Curated OER
African Americans in Science
Young scholars explore the careers of prominent African Americans in science, mathematics, and technology. They use The Faces of Science: African Americans in the Sciences website, which includes profiles of past and present African...
Curated OER
Countering Homophobia: Feelings, Tolerance, Sexuality, Stereotypes
Young scholars explore and discuss name-calling, feelings and myths relating to homosexuality through labeling feelings and participating in a game.
Curated OER
Lilting Limericks
Students discover the formula for writing limericks and use it to write their own poems.
Curated OER
Roar-Shack Poetry
Students use tempera paints to create blots. They use the blots as inspiration for poetry writing by brainstorming and organizing all words they associate with the blot. They present their poetry along with their inspiration.
Curated OER
Stay Away Tooth Decay
Students discuss what is meant by good dental hygiene. They identify food and drinks that are good and bad for their teeth. They use an egg to represent their teeth and place it in a dark liquid overnight. They predict what will happen...
Curated OER
Hillbilly or Appalachian: Is There A Difference?
Students examine the Appalachian region and its people. They write a journal entry, discuss the definitions of hillbilly and Appalachian, analyze cartoons and jokes, explore various websites, and develop a presentation.
Curated OER
Light-Capturing Cut Paper Designs
Students create an alternating and repetitive design using at least two original designs. The cut paper design be exposed to a direct source of light (spotlight) in order to form an overall pattern with structural and tonal counterchanges.
Curated OER
Bicycle Safety
First graders see how to operate and practice safe behavior on bicycles. They make a class chart that lists safe and unsafe behaviors when riding bicycles, then participate in a series of bike safety stations set up around the classroom.
Curated OER
Literature: Porgy and Bess
Students examine the various portrayals of African-Americans in literature, focusing on the opera, Porgy and Bess. They conduct Internet research on African-American culture between the two World Wars. Students write fictional or...
Curated OER
Weightlessness
Students use a coffee cup to demonstrate weightlessness. After a lecture/demo, students read an article on free-fall. They perform a simple experiment which helps them explain the concept of weightlessness.
Curated OER
Biodiversity in Illinois-Pond Habitats
Second graders construct a pond habitat in the classroom using a small swimming pool partially filled with water, real cattails, a tree log adjoining, and plastic animal life appropriate to a pond setting. They examine the frog in detail...
Curated OER
Teaching Social Studies in English
Case studies, an examination of images, and readings of passages from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are used to spark conversations in ESL/ELD social studies classes about this highly-charged topic. Using a variety of...
Curated OER
Origin of the Modern Summer Games
Where did the Olympic Summer Games originate? The class takes a look at ancient origins of modern Olympic games. They research the Olympics and write a compare and contrast essay that describes how the Olympic Games have changed since...
Curated OER
El Salvador: Whose Breakfast Isn't for the Birds?
Sixth graders investigate the understanding of where coffee is grown by conducting a survey. They study the natural history of coffee and examine bird habitats in the areas where coffee is grown. They write letters to explaining the...
Curated OER
Center Stage -- Focus on the Elderly
Middle schoolers role play and identify the perspectives of senior citizens. They develop a plan on how to interact with the elderly successfully. They examine children's books on how to relate to the elderly.
Curated OER
The Same But Different
Fourth graders identify the characteristics of a simple physical change. They describe objects by the properties of the materials from which they are made. Students discuss the different states of matter and their distinct physical...
Curated OER
Why Burn Books?
Students identify the role of free speech in the selection of library books. They choose one banned book to read and evaluate the reason for its censorship. They create an argument for or against the selection of the book.
Curated OER
Button Sort - Cross Reference #607, Literature (Elementary, Mathematics)
Students write free flowing thoughts and feelings in their journals. They practice observation skills. They write using adjectives to describe an object. They choose a special button from among many unusual buttons.
Curated OER
An "Eggs"traordinary Sculpture
Eighth graders identify and categorize different types of animals which lay eggs, use a five step method for viewing and interpreting a piece of artwork, and use an indirect method to find the mass of a large object.
Curated OER
Hats off to you!
Students learn about cultures through hats. Students complete "hat" writings, puzzles, and language games around the theme.
Curated OER
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
Students communicate and express ideas through drawings that represent the stated ideas. They use a pattern book after listening to the story, "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"
Curated OER
Weightlessness
Students predict the behavior of coffee in a cup while it is dropped during a demonstration. They relate their observations to the weightless conditions that astronauts experience in space and discuss the concept of free-fall.
Curated OER
Finding My Voice
Have your class learn the essentials of public speaking. They compose a speech for their fifth grade celebration using iPods and presentation software. This would be a great end of the year activity for any grade level.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
What is Islam and What are the Root Causes of Muslim Anger with the West?
A video and magazine article provide the foundation for learning about Islam and why some Muslims are angry with Western society. In groups, students identify the causes of hostility and prepare a presentation that explains them. While...