National First Ladies' Library
Writing (and Rewriting!) History
Middle schoolers differentiate between fiction and non-fiction, discuss historical fiction, which combines both genres, choose historical novel from list and read independently, and write original short stories that combine elements of...
Curated OER
Multimedia Book Report
Young readers plan and draft a book report focusing on the five key components of a novel: plot, character, setting, conflict, and theme. After completing a story board, pupils then prepare a PowerPoint book report that is shown to the...
Curated OER
Historical Fiction: Persuasive Presentation
Fifth graders read a book addressing a specific historical time period that was chosen by their working group. They complete journal entries as they read the book. They create a group PowerPoint explaining the personal point of view and...
Mr. Arnayro
California Missions Project
Looking for alternative options to the traditional California missions project? This is the resource for you!
Curated OER
Investigating Fables
Time for a story! Learners of all ages enjoy listening to stories, so read them some common fables and have them work cooperatively to create a fable. Differentiate for varying ability levels by providing sentence frames, graphic...
Curated OER
The Russian Revolution
Students explore the Russian Revolution through dramatization. In this Russian Revolution lesson, students participate in drama workshops prior to writing and presenting one-act plays featuring figures of the revolution.
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Historical Perspectives Through the Eyes of Young People
Students gather knowledge about various roles of students in different cultures and eras. Students research their choice of eras and create a personal artwork to express the tone of the selected era.
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Ancient Rome
Learners investigate information about the leaders of Rome. In this ancient Rome lesson, students research Roman warfare and military leaders in order to write and present their own one-act plays based on Scipio, Hannibal, Julius Caesar,...
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Build Your Own Adventure
Sixth graders write a narrative. They choose options for plot and climax within the context of an outdoor survival story.
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Panama Canal
Students investigate a way to sail a boat around the world without touching land while learning about the Panama Canal. In this Panama Canal lesson plan, students learn about the relationship of socio-political continents and how the...
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Video Boxes
Students create a video box about a Central American country. In this world history instructional activity, student research Central America and pick a country they want to investigate. They work in groups to create a video box that...
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Mariachi Mania
Students play the beats of mariachi music. In this mariachi lesson plan, students listen to mariachi music and discuss why music is important.
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Slavery and the Underground Railroad
Third graders discover racism in our country by investigating the Internet. In this abolitionist movement lesson, 3rd graders define the Underground Railroad and participate in an activity by logging on to an on-line History website. ...
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Take the Lead — Get the Lead Out
High schoolers research about the physiological effects of prolonged lead exposure. In this chemistry lesson plan, students investigate the lead content of different paint, soil and water samples. They analyze data trends and share their...
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Color My World
Fourth graders write poems using color to describe their feelings and environment. After viewing a sample student poem imbedded in this plan, 4th graders utilize The Student Writing Center educational software program to type their poem.
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Famous Peacemakers ~ Creating a Declaration of Peace
Students read about famous peacemakers and identify their characteristics. They reseach a peacemaker they are interested in. They create a Declaration of Peace to share with the community.
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Nina Bonita: Culture and Beauty
Students read Nina Bonita by Ana Maria Machado. In this reading comprehension/ geography lesson, students recall various parts of the story and create a map of where the rabbit traveled throughout the story. They participate in group...
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Great Questions for Tic Tac Toe
Fourth graders plan their own activities to reinforce the concepts being taught in school. The tic-tac-toe grid is used to help students create innovative learning activities to generate ideas.