Curated OER
Crafting a Character - The Making of Shylock
Students, in groups, analyze the characterization of Shakespeare's Shylock from "Merchant of Venice". They examine text, view movies and interpretative drawings and conduct historical research.
Curated OER
A Piece of the Puzzle
Discover the process of writing a story by comparing it to a puzzle. Begin by examining a diagram shaped like a puzzle which contains important elements of a story. Learners mix and match the pieces with elements of a story they are...
Curated OER
Sparking History
Students create exhibits about patriotic symbols for a living museum. They write reflective essays exploring the themes and symbols of independence and their influences on social responsibility.
Curated OER
Computer Mysteries
Who has been messing with my trampoline? Young writers choose local events as the basis for their own “Who Did It?” mystery. They then devise a plot, problem, and cast of characters and write an introduction explaining the problem and...
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Adjective? What's an Adjective?
Mount a variety of pictures (fantasy, rustic, portraits, action) on large sheets of paper and post them around the classroom. Groups rotate from poster to poster, adding adjectives to describe each of the pictures. Writers use these word...
National Math + Science Initative
Reading an Informational Text: "It All Started with Sputnik"
Sputnik was one of the greatest scientific advancements of the 1950s, and this reading lesson does it justice. Pupils start off with pre-reading questions and a video. They then read an excerpt from an article, which is accompanied by...
Curated OER
Part of a Masterpiece, by John W. Healy
Students step into paintings. In this visual arts instructional activity, students imagine themselves walking through a famous piece of art. Students research the artwork and then use computer programs or artistic methods to literally...
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Introducing the Ghost: Asking Questions and Finding Answers
Students write words that describe the Ghost in Hamlet and act out scenes to grab the audience's attention. In this Hamlet lesson plan, students use language to interpret feeling and grab the audience's attention.
Curated OER
Writing an Analytical Essay From a Supreme Court Case
Critical thinkers read a summary of a United States Supreme Court case, including important background information and the court's final decision. They form an opinion in agreement or disagreement regarding the case and then write an...
Curated OER
Demonstration Speech: How to Prepare to Give a Demonstration
Your class can practice public speaking by demonstrating an original recipe or how-to project. They must include images and speak for at least five to ten minutes. This is a very well outlined instructional activity that will be...
Curated OER
Paradise Lost: Cloze Procedure
Readers participate in a cloze procedure of John Milton’s Paradise Lost. A detailed rationale of and directions for using the procedure are included with the passage template.
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How Does My Government Grow?
Middle schoolers identify the core democratic values. They explain how the values affect their life in America. They also relate the topic of philantrophy to the core values.
PBS
Evolution of the Presidency: Theodore Roosevelt to Franklin D. Roosevelt
How much power should a president be allowed to exert? Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt exercised their power according to their interpretations of the United States Constitution, and these interpretations affected the...
Curated OER
Coast-to-Coast Book Design-Part 4: Let's Create the Pages!
Pupils work in groups to share their lists of A-B-C ideas they came up with from the previous activity. They review page layouts taught during lesson two. Students complete a rough draft of their page. They create a colored illustration...
Curated OER
Coast-to-Coast Book Design-Part 3: Brainstorming the Book
Young scholars examine the process of designing a book and identify the steps necessary to publish a book. In small groups they analyze ABC books, and discuss the similarities and differences between the books. Students then brainstorm...
Curated OER
Personal Timeline
Seventh graders review the stages of the writing process. For this writing process lesson, 7th graders review the writing process steps by creating a personal timeline. Students complete graphic organizers for the lesson and present...
Curated OER
Hero Stories Teach
Students create a slogan. For this heroes lesson, students identify traits from hero stories that match traits of real life heroes. They discuss what lessons they can learn from heroes about courage and come up with a one line slogan...
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Aztec Culture
Students research the Aztec culture in Mexico. They focus on their religious practices. They write a goal to personally sacrifice something. They also write about the costs and benefits of a sacrifice.
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The Magic Words
Students investigate the truth behind several magic tricks by conducting the illusions in class. In this slight of hand lesson, students create an illusion using a coffee can and shoe box. Students perform their trick for friends and...
Curated OER
Poseidon's Protectors to the Rescue
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students explore the Greek mythology story of Poseidon. Students write letters to Poseidon that address water pollution today and express how they...
Curated OER
Investigating Nonprofits
Students investigate nonprofit organizations. In this service learning lesson, students complete information recording forms as they research selected nonprofit organizations. Students use their findings to design promotional posters for...
Curated OER
TO LOVE, HONOR AND OBEY (ONE'S PARENTS!)
Students examine parent-child tensions regarding obedience and communication, in order to explain the conflicts in the opening scene of King Lear. They discuss ways in which expectations for studenT obedience were different in...
Curated OER
Investigating Othello: Peeling Away Layers of Meaning
Students analyze piece of literature by looking at it from one perspective and then by re-evaluating what they have discovered when other layers of meaning are added.
Curated OER
Lesson One: Characterizing Philanthropic People
Familiarize your class with philanthropy and involve individuals in philanthropic activities. First, determine the traits of philanthropic people. Class members attach sticky notes with character traits written on them to each side of at...