Curated OER
Standards and Measures
Students conduct a "one-question interview" about standardized tests. They assess two sections of a standardized test that they took or will take this year and write an article for their school newspaper that consolidates their test...
Curated OER
Scooting Away from Justice?
Students examine President Bush's July 2007, decision to commute the 30-month sentence of former White House official, I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby by reading a New York Times article. They scan editorial sources on various sides of the...
Core Knowledge Foundation
Gulliver's Travels
Students read and analyze the book, Gulliver's Travels. They develop a reading folder, identify the main story elements, compare/contrast Gulliver's adventures in Lilliput and Brobdingnag, and write a paragraph about the main characters.
Curated OER
Deception and Advertising: When is it Misleading and when is it Puffery?
Eighth graders explore advertisements and deception in advertising. In this marketing and advertising lesson, 8th graders write cause and effect paragraphs describing products, promises made, deceptions caused, and the immediate and...
Curated OER
The Life of a President
Students examine the life of President Gerald R. Ford. After reading an article, they discuss his legacy. They collect articles written during his time in office and examine the key issues of his presidency. They write an article about...
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Current Contexts
Students examine how they are affected by world affairs. After reading an article, they examine Otto Frank's attempts to immigrate to America. Using the New York Times, they identify examples of news, advertisements and photographs...
Curated OER
Making Decisions About Hazardous Waste Cleanup
Students work together to role play a situation which shows the decision-making process in cleaning up hazardous waste. They identify participates in the Superfund and make judgments about how cleanup would help an area. They share...
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A Nation's Voice
Students research the Constitution and the War Powers Act in order to determine what the powers of the government are in times of conflict. They answer a series of questions then write a legal brief either supporting or condemning the...
Curated OER
Creative Problem Solving
Students respond to a situation presented about the wetlands. In this wetlands lesson plan, students understand the various opinions over the use of areas in the wetlands. Students complete a worksheet using critical thinking questions...
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Reformation Simulation
Students discover the Medieval reformation. For this ethics lesson, students simulate council and government bodies to determine responses to various opinions regarding religion and ethics. They determine what postilions to take and why...
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Topical Discussions
Learners share their opinions on controversial topics. They list their arguments and give reasons for thier position. A paper is written to reflect their views.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Understanding the Koreas
Though this resource was designed in 2005, US tension with North Korea remains a relevant topic for exploration and understanding. Unfortunately, this lecture and reading-based lesson plan is unlikely to engage the class. The end product...
Novelinks
Words By Heart: Anticipation Guide
The anticipation guide for Words by Heart is the first of a series of six, contains lesson plans for the activity as well as a handout to be completed individually, in pairs, or as a class. It sparks interest for the text and activates...
US Institute of Peace
Responding to Conflict: Negotiation—Identifying Wants and Needs
Let's make a deal! Are real negotiations as simple as they are in the game show? Scholars learn the art of negotiation during the 8th instructional activity in a series of 15. The activity kicks off with a fun group negotiation, then...
Polk County Public Schools
The Blame Game for the Loss at Pearl Harbor
Known as the day that will live in infamy, the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 was a shock to all. But why was the United States unprepared on that December morning? Study a series of primary sources in a document-based question that...
Curated OER
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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Objective Versus Subjective
Young scholars examine the difference between subjective and objective statements, newscasts, and media. They discover that subjective is opinion based and objective is fact based.
Curated OER
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...
Curated OER
Still Life Painting: Arranging Nature
Students display the two still-life paintings they created along with their artist’s statement, write a review of a peer’s work, and discuss all of the paintings in a group critique. In this still life art instructional activity,...
Curated OER
Express Yourself
Students share opinions about the way students behave. They write letters to the editor responding to an article.
Curated OER
Focusing with Anticipation Guides
Students write with a sharp, distinct focus identifying topic, task and audience. They discuss anticipatory statements with supporting details. Students create an essential question at the beginning of a composition, novel, or unit.
Curated OER
Emotion or Reason?
Students use persuasive devices to construct oral or written arguments. In this arguments lesson, students discuss the types of persuasive devices used in arguments and form groups to select a topic to research. Students create a...
Curated OER
Speak Out!
Students consider their opinions on various topics and issues related to the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Then, focusing on one specific topic, each student supports his or her opinions in a...
Curated OER
Block the Shock Jock or Not?
Pupils examine their own experiences with racist and sexist speech by deciding whether or not they agree or disagree with statements related to this subject. They explore the limits of public speech by reading about the controversy...