Curated OER
Keeping It Quiet
Students consider ways in which countries use censorship to control information. They examine China's recent abridgement of a politician's speech and consider China's recent history with other nations to better explain why censorship is...
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Understanding Persuasive Writing
High schoolers give examples of how the media glamorize violence and desensitize viewers to the horrors of real acts of violence. They identify factors in addition to the media that contribute to the problem of violence in society.
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Through Their Eyes: Video Taping Oral History
Students identify the stereotypes they are faced with on a daily basis. In groups, they use this information to identify the ways stereotypes are portrayed in movies and television. They use a video camera to record oral histories of...
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The Shapes of Flight
Students explore interaction between mathematics, science, and technology as they look at process of researching, developing, testing, and evaluating airplane design. They calculate glide ratio for model paper airplane by using data...
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Literature: Watching Anna
Students view the PBS presentation of Leo Tolstoy's, "Anna Karenina." Prior and after each episode, they discuss plot and characterization and in one lesson, use adjectives to describe each of the main characters. Then, students create...
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Animal Tales Around the World
Learners explore characteristics of Indian Tales/ Parables. In this literature lesson, students compare contemporary society to western culture through analysis. Learners create their own tales using this genre.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Learning the Printing Trade
Young scholars explore U.S. History by reading biographical text in class. In this Benjamin Franklin instructional activity, students read about the famous American's first job and the transition he underwent from printing to politics....
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Recognizing Types of Propaganda in Advertising
Young scholars recognize the various types of propaganda so that they be better able to recognize propaganda in its various forms.
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Reporting in Letters
Students investigate the cultures and politics of different countries and write radio letters to listeners in those countries modeled after Alistair Cooke's "Letter from America."
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The American
Students engage in the study of "The American" by Henry James. They read the novel and watch the film to create the context for a variety of activities. Students conduct research about the novel and the author using different resources.
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Captions: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Students examine a picture for details, write questions they need answered about the picture, create lead-ins and captions appropriate for a picture and write captions appropriate for other pictures.
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Casting a Wide Net
Pupils investigate topics that would be suitable for classroom podcasts. They read an online article, write and produce a podcast.
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A Reef of Your Own
High schoolers research and study the life and reproductive strategies of reef building corals. They examine how coral reefs can produce high levels of biological material when they are surviving in areas of low nutrition.
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Space Science:Wherever You Go, There You Are
Students explore navigation principles by observing, measuring, and interpreting data to determine locations. Using a compass, compass rose, and a transit, they plot courses and discover the workings of the Global Positioning System...
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Flight Direction
Students are introduced to NASA's Connect Series and Flight Direction programs. They explore the world of aeronautics and their missions. Students receive a front role set to the concepts and skills involved with the various NASA programs.
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Collaboration and Communication Tools-1
Learners use telecommunications and online resources to participate in activities that develop solutions outside the classroom. They use email attachments and FAX to send their finished letters describing why people should or should not...
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Putting on Beowulf
Students read "Putting on Beowulf" then, in separate groups, choose a segment of Beowulf to perform. They prepare a performance either "live" or on videotape. After listening and watching each performance, Students evaluate each...
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Video-Conferencing
Students write a paper on the impact of video-conferencing in an area of their choice. The paper should discuss pros and cons to this technology and include a clear description of what video-conferencing is.
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Population Limits
Middle schoolers gather information on China's government controlled population limit policy, discuss the policy with their peers, mathematically model different policies, and decide as a class on the best policy.
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Planetary Landers
Students watch programs from a series titled "Planetary Landers". As a class, they view a poster of various vehicles that have made their way into space. In groups, they brainstorm the characteristics that should be included when...
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Cora Unashamed
Students watch the Masterpiece movie " Cora Unashamed." They study American social history, race relations, and investigate Langston Hughes and the Harlem Renaissance. They have a discussion before and after viewing the film.
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A Panel of Survivors
Students role-play real-life survivors in a panel discussion. They read a mini-biography about a survivor.
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Video Poetry
Students analyze a poem of their choice to find the meaning. They break the poems into sections and add images and sounds to make it into a video. They show their video to the whole school if possible.
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Chicago On Stage
Students view a film about the genres and disciplines of performing arts. They examine the theatre community in Chicago and the origins of theatre companies. They answer questions and discuss them to end the lesson.