National First Ladies' Library
Finding Treasure Island; An Exciting Escape
Young scholars read Treasure Island. They have a choice of a number of activities associated with the novel, including writing a review of the book. Students also participate in a National Geographic High Seas Adventure, going on an...
Curated OER
Holocaust Theme
Middle schoolers complete a unit of lessons on the events of the Holocaust during WWII. They write daily journal entries, create a collage, view and discuss videos, read and analyze novels and poetry, and complete a novel project.
Curated OER
Ho Ho Poetry
Students read about the sights and sounds of a Las Vegas Christmas. They use words and phrases taken from articles in a recent issue of the New York Times to create a holiday-themed "found Poem."
Curated OER
The Science of Sleep and Daily Rhythms: Sleeping in Space
Students write about strange places that they have slept. In this sleep science lesson students read about astronauts sleeping experience in space. They reflect on unusual places that they have slept and write about it.
Curated OER
An Analysis of Jim Crow Laws and their Effects on Race Relations
First graders analyze the role of the Jim Crow laws on race relations. As a class, they are segregated based on the color shirt they have or some other simple criteria and wear either a square or circle sticker representing the majority...
University of New Mexico
ESL - Thematic Unit Plan
Students read a variety of poetry books together in small groups. They examine Haiku poetry and share their favorites. They write their own Haiku either individually in a pair. They read and discuss limericks and work on writing their own.
Curated OER
Caterpillars To Butterflies
Students observe the life cycle of a butterfly. They read butterfly/caterpillar themed books. They sequence the lifecycle from eggs on a leaf to an adult butterfly. They release their butterflies into a natural habitat after singing and...
Curated OER
Composting Conundrum
Learners research cafeteria composting. In this composting lesson, students design a vessel that would allow the cafeteria staff to collect food scraps for composting. Then learners build a prototype and present it to the class. Lastly...
Curated OER
Dispel Myths, Save Lives
Students explore the reality of underage drinking. In this underage drinking lesson plan, students read the USA Today article titled 'Dispel Myths, Save Lives,' respond to discussion questions regarding the article, and complete an...
Curated OER
Smile Smarts Oral Health Curriculum
Students are given information on good oral health and tooth protection that is appropriate to their age and lifestyle. They discuss how adult permanent teeth are meant to last the rest of their life. Students are given a copy of "Teeth...
Curated OER
Plankton
Students research phytoplankton and zooplankton. In this food chain instructional activity, students read This is the Sea That Feeds Us and discuss plankton, food chains, and webs. Students define phytoplankton and compare them to land...
Curated OER
Sunny or Shady?
Students practice answering questions to aid in creating meaning when reading. Through guided practice, they read a passage from the chapter book "Tuck Everlasting" and answer in-text and inference questions. Independently, they read...
Curated OER
Deep or Shallow
Third graders practice answering questions to aid in creating meaning when reading. Through guided practice, they read a passage from a chapter book and answer in-text and inference questions. Independently, they read another chapter...
Curated OER
What Do You Know About Horseshoe Crabs?
Students create a learning tool based on information given on the assigned website. In this ocean life lesson, students read about the horseshoe crab and develop a worksheet, scavenger hunt, board game or any tool to aid learning. They...
Curated OER
You're History
Students write personal histories. In this historical analysis lesson, students explore their own places in history as they read the diaries of others and write their own.
Curated OER
USA Today Lesson: "Meth" Moves East
Young scholars explore methamphetamine use. In this health journalism lesson plan, students read the USA Today article titled "Meth Moves East", respond to discussion questions regarding the article, and complete an activity based on the...
iCivics
Drafting Board: Kids and Credit
Should kids under the age of 18 be given access to credit cards? Learners identify pros and cons of using credit, develop claims based on evidence, and finally argue reasons for or against credit for minors.
Curated OER
Create a Book About Your Town
Students explore how to create books about their towns. They read and discuss Katy and the Big Snow to identify how it relates to their community. They identify environmental print and its importance in early readers. They create books...
Curated OER
Using a Graphic Organizer to Critically Observe Televised News Broadcasts
Students compare two television news broadcasts. They discuss how to organize information when comparing two objects and read and discuss two books to create a Venn diagram to compare both books. After creating the diagram, they view...
Curated OER
HIV/AIDS Education
Students in an ESL class listen to a song about HIV/AIDs in English. During the song, they write down examples of situations in which a friends did something for them. They work with a partner to create a dialogue that someone can have...
Curated OER
Use Literature to Teach Tolerance
Students listen as teachers read a different book or a different passage that focuses on the theme of tolerance. Students then write a paragraph each day to tell how that day's book/passage taught them the importance of tolerance.
Curated OER
All You Need Is Love
Students discuss the differences between adult love and teenage love. After reading an article, they explore a relationship that began as teenagers and ended in marriage later in life. In groups, they create posters about famous...
Curated OER
Self-Control Starts With You
Students develop a definition for self-control and explore how practicing self-control can lead to other positive character traits. They read and discuss examples of student behaviors that exhibit self-control and those that don't.
Curated OER
Characters' Coming of Age
Students develop older versions of child or adolescent characters from favorite works of literature, adapting them for teenage or adult sequels. They each outline a sequel and write its first chapter.