Stanford University
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X: A Common Solution?
Much has been made of the differences between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. But was there any common ground between them? Class members reconsider what they think they know about these two civil rights leaders with biographical...
American Chemical Society
Soda Can Steam Engine
Steam engines have been around since the late 1600s, yet most pupils don't know how they work. Using an soda can, the instructor builds a simple steam engine for scholars to observe. Through a discussion, young scientists learn about the...
Penguin Books
An Educator's Guide to The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Jack the Ripper terrorized London in the late 1800s. An educator's guide for the novel The Name of the Star places the historical figure in a modern context. Readers complete a pre-reading activity before answering a series of discussion...
Curated OER
Dissolving Gobstoppers
Students design their own experiments . They study the scientific method and determine what a testable question is. They distinguish between questions that are testable and those that are not. They identify variables, make and understand...
Curated OER
Erosion... Can You Fight It?
Learners study erosion and its effects on shorelines. For this erosion lesson, students work in an engineering team to design a seawall and submit a cost bid to their teacher. Learners must determine the energy of a wave and design a...
Curated OER
Do We Need to Wear a Rainhat? Acid Rain: Causes, Effects, and Possible Solutions
Acid rain, and how it affects the environment, is the focus of this Earth science lesson plan. During the study, learners evaluate measures to reduce acid rain, and design an investigation to demonstrate the conection between a...
Beyond Benign
pH Neutral
Acids and bases combine to create our most popular shampoos—who knew?! Using the eighth lesson in a 24-part series, your classes study how acids and bases combine to create safe mixtures such as those in your scholars' shampoos. They...
Beyond Benign
Punnett Square Possibilities
Discover possible genetic outcomes through Punnett Squares. Learners continue studying genetic traits in the 10th lesson in the 17-part series. After determining the father of Sparky's kittens, scholars now attempt to predict the traits...
Beyond Benign
Lucky Brand Genes: Chromosome Cookies
Mutations are not just deformed creatures we see in movies—they happen every day! Scholars study the different types of genetic mutations in the 12th installment of a series of 18 lessons. A creative activity uses candy and other food...
Beyond Benign
Crossing Hairs
Can you breed the perfect cat? Scholars study how to control genetic traits through breeding. The 15th lesson in a 18-part genetics unit considers the process of cross-breeding to develop a cat with a specific set of predetermined traits.
Anti-Defamation League
The Road to Brown
As part of the study of segregation in U.S. schools, scholars research and create a timeline of events that led to the historic Supreme Court case, Brown V. Board of Education. Groups research a topic or event that led to the decision,...
Anti-Defamation League
With All Deliberate Speed
Has the integration of U.S. schools proceeded "with all deliberate speed?" Has progress been made? Those are the questions young historians must consider as they examine the barriers to and opportunities revealed in a study of timelines...
Curated OER
Guiding Your Curriculum with the Help of Essential Questions
Teachers can plan a unit of study using essential questions as the driving force behind student learning.
Curated OER
Conducting and Analyzing Local Studies
Students carry out the class weather study: recording, organizing and discussing data daily and keeping track of this work in their journals. They look for patterns and relationships in data, link these with what they know and with...
Curated OER
Real People, Real Farms: Case studies of organic agriculture
Eighth graders study examples of organic agriculture from around the country. In this sustainable agriculture lesson plan students apply what they learn to real life situations.
Curated OER
Debt Slavery and Children in India, A Case Study
Students examine the child labor situation in India. Using the internet, they research the conditions these students work under and how they are part of the debt slavery system. They read the Human Rights Watch and determine if this is...
Curated OER
A Comparative Study of the Civil Rights Movement & the Grassroots Hip Hop Movement
Pupils identify, research, and discuss similarities between the Civil Rights Movement and the grassroots hip hop movement in America.
Curated OER
Social Studies Strategies: List-Group-Label
In this learning strategy worksheet, students use the List-Group-Label strategy to review a main topic or concept in a unit study or reading selection. Students complete five steps.
Curated OER
Study Skills- Fact and Opinion
Learners engage in a variety of activities in order to achieve the objectives of a layered curriculum unit. They take notes on the differences between fact and opinion. Students also use a newspaper in order to recognize opinionated...
Curated OER
Children Just Like Me
Students study the issues and plight of the developing country of Bangladesh. In this developing country lesson, students study a fictionalized case with actual statistics to learn about issues facing children in the country of...
Curated OER
Communication
Students identify methods of conflict resolution as related to marriage. They discover some ideas about how to say "No" and evaluate their own communication patterns for roadblocks they may be using. They study good couple...
Curated OER
State Symbols of Michigan
Students study the symbols of the state of Michigan and create a slide show using KidPix. They discuss the diversity of creation within the state of Michigan. Students also discuss how God is in control of the "kings of our earth."
Curated OER
The Nile: A Gift to Egypt
Sixth graders discover the Egyptian culture. In this Nile River lesson, 6th graders examine why the river is so important to Egypt.Students study the religions, geography and the people of Egypt. Students create an exhibit where they...
Curated OER
The Mother Culture of Mexico: The Olmecs
Sixth graders study the Olmec civilization. They develop a map of Mexico and a map of the area of the Olmec civilization. They research Olmec art, religion, and architecture. They construct Olmec symbols including giant heads, altars,...