National Endowment for the Humanities
Factory vs. Plantation in the North and South
North is to factory as South is to plantation—the perfect analogy for the economy that set up the Civil War! The first lesson in a series of five helps teach beginners why the economy creates a driving force for conflict. Analysis of...
Curated OER
Establshing Class Rules
Second graders review the importance of rules, the consequences that follow broken rules, and the establishment that everyone plays an important role in order for the classroom or community to be safe and orderly.
Curated OER
Representation: Majority rule
Students explore various forms of decision making including majority rule, executive, consensus and autocracy (as well as exploring the power of veto), when they debate a bill in a class parliament.
Curated OER
Rules For Succeeding At Work
Students discuss and list examples of work ethic and job motivation. Appropriate dress for different job types is discussed as well as proper work etiquette including absenteeism and tardiness. Students create rules for succeeding at...
Curated OER
Working Together As a Team
Learners examine the need for rules to keep order at home, in school, in communities, and in the country using trade books and teamwork activities. They work in cooperative groups to define a positive learning community by writing a...
Curated OER
Technology in the Early Education Classroom
Young scholars explore computers. They type their names and use different fonts. They create mini-posters using Kid Pix software and use the Oregon Trail software to discover the westward trek in United States history. They explore...
Judicial Learning Center
Getting Ready for Trial
A courtroom can be a scary place for the uninitiated. Get familiar with the process using a helpful overview of the activities that take place prior to both civil and criminal cases. The lesson explains the differences between...
Curated OER
Clearcutting: Sustainable Forestry?
Students explore the conflicts between the economy and the environment by focusing on forest management in Maine. They read pamphlets on siliviculture and clear-cutting as well as those by environmental groups then conduct a debate on...
Curated OER
School Safety
High schoolers discuss the importance of abiding by the school rules in order to keep safe at school. Students identify why it is important to attend school regularly. This instructional activity is intended for high schoolers...
Curated OER
Trappers Then and Now
Students study how trapping in the Illinois Territory in the 1800's effected the beaver population in the state. They compare methods, rules and regulations of the 1800s to those of today. In groups, they research a variety of...
Curated OER
Line Up Cards
Students practice lining up for class with the help of cards that are coded. The lesson is meant to be an organizational tool to help the teacher organize a class before entering the school building. The teacher could use numbers and...
Curated OER
Making a Connection
Young scholars research why government community workers are important to us. They work in teams to identify and illustrate the jobs and services provided by these community workers. Assessment comes from their Student Concept Maps.
Curated OER
Designing a Civilization for an Art Room
Students discover the ideas of civilizations by researching Gandhi's philosophies. In this art decoration lesson, students investigate Gandhi's opinions on civilizations, community and ethics. Students collaborate by...
Curated OER
Using Adjectives to Write
Fifth graders examine how to write a story using comparative and superlative adjectives. They listen to the book "Pig Pigger Piggest" by Rick Walton and identify the comparative adjectives used in the story. Students then write a rough...
Curated OER
Concrete Poems
First graders listen to several poems containing shapes as well as selected concrete poems. They brainstorm a list of their favorite things and then come up with ten words that relate to the top five things chosen by the students. They...
Curated OER
Euro 2008
Students discover details about the world of British football. In this current events lesson, students browse selected websites to explore the work and history of the game, the Euro 2008, and the business aspects of the game in Britain.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Benjamin and the Way to A Good Life
Young scholars explore American history by reading biographical text in class. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson, students research the famous inventor by reading assigned text and answering reading comprehension questions afterwards....
Curated OER
Underwater Nature Trails
Students research dive sites on an underwater nature trail that would introduce divers to the wonders of the reef surrounding South Caicos. They then recreate each dive site using shoe box diorama and create an information station at...
Curated OER
Dinosaur Research
Second graders research a selected dinosaur. They hand write a paragraph about the dinosaur, describing at least one amazing fact. Students use HyperStudio software to transfer their paragraph into a multimedia presentation.
Curated OER
Endangered Species and Extinction
Fourth graders explore endangered species and extinction. They discuss and write three reasons why it is important to save animals from becoming endangered or extinct. They discuss The Great Kapok Tree and write a letter discussing...