human history. They are also great subjects for art projects! Included here are instructions, background information, and all the supplies needed to create mini masks in your class. 
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Zoo-Goers Ready to Greet Baby Panda

For Students 2nd - 6th
The Smithsonian's National Zoo, also known as the Washington Zoo, is one of the oldest zoos in the United States. Youngsters read and discuss a news article about Tai Shan, baby panda that was one of the zoos most famous residents. They...
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Indian Basket Weaving

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students explore Indian Basket designs, experiment with weaving materials and create their own baskets in this 5-day Arrt lesson for the early-elementary classroom. The lesson includes scoring guides and illustrated directions for students.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning About Writers

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore how authors write stories. In this careers lesson, students invite an author into the classroom and ask him/her questions about writing as a career.
+
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Save the Animals!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research an endangered animal and share what they learned through the use of technology. In this interdisciplinary lesson on animals, students conduct research on an endangered animal. Then, students create a PowerPoint...