Curated OER
Shades of Meaning
Young scholars use words with similar meanings to analyze implied meanings. In this word connotation lesson, the teacher introduces the activity by asking students whether a new product should be advertised as "newfangled" or...
The New York Times
Revolt! Comparing Historical Revolutions
What elements are needed to have a revolution? How do historical revolutions from across the globe and generations compare with one another? This is an excellent activity that incorporates group work, source analysis, and an engaging...
Curated OER
Emotional Speed with Balls and Ramps
Fifth graders investigate the relationship between mass and speed. For this physics lesson, 5th graders experiment with motion by being given a ramp, two balls, and blocks or books for elevation. Students determine how different...
Curated OER
Using Authentic Texts to Teach Vocabulary
Students read an article identifying any new vocabulary words they are unfamiliar with. Using the text, they discover antonyms, synonyms and word families. They answer comprehension questions and review the vocabulary to end the lesson.
Curated OER
The Power of Words in Charlotte's Web
"How can a few good words save a pig's life?" Posed with this question, your ELD students explore E.B. White's Charlotte's Web in a meaningful, valuable way. By analyzing specific word choice from the book, especially the excerpts...
Curated OER
Where is Shirley the Elephant?
Young animal lovers engage in a lesson that's all about elephants. They access an elephant sanctuary website and read a story about Shirley the elephant. They perform a series of activities based upon that story, and also study about the...
Facing History and Ourselves
Tactics of Nonviolence
Students analyze the direct action tactics of nonviolence. As a class, they distinguish between a strategy and a tactic and identify tactics used during the civil rights movement. They relate these tactics and how they might be used to...
Ed Change
Understanding the Depth and Breadth of "Multicultural"
Students examine the concept of multicultural. They identify the characteristics of culture. They answer questions to complete the lesson.
Curated OER
What’s the Shape of Your Diet?
Students analyze their diets. For this healthy diet activity, students keep food journals and examine their diets next to the recommended daily allowances of MyPyramid for Kids.
Curated OER
Equilibrium: What Is It?
Tenth graders investigate chemical, physical and mechanical equilibrium. In this equilibrium lesson, 10th graders participate in a physical activity to show equilibrium by some students standing and some students sitting at the same...
Curated OER
Temperature Scales
Eighth graders explore how to read a thermometer. They convert temperature between Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin. Students explain that Celsius is used in the Scientific community and Fahrenheit is used basically only in the United...
Curated OER
Miss Alaineus Lesson Plan
Students gain an understanding of various literary devices and strengthen their vocabulary. In this Miss Alaineus lesson plan, students read the vocabulary tale, discuss the use of literary devices and choose from 4 possible culminating...
Curated OER
Those Cells Look Good Enough to Eat
Students explore the parts of the cell. In this cell lesson, students use foods to create cell models that represent the nucleus, cytoplasm, cell membrane, mitochondria, ribosomes, vacuoles, endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi bodies...
Curated OER
Working Watermelon
You're going to wish you had a watermelon for this activity! Class members read about watermelons and make a salad in class to sample. They also perform estimates, measurements and calculations on a watermelon. They predict what...
Curated OER
Defining Philanthropy -- Who's Phil's Aunt Trophy?
Students identify and define key terms associated with philanthropy. They list ways in which people can give to help others. They finally name philanthropic organizations they are familiar with.
Curated OER
Context Clues Lesson Plan
Learners are introduced to four strategies of context clues. While reading, they use all four strategies in different sections of the reading to determine the meaning of words they are unfamiliar with. To end the lesson, they share new...
Curated OER
What do Bison Eat?
Students identify the three major categories of food eaten by bison. In groups, they collect examples of grass and forbs and press them. They complete a chart of the percentages of each type of food the bison eat in a day. They...