Curated OER
Darwinist Dogma?
Learners debate whether teachers should be mandated to present theories challenging evolution in their classrooms. For homework, they write letters to their local school board expressing their own opinions.
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Guild v. Google
Learners share opinions about what constitutes fair use of copyright materials and participate in a mock trial arguing the case of The Authors Guild v. Google.
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Fountain Pen Makes a Comeback in Scotland
Students read and discuss a news article about a school in Scotland that is using fountain pens to write with. They answer article comprehension questions, participate in a discussion about the importance of handwriting, write their...
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Conflicting Views
Students complete a Venn diagram comparing the United States and Afghanistan. They research the history of the Taliban and how they relate to the United States and its foreign policy. They write a paper on possible solutions.
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Harvesting a Forest: How Would I Do It?
Third graders design a machine for clear-cutting an area of forest. In this agricultural technology instructional activity, 3rd graders are read selections from American Tall Tales by Mary Pope Osbourn, discuss how trees are harvested...
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The Royal Family
Students pretend to be King or Queen. In this royal family activity, students draw a family tree and review family vocabulary words. Students identify members of the royal family and take a royal family quiz. Students discuss their...
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Who's on Trial Here?
Students discuss privacy issues that public personalities encounter when they are accused of committing a crime after reading an article in The New York Times. Students then write essays after researching several trials of public...
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Runaway Indentured Servants
Students compare and contrast indentured servants and slaves. In this US history slavery lesson, students discuss the owners' perceptions of indentured servants and slaves, then view ads for runaway slaves to support their opinions....
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What's In a Name?
Students listen to poems, and discuss what they like and dislike about each poem. They write an original poem about a partner, describing their partner and creating art to go with it.
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John Lawson's Emigration Impact: Short Essay
Students review John Lawson's writings to discover the impact they had on emigration to America. Using the writings, they analyze the influence of them and review the early settlement of the colonies. They write their own essay sharing...
Hold McDougal
Songwriting Skill - Finding Your Style: Elisa Victoria - “No Surprise”
Hip Hop? Country? Punk? R and B? So many styles. Young song writers consider the emotional effects of various style options before selecting the style best suited to the emotions they want to express in their song. The sixth in a...
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Filing A Conusmer Complaint
Students discuss what makes good service and poor servies. They brainstorm ways to file a complaint when they receive poor service. Students work in pairs to practice making a consumer complaint verbally and in writing. This lesson is...
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Violence in the Media
Students consider the impact of violence on television. In this media awareness instructional activity, students keep track of violent acts on television and write letters to network executives regarding violence on television.
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Across Five Aprils
Students read the novel, Across Five Aprils and investigate the theme of the individual vs, community loyalties. They keep a daily journal, role-play situations, hold a mock debate, and write a research paper on "coming of age."
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In the News
Third graders participate in a instructional activity that helps to improve reading comprehension. They move through several activities that help them understand how to express their opinions, support their statements and communicate...
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Express Yourself
Students share opinions about the way students behave. They write letters to the editor responding to an article.
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Making the Case for Progressive Constitutional Changes in Connecticut
Students take a closer look at Constitutional Amendments. In this Progressive Era lesson, students discover how the amendment process works and then examine 4 amendments proposed during the era in Connecticut. Students research primary...
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Gifts from the Hopi
Students examine the gifts a community of long ago can give the community of today in terms of artistic, economic and spiritual areas. Using the Internet, they conduct searches to find information about kachina masks and pottery. They...
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New World Meets Old
Students demonstrate understanding of basic facts about Christopher Columbus and different theories regarding his background. They try to solve the mystery of Christopher Columbus' background and write an essay offering their own opinion.
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Genetics
High schoolers investigate public policy regarding genetic research and have formed an educated opinion on what they believe the government role should be.
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Summer Fun! Vacation Destination Postcards
Students design a postcard with a graph and text. They research their favorite vacation spot. Pupils write a friendly letter to their parents requesting to visit this vacation destination. Students use a Circle Map, to help fill in their...
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Jamestown Journey Part 4
Fourth graders review their prior knowledge from the previous lessons of this unit on Jamestown. After reading a novel, they examine and discuss the life of Pocahontas. Using the internet, they answer comprehension questions and write...
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Inherit the Wind
Students explore the theory of evolution and read the play Inherit The Wind and a series of articles and essays about the famous Scopes trial that centered around the right to teach evolution. They incorporate technology as they research...
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Lone Wolves
Students examine the reasons why some people do not support the protection of the wolf on the Endangered Species list. After reading an article, they discuss the controversy of delisting the wolves. As a class, they debate this issue...