Curated OER
The Wind Blew
Learners look at a picture book and observe what the facial expressions show. In this character's feelings instructional activity, students write what they think the character might be saying on each page and the punctuation they use. ...
English Banana
Job Advertisements
In this working with a partner instructional activity, students observe four job advertisements from a newspaper with missing parts in each ad and communicate verbally to discover the missing sections, and fill in the blanks. Students...
Curated OER
Are You For Real?
Students try to find newspaper and magazine articles that are informative or persuasive. They practice determining the differences between the two types of articles. They identify the devices authors use to persuade the audience.
Curated OER
What's Civil About War?
Students study about the Civil War through primary sources used in the PBS production of "Freedom: A History of US" based on Joy Hakim's books, "A History of US", and the companion PBS Web site.
Curated OER
Endangered!
Young scholars research endangered species. In this ecology and literacy research lesson, students work with a partner to research an endangered species of their choice. Young scholars choose from a variety of presentation methods and...
Curated OER
Depression
Fifth graders discuss feelings and depression and brainstorm ways to seek help. In this health lesson, the teacher leads a discussion about emotions focusing on when emotions are balanced and when they become unbalanced and a person can...
Curated OER
Flight Dreams - Flight Factors
Young scholars investigate the physics of flight by experimenting in class. In this history of flight lesson, students define terms such as gravity, lift, and drag in order to better understand how a plane is able to stay in the air....
Curated OER
Land, Liberty and the Struggle for the American Dream
Students investigate equality by reading a historical fiction book in class. In this civil rights lesson, students read the story Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry with their classmates and define the Jim Crow Laws that kept blacks...
Curated OER
Mock Investigation
Students explore detective investigations. In this introduction to mysteries lesson, students role play eye witnesses and investigators related to a "crime" committed in their classroom. Students collect evidence and record information,...
Curated OER
Character Analysis Lessons
Graphic organizers can be a great tool to help students understand character analysis.
Curated OER
Get Everyone Reading and Talking About Books
You can promote the love of reading with creative projects.
Curated OER
Words in the News
Students brainstorm ideas about the life of Buddihist monks through the internet or temples. The teacher identifies key terms and has the students look them up for meaning and put them in their notebook. The students then have a...
Curated OER
Beginning With Writing; Convey Ideas in Writing
Walk young writers through the process of creating an initial writing sample for their portfolio. They determine their purpose, organize their ideas, and then create a draft. The lesson includes worksheets and online resources to aid in...
Curated OER
Language Arts: Reading Non-Fiction
Students read and view information sent from seven high school students who travel to China. The daily reports that they send back to the weblog section of the site should be of high interest to students in Minnesota.
Curated OER
Minnesota-China Connections: Writing Prompts
Students write a short essay in response to a writing prompt related to a theme or issue raised within the Minnesota-China Connection Web site.
Curated OER
Recognizing Signs in Public Places
Young scholars explore symbols by identifying public signage. In this public safety lesson, students view flashcards of everyday road, fire and food signs while discussing their function and purpose. Young scholars record and identify...
Curated OER
Moccasins are Made for Dancing
Students perform a traditional Native American dance. In this cultural dance instructional activity, students research two Native American dances. Students discuss the relationship between the dances and Native American culture. ...
Curated OER
Reading a Local and National Weather Map
Students investigate weather maps. For this weather lesson, students discover the meaning of different weather icons and symbols. Working independently, students use the local forecast to correctly label a state map.
Curated OER
Origami
Students investigate Japanese culture by creating origami. In this Asian heritage lesson, students utilize the Internet to view origami tutorials which they use to create birds and other animals. Students discuss what "heritage" means...
Curated OER
ESL Activity - Authentic Cooking Experience
Students encounter imperatives used for the instructions for this cooking experience. They review selected vocabulary terms for food and the process of cooking. Students identify adverbs of sequence (first, then, etc.). They follow the...
Curated OER
Voice Trait: Who Is Talking?
Students recognize the difficulty of knowing who wrote a letter from the envelope. In this writing "voice" lesson, students understand the meaning of voice in writing and detect who the writers are in a worksheet.
Curated OER
Chocolate Math
Students practice solving math equations by analyzing chocolate recipe measurements. In this chocolate baking math lesson, students read about the Hershey factory and recipes used to create chocolate bars. Students solve problems and...
Curated OER
Food Labels Lesson
Students analyze nutrition by completing an interactive activity with classmates. In this food choice lesson, students discuss the importance foods have on our daily lives by keeping us healthy and giving us energy. Students examine food...
Curated OER
Dog Gone Good Note Cards
Students conduct research on a chosen dog breed using the card catalog and the Internet. They create at least three note cards with information about their dog breed.