Curated OER
Visual Vocabulary
Students use context clues to determine an understanding for vocabulary words in texts. In this vocabulary lesson plan, students recognize linguistic features in their readings to help them to figure out words.
Curated OER
From Page to Screen
Students consider how xerographic photocopy machines and scanners operate. They discuss and practice using scanners, and brainstorm strategies to increase the efficiency of Google's scanning project.
Curated OER
World Without Oil
Students discover the world of fossil fuels and oil shortages. In this world economy lesson, students read articles on the Internet discussing the world's dependence on oil and the possibility of an extended oil shortage....
Curated OER
Size Riddles
Students investigate shapes and sizes by creating a riddle. In this geometry lesson, students read one of two books and investigate facts about an object's size. Students write a riddle using the facts they have read and cut...
Curated OER
Terrible Things
Young scholars reflect on the Holocaust in two lessons. Using prior knowledge, they investigate and make decisions dealing with human behavior before beginning their studies on the Holocaust. After examining different aspects of the...
Curated OER
Ziplock Chemistry
Students investigate various chemical reactions when creating mixtures in ziplock baggies. In this chemistry lesson, students will recognize various chemical reactions and cite evidence. Safety and assessment strategies are included in...
Curated OER
Matthew Henson: Heroic Explore Who Conquered Racism
Students explore the concept of racism. In this character building instructional activity, students read a biography about a hero Matthew Henson. Students discover the challenges he, and others, faced during a time of...
Curated OER
How Women Got the Vote: The Story of Carrie Lane Chapman Catt
Students participate in a simulation and compare and contrast the arguments for and against womens' right to vote. In this civil rights lesson, students simulate disenfranchisement of women by allowing only half of the class to vote on a...
Curated OER
Making Connections: I Know Why Caged Birds Sing
Students discuss equality and fairness by reading a Maya Angelo poem. In this U.S. history lesson, students read the poem I Know Why Caged Birds Sing, and discuss how the era it was written in affected the words. Students...
Curated OER
The Right and the Power
Students read, discuss and analyze the New York Times article "In Wartime, Who Has the Power?" and relate the article to the Constitution. They then brainstorm how the president and Congress make decisions about the war in Iraq and write...
Curated OER
About the Census
Students interpret a variety of informational texts to gain understanding of basic concepts about how census data are used. In this census lesson, students read maps, complete worksheets, and work in small groups to become aware of...
Curated OER
Random Album Covers
Students design a random album cover. In this album design lesson, students display their photo manipulation skills as they make a cover for an album. They examine covers of albums from classic bands before designing their own.
Curated OER
Parrot in the Oven: Anticipation Guide
Get readers thinking about the major themes in Victor Martinez's award-winning novel, Parrot in the Oven: Mi Vida by asking them to agree or disagree with the prompts on an anticipation guide and to discuss...
Curated OER
Pudd'nhead Wilson: K-W-H-L
Prejudice is the theme of this Pudd'nhead Wilson KWHL chart. Learners fill out their charts, discuss how to find the answers to their questions, and spend some time researching a topic they want to know more about.
Calvin Crest Outdoor School
Survival
Equip young campers with important survival knowledge with a set of engaging lessons. Teammates work together to complete three outdoor activities, which include building a shelter, starting a campfire, and finding directions in the...
Curated OER
Create Your Own Country Project
Young scholars demonstrate their knowledge of geography with this fun, collaborative social studies project. Working in small groups, students develop their very own countries, writing descriptions...
ReadWriteThink
Scaffolding Methods for Research Paper Writing
Rome wasn't built in a day, but researchers can be with proper scaffolding. This writing unit has scholars write a research paper through scaffolding of various parts of the process. Learners begin with identifying a topic and crafting a...
ReadWriteThink
A Picture's Worth a Thousand Words: From Image to Detailed Narrative
A picture's worth a thousand words—and even more inspiration! A visual activity uses photographs to inspire writers. The process teaches aspects of narrative writing, such as point of view and characterization.
Curated OER
Responding To Literature
Students prepare for and respond to literature selections. This package includes nineteen lessons, each covering a different reading selection. Pre-reading and response activities are included for each instructional activity as well as...
Curated OER
After Hamelin
Middle schoolers discuss the story The Pied Piper. In this reading comprehension lesson, students participate in a variety of activities designed to enhance and further their understanding of the story. Middle schoolers...
Curated OER
Writer's Workshop: Mood Endings
Young scholars listen to a story, "My Mama Had A Dancing Heart." They discuss the feeling they had after reading the story and define "mood." Students brainstorm a list of moods and discuss the mood of each character. Afterward, they...
Curated OER
Cooperative Learning Lesson Plans
Cooperative learning activities can help students feel like they are active members of a classroom community.
Curated OER
Using a Preview Checklist with Informational Text
Sixth graders identify information from texts by working in pairs using Wikki Stix or highlighting tape to locate, mark, and read items on preview checklist. Students then compare what they marked with what another pair marked.
Curated OER
Model Lesson Plan
Students, five of the "best" readers in the class, get a script and read over their part of the lesson before they begin to "teach" the class.