Austin Independent School District
Visual Discovery Note Taking Sheets
Step into history and step out with a new understanding of events. These strategies bring a new level of understanding of key events by asking viewers to engage in and respond to projected images. Complete directions for the activity, a...
Curated OER
Columbus: Hero or Villain?
Young scholars explore Christopher Columbus's motives. In this character education lesson plan, students research Internet and print sources regarding the life and actions of Christopher Columbus in order to write essays that his actions...
Classics for Kids
Listen to the Music
Different pieces of music can elicit different emotions from audience members. A quick tempo can make you feel happy, while a largo piece may bring out a melancholy temperament. Elementary musicians learn more about the instruments...
K-3 Teacher Resources
Never Look Down on Anybody Quote
Encourage kindness and compassion in your class with a colorful poster. A picture shows one boy helping another up, and an inspirational quote tells kids not to look down upon one another.
Film English
My Shoes
Engage your pupils in short story and short film. Using a still from the film as inspiration, pairs compose short stories, which they later share and compare with other members of the class. They then watch the film and respond to a...
US Institute of Peace
Observing Conflict
Can your class manage conflict? Give them the tools they need to succeed at conflict resolution with the third lesson in a 15-part series of peacebuilding activities. Learners draw from personal conflict experience as they analyze...
US Institute of Peace
Responding to Conflict: Mediation
What happens when two parties can't come to agreement? Scholars explore the role of a mediator through part 10 of a 15-part series of peacebuilding lessons. Through individual work and role play, pupils brainstorm solutions until they...
US Institute of Peace
Mediating Conflict
Two's a negotiation, but three's a mediation! Demonstrate the differences between the two processes through a role-playing lesson plan. The activity familiarizes pupils with the role of a mediator and examines the types of situations...
US Institute of Peace
Becoming a Peacebuilder
"Be the change you wish to see in the world!" The 15th and final lesson in a peacebuilding series uses this quote from Gandhi to prepare pupils for their own action projects. Individuals research a global issue, then brainstorm a method...
Teaching Children Philosophy
Tiger-Tiger, is it True?
Scholars take part in a philosophical discussion about truth, thoughts, and feelings following a reading of Tiger-Tiger is it True? by Byron Katie and Hans Wilhelm.
California Department of Education
Studying for Careers
A lesson bridges the connection between studying and careers. Scholars complete a vocabulary worksheet in preparation for a discussion on study habits and career skills. Learners fill out another worksheet to identify which study habits...
Pfizer
Stress Lessons Toolkit
A unit plan that is over 50 pages in length offers lessons and activities that define stress, practice breathing techniques, bring awareness to triggers, refocus worries and fears, and offer practical problem-solving strategies. The unit...
Curated OER
Immigrating to America
Coming to America as an immigrant can be an emotional and difficult process. This lesson plan has learners explore what it means to be an immigrant, listen to real life accounts, and visit an online museum. This is a wonderful discussion...
Social Skills Central
Ready, Set, Respond!
When faced with a difficult situation, do you respond selfishly, face it head on, or ignore the problem? This game encourages learners to evaluate the wide range of reactions we can have to problematic situations, and how our responses...
Curated OER
Using Self Portraits for Self Expression
Social-emotional activities for gifted students using art.
Curated OER
Olympic Values
Students learn what it is to be an athlete in the Olympics. They focus on the motto of the Olympics and make their own classroom oath to complete the instructional activity.
Curated OER
Deadly Lesson
Learners read "Shooting at School Leaves 2 Dead and 13 Hurt" in the New York Times online. They explore their own thoughts and emotions about school violence in the wake of the March 5, 2001 school shooting in Santee, California.
Nemours KidsHealth
Self-Esteem: Grades K-2
Second graders create a flower where each petal has their talents and unique qualities on the flower. For this self esteem lesson plan, 2nd graders understand that they are all special in their own way.
Curated OER
What Is Happening in Haiti?
Students discuss the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and empathize with the victims of the disaster. In this 2010 Haitian earthquake lesson plan, students learn about the history and hardship the country has consistently faced. They watch clips...
Curated OER
Make a Difference
Seventh graders examine the trait of kindness. In this character education lesson, 7th graders discuss pro-social behavior and design personal plans to share kindness.
Curated OER
Character and Citizenship Education
Students analyze the importance of being a socially healthy citizen. In this character education instructional activity, students brainstorm personal traits that they think make the world a better place. Students compile their ideas as a...
Curated OER
In-Group Favoritism
Students discover how to cross social boundaries. In this character education lesson plan, students discuss the positive and negative impacts of favortism they witness in their local community as well as the international...
Curated OER
What Can I Do?
Students identify feelings and learn how to handle conflict. In this character education instructional activity, discuss what to do when a friend is feeling sad and develop positive ways to handle negative feelings.
Curated OER
Perseverance: Keep Going
Kids evaluate world history events that show perseverance by creating artistic images. They investigate historic photographs and images which conjure up the feelings of perseverance, then utilize acrylic paints to capture the...