Curated OER
The Evolution of Arkansas Elementary Education
Fourth graders interview older citizens to discover earlier educational history. They write essays based on their interviews.
Curated OER
U.S. History: The Second Great Migration
Students examine the migration of rural African Americans to northern cities following World War !!. After predicting the effects of cultural and economic factors, they write essays explaining the impact of migration on communities and...
Curated OER
Social Studies: The Connecticut Hill Community
Learners discover the reasons for the settlement of the Connecticut Hill Community. Through an examination of the climate, occupations of the inhabitants, and demographics, they discuss reasons people choose locations for settlement. ...
Curated OER
Librarian, Legacy Keeper
Students brainstorm a list of all the kinds of items kept in a library. They answer questions about the job of a librarian then they write a three-paragraph essay about the work of a librarian.
Waunakee Community School District
Identifying Themes in Literature
If your language arts learners have a hard time determining the universal theme of a written work, use a straightforward worksheet to help them find it. After reviewing a list of common themes, kids note the title, character, plot, point...
Curated OER
Personally Speaking
Seventh graders read, "The Witch of Blackbird Pond," and write an expository essay discussing choices they have in society today compared with the character Kit.
Curated OER
The Family Tree
Middle schoolers make a family tree. In this family lesson, students brainstorm what the word family means, interview their family members and grandparents, create a family tree, list their family's favorite foods and write an essay...
Curated OER
The Political is Personal
Learners examine their own political party affiliations and political beliefs. After reading an article, they discuss how students at Duke define their political philosophies. They brainstorm events, people and experiences that have...
Curated OER
Effective Literary Analyses
Twelfth graders discuss a fictional text that they are given, they identify passages, which highlight the author's style, language naances and textual ambiguities. Pupils brainstorm possible topics for an analytical essay, they are...
Curated OER
Trash or Treasure?
Students explore their experiences and reflect on how one person can make a difference in our world. In this service learning lesson, students analyze themes in music related to encouragement. Students perform a service learning project...
Curated OER
United We Stand
Students recreate and simulate the secession of the South during the Civil War by having their class secede from the school. They write an essay comparing and contrasting the similarities and differences of everyday life before and after...
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Peanut Calorimeter Paper
Seventh graders respond to key questions about a science inquiry in groups. In this Peanut Calorimeter paper lesson, 7th graders recall information from a science inquiry and answer questions that will be part of a larger paper. ...
Curated OER
Sharing Our Surplus Stash: A Trick-Or-Treat Twist
Students give the gift of candy to community members. In this citizenship and giving lesson, students read Franklin's Halloween and discuss why the main characters give away part of their Halloween candy. Students brainstorm who in their...
Curated OER
Our City, Our Words
Students write poetry that captures their feelings about their city or town. After presenting their poetry at a class reading students compare their poetry to the work of published poets who have written about the same city.
Curated OER
Mildred Taylor: Understanding the Author of "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry"
Middle schoolers complete various activities related to the analysis of the novel "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry." They create a collage of words and images of what it was like to live in the South in the 1930's, conduct Internet...
Curated OER
Introduction to the Caribbean
Students examine the history and culture of Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico. They conduct research on Christopher Columbus, create a quiz, watch a video about Cuba, and write an essay comparing and contrasting Puerto Rico...
Curated OER
Guilty to a Fault
Learners consider the moral and legal issues involved in distinguishing a verdict of murder from one of manslaughter (criminally negligent homicide) and write an essay describing the issues involved in the case that was researched.
Curated OER
Impact of Technology
Students asses the effect of technology on the status and role of individuals, and analyze the postive and negative impact of moderiation on cultural and physical enviroments. Pupils brainstorm examples of postive and negative...
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Martin Luther King Jr.: From Civil Rights to Human Rights
Students read essays and participate in a discussion that examines Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s stance on both civil rights and the broader issue of human rights. They conduct research about King's life and work, analyze quotes from his...
National First Ladies' Library
How Do Flowers Get Their Names?
Students study Carolus Linnaeus and his classification system of plants. They examine the origin of both both common and scientific names of flowers. They speculate how their favorite flowers came to be named and brainstorm about the...
Curated OER
I am a Hero for Animals!
Students explore the humane treatment of animals. In this character development and civic responsibility instructional activity, students define "hero" and brainstorm related attributes. Students complete an action plan using the...
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Babes in Electronic Toyland
Students read a New York Times article in order to explore the use of handheld electronic devices in schools. They investigate, through surveys and essay-writing, the pros and cons of this technology.
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Protecting the Planet
Students discuss being a responsible student by helping to protect the rainforest. In this citizenship lesson, students brainstorm ideas to help global warming, warfare, human-rights abuses and acid rain. Students write an essay to send...
Curated OER
Solutions or Impossibilities? HIV Prevention for African Children
Students analyze maps for clues as to why students and mothers in both urban and rural areas of Africa may not fight HIV the same way as those in wealthier countries. They write an essay outlining solutions to the AIDS epidemic.