Boys Town
More Tools for Teaching Social Skills in School
Put an end to wasted instructional time with this lesson on responsibility and preparedness. After completing this series of activities young scholars will learn the importance of these social skills not only in the classroom, but at...
Overcoming Obstacles
Reading, Listening, and Note Taking
Active listening is all about thinking, asking questions, and making connections. That's the take-away from a instructional activity about active listening. Participants learn techniques for identifying important information, including...
Overcoming Obstacles
Following Instructions
A instructional activity about following directions tests learners' ability with a tricky scenario that will shock unsuspecting participants. After viewing results, scholars discuss why it's important to follow instructions and define...
Curated OER
An Introduction to Jan Brett
Students explore the concept of Jan Brett. In this author study lesson plan, students are introduced to several Jan Brett books with visuals, listening centers, and video. Students browse the internet in search of information about Jan...
Curated OER
The Social Skill of Communication
Fifth graders explore communication by analyzing manners. In this social skills lesson plan, 5th graders review the different forms of communication and how to present yourself in a phone conversation, face to face meeting, e-mail, etc....
Facing History and Ourselves
Preparing Students for Difficult Converstaitons
Many of the issues facing 21st Century learners are challenging and even discussing these issues can be a challenge. So how do teachers prepare learners for these difficult conversations? How do instructors create a safe classroom where...
Facing History and Ourselves
Confirmation and Other Biases
As the investigation into the reporting of the events in Ferguson, Missouri, continues, class members consider how bias influences perception, how the tendency is to collect evidence that supports preconceived notions. The big idea...
Curated OER
Organization and Study Skills
Pupils with special needs utilize organizational skills such as what supplies to bring to class, how to use an assignment notebook, and how long it takes to complete an assignment. They become more independent students, become more...
Curated OER
Who is the Expert? Exploring Credible Sources in Healthcare
How do you decide what sources are credible when researching online? Evaluate sources with a focus on researching health issues. After brainstorming common health concerns and how they would try to diagnose these problems, class members...
Curated OER
All About Me
Students investigate how to communicate about themselves and each other. In this social studies and technology lesson plan, students represent their thoughts regarding themselves and others both on paper and using "Kid Pix".
Media Smarts
The Broadcast Project
As part of a unit on media studies, kids are asked to chart their viewing habits, observe the advertising that sponsors their favorite shows, and then to imagine what they would broadcast if given a block of airtime.
Curated OER
Debate: Is Cheerleading a Sport?
Students research how women are perceived in sports. They debate the issue of whether cheer leading should be considered a sport and are scored on student made rubrics.
Curated OER
Jamestown Journey Part 3
Fourth graders study the economy of Jamestown. In this early settlers lesson, 4th graders read about the trade between the English and the natives in Jamestown. This lesson is part of a larger unit and coincides with the novel The Double...
Curated OER
Professional-like Multimedia Slide Show
Students chose a topic from the current curriculum to develop a PowerPoint presentation about. They present the PowerPoint in a professional manner which includes the way they are dressed and the way they interact with the audience. Each...
Curated OER
Graphing Family Reading Habits
Second graders collect data from their families about their reading habits and graph them. In this graphing family reading habits lesson, 2nd graders interview family members about their reading habits. They then use a graphing computer...
Curated OER
The Patchwork Path
Fourth graders investigate slavery by reading a book with their classmates. In this abolitionist movement instructional activity, 4th graders read the story The Patchwork Path, and discuss the creation of the Underground Railroad....
Curated OER
Lattimer Massacre: What's Beneath the Surface?
Middle schoolers research the growth of unions due to issues related to the Lattimer Massacre. They research primary source documents and create posters, skits and role plays.
Curated OER
Bats Online!
Second graders read books and other resources to learn about bats. In this bats lesson plan, 2nd graders read books and research the internet about bats. Once students learn about bats, they will take an online bat quiz.
Curated OER
Creating a School Web Site
Learners create websites for their school. They work in groups as a web team and devise a self-management plan. As they work on projects reflecting school life, the team edits what may appear online as the school's web site. Writing...
Curated OER
The Kidlink Day Project
Learners create journal entries on-line as part of a "Kidlink Day" activity. Entries are compared and evaluated by their peers. The writing process is practiced in this lesson plan.