Nosapo
Writing Prompt: Write About a Photo
Practice descriptive writing with a prompt that includes a photograph. Writers craft the whole story of the single second caught in a photo using the provided questions to prompt their imaginations.
Curated OER
What are the Components of a Good Interview?
Class members develop interview questions and then one volunteer interviews a new principal (the instructor) while the entire class watches and takes notes. Participants then individually consider an interesting angle from which the...
Curated OER
Sunderland: Discovering Cities
Scholars investigate a local city (Sunderland) by participating in a discussion. They explore the different elements of the UK city by identifying the industrial and economic aspects. They also read an interview of two people speaking...
Curated OER
A Different Drummer
Eighth graders investigate philosophy and meditation techniques by discussing Emerson and Thoreau. In this philosophical traditions lesson, 8th graders identify the men Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, their work, and their...
Curated OER
Fair Judgment
Students consider the demands of the judicial process and work in small groups to write editorials in response to the one that is read in class. For homework, they grade a television judge and write reflective essays.
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Oklahoma Stone Soup
Students discover the history of the Oklahoma Territory and what foods cowboys used to eat while on the move. In this culinary lesson, students read the ingredients to Oklahoma Stone Soup and prepare them in a crock pot over the course...
Curated OER
Media Awareness: Key Concepts in Advertising
Students examine the basic concepts of advertising. In this media awareness instructional activity, students discuss target audience, art, and purpose in advertising to determine what makes an advertisement effective or ineffective. ...
Curated OER
Who? What? Why? - Using Interrogative Pronouns
Interrogative pronouns are an important part of learning the interrogative sentence form. Middle schoolers learn about using interrogative pronouns in sentence writing, and use what they read to answer the nineteen questions on the...
Curated OER
Breaking News: Nissan to Make Future New York Taxis
Learners explore current events by completing worksheet activities. In this transportation lesson, students read a news article discussing Nissan's new contract to create New York Taxis due to their improved fuel economy. Learners answer...
NPR
Distracted by Everything - Being Wired at All Times
This multimedia activity challenges media-savvy learners to look at the critical issue concerning the inundation of technology and multitasking in the classroom, and its effects on the education of themselves and others. The tasks...
Curated OER
Rave Reviews
A fun instructional activity that utilizes toys and persuasion! After reading the article, which was written in 2005, pull some advertisements for toys currently being sold. These will be more relevant to your middle and high schoolers....
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Asking the Right Questions
Students explore interviewing skills. In this journalism lesson, students examine "good" and "bad" interview questions and discuss both. Students then practice interviewing partners in the classroom.
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Adventures in Africa
Students research Africa and prepare an advertisement about travelling to the continent. In this African travel lesson, students research a country in Africa and write an advertisement that encourages travel to the country. Students...
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Daily Life in Virginia
Students explore colonization in North America. In this United States history lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation about indentured servants and slave labor, then construct a related Venn diagram. Students answer questions...
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African-American Participation in Wars and Conflicts
Students research the enlistment of African Americans, including particular divisions and individuals, in different conflicts. They, in groups, research past American military conflicts, and report on the experience of African Americans...
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Propaganda/Stereotypes Used in the Media
Learners write a character sketch on a television character who they feel is a stereotype. In this propaganda/stereotype lesson, students discuss the definition of the terms and ways that the media uses both. Learners relate the use of...
Curated OER
Vocabulary Charades
Students explore new vocabulary words by participating in a group activity. In this vocabulary role-playing lesson, students collaborate in groups to play a game of charades with new vocabulary words. Students are given points based on...
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About Life: The Photographs of Dorothea Lange Image as Metaphor
Students define metaphor in both art and writing. In this metaphor lesson, students examine a photograph by Dorothea Lange and discuss the metaphor that is displayed in the picture. They write about an object that symbolizes a personal...
Curated OER
Words In the News Anne Bancroft Dies
Students complete vocabulary building and word work exercises prior to reading an online article. They complete worksheets and an online quiz. They examine the use of homophones. They compare articles about famous people and write...
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Veterans' Voyages
Introduce your middle and high schoolers to a different perspective on war: that of soldier's. Read Guisseppi Ungaretti's poem "Vigil" to kick-start this lesson plan. After discussing his perspective, read "The Screaming Eagles Fly to...
Curated OER
Role Play Debate
Suggested topics for a role play debate include school uniforms and culpability for drunk driving, but any issue of interest to your class will work. What are the hot issues in your community or on the news right now? Class members...
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Getting Well
Scholars share ideas about health topics relevant to teens. They read posts on Well, the Times health blog, and produce their own health blog featuring teen health issues. In addition, they read and discuss the article "Well: A Times...
The New York Times
Stress Less: Understanding How Your Mind and Body Respond to Anxiety
What could be more relevant to teens and preteens than experiencing stress? Use an article from the New York Times website to practice valuable Common Core skills for informational text reading, and also get a discussion going in your...
Curated OER
Basil Heatter, "The Long Night of the Little Boats"
“It was a miracle.” Basil Heatter’s “The Long Night of the Little Boats,” which details the miraculous rescue of the British army from the shores of Dunkirk in 1940, is featured in a series of exercises that ask class members to read,...