Curated OER
Sense of Place: No River Too Wide-Bridges
Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River. In this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River. Students document their...
Curated OER
A Visit From The Jolly Postman
Students learn about the postal system and how mail is delivered. In this mail delivery lesson, students read The Jolly Postman: Or Other People's Letters and discuss the people and places the jolly postman would visit in their town. ...
Curated OER
The Iditarod: The Last Great Race
Students investigate the Iditarod. In this last great race lesson, students explore and research the Iditarod race which takes place in Alaska. Students explore a variety of websites and images to gather background information. A series...
Curated OER
Winter at Valley Forge
Students assess the events leading up to the American Revolution. In this United States History lesson, students read "Crossing the Delaware: George Washington Fights in the Battle of Trenton," then discuss the highlights in the story....
Curated OER
Molly's Pilgrim and Thanksgiving Activities
The tender story of Molly's Pilgrim, coupled with a history mini-lesson, is a great way to discuss the meaning of Thanksgiving.
Curated OER
The Odyssey - By Homer
Students read and interpret the epic poem The Odyssey by Homer. They interlock this poem to other spectacular people or events such as Amelia Earhart and the Bermuda Triangle. A vast array of excellent assignments are given within this...
Curated OER
Technologies of the Civil War
Fifth graders discover new and interesting technologies of the Civil War. In this Civil War portfolio of lessons, 5th graders analyze primary resources, develop new vocabulary, investigate websites, and create a time line of new...
Curated OER
1856-1865: Abolitionists and the Civil War
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this abolition lesson, students watch "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and discuss the philanthropic acts they witnessed in the film. Students also complete an activity that requires them to determine...
Curated OER
The Cleverest Thief
First graders read The Cleverest Thief and participate in various activities across the curriculum areas. In this story lesson, 1st graders arrange an anagram of the word monastery. Students complete worksheets to alphabetize and use...
Curated OER
Voyage to Kure Viewing Guide
Students complete a worksheet while viewing a video about the oceans. They locate the oceans on a map and identify positive and negative ways in which humans have impacted them. They discuss any questions at the end of the lesson.
Curated OER
Mayor Puts City on Diet to Lose a Million Pounds
Students read a story called Mayor Puts City on Diet to Lose a Million Pounds and answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about it. In this current event Lose a Million Pounds lesson plan, students respond to literature by...
Curated OER
Heading West
Students study the concept of the westward expansion. In this exploration of the western U.S. lesson, students participate in different activities that explain economic hardships, jobs, and land opportunities. Students describe...
Curated OER
Our Forests Need Fires?
Young scholars consider how forest fires are both damaging and beneficial to forests. In this earth science lesson, students are read the book Fire! In Yellowstone by Robert Ekey and watch "Fire Ecology" and "Two Sides of Fire" before...
Curated OER
Reasons to Settle in America
Students complete a research project. In this American History instructional activity, students work in groups to research reasons that people wanted to settle in America. Students record the information, share what they found and...
Curated OER
Sahara Special
Third graders read the book Sahara Special and participate in comprehension activities. In this realistic fiction lesson, 3rd graders create a brochure for where they live. Students have personal bags, a brown paper bag, that they fill...
Curated OER
Observing Weather
Students investigate the weather by reading children stories. For this weather observation lesson, students read Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs and several other stories about weather before they create a KWL chart. Students utilize...
Curated OER
Let's Write Around the World
Students participate in an ongoing writing project about the seven world continents. In this continents writing lesson, students work on an interactive game to write about the seven continents. Students locate the continents on the map....
Curated OER
A Treaty Tail: U.S. - Indian Treaty Councils in the Northwest
Students view a painting as a document to find out about the Indian Treaty Councils. In this artist's perspective lesson, students study the conflicts as shown in various pictures. Students answer questions about what they learn from...
Curated OER
Family Tree
Students create a family tree in this culminating activity to their family unit. In this family tree lesson, students extend their learning about the family unit by working in small groups to develop a three generation family tree. They...
Curated OER
Needs and Wants
First graders recognize the difference between needs and wants. In this treaty instructional activity, 1st graders chart their needs and wants to be used in making a treaty. Students negotiate what should be in the treaty based on the...
Curated OER
Molas from South America
Third graders research world geography by creating a class presentation. In this South American instructional activity, 3rd graders read assigned text regarding the customs and traditions of different Indian communities in South America....
Curated OER
Swing Your Partner! It's A Virtual Square Dance
Learners explore the Wessels Living History Farm website and research how to do a square dance. They read a story, listen to an explanation of barn dances, and participate in various square dances.
Curated OER
Geography of the Study of the Spanish-speaking People of Texas
Students identify the physical features, demographic characteristics, and history of the four Texas towns featured in Russell Lee's photo essay, "The Spanish-Speaking People of Texas." They conduct Internet research, and create a travel...
Curated OER
Prisoners in Another War
Learners examine the role of the Geneva Convention. In this world history instructional activity, students investigate primary sources that prompt them to consider the evolution of the Geneva Convention.