Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living in our Family

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Young scholars study the language, heritage, traditions, and customs of other cultures by becoming member of simulated families in other parts of the world.
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

There's Only How Much? Rationing in World War II

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students discuss the idea of rationing as a restriction on the amount of something or the frequency with which something may be purchased or used in order to contribute to the greater good of the group which was what happened during...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Au Marche Sandaga a Dakar

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
A 3-day French lesson targeting food shopping vocabulary. It is designed for elementary French learners pretending to communicate with merchants in a small village outside of Dakar. The plan follows a class reading of the picture book,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Go Shopping

For Teachers K - 4th
Students review and identify common vocabulary related to food, shopping, and courtesy expressions. Students then practice English language skills by shopping in classroom market while playing roles of shoppers and store personnel.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

On the Road with Marco Polo: Homecoming

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students role play as Marco Polo to detail his travels. They include the terrains, foods, religions, people and cultures that were encountered. They write a journal entry as if they were Marco Polo detailing one aspect of his travels.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Under the Blood-Red Sun

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore U.S. history by reading an award winning book about World War II. In this Japanese internment camp lesson, 5th graders read the book Under the Blood-Red Sun and discuss the entrapment of Japanese-Americans on our...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visitons Le Café! (Let's Visit the Café!)

For Teachers K - 8th
Students become familiar with basic French cafémenu items by viewing pictures of various foods and drinks and identifying them in French, and practice proper pronunciation by ordering foods in French, while taking turns role playing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stress Management

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Stressed? Stressed students? Check out a lesson that includes a checklist of causes of stress, suggestions for ways to deal with stress, and a role-play activity. Definitely worth a look.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Fastest Pig in the West in the Classroom: Zodiac Signs

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Young scholars explore Chinese culture by reading a story with their class. In this astrology lesson, students read a chapter from the book The Fastest Pig in the West and discuss the relevance of the Chinese zodiac in modern society....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An International Menu

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students research etymologies using dictionaries. They explore the diverse origins of the common foods they eat after making a list of their favorite foods.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plants and Animals, Partners in Pollination

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students participate in multiple hands-on activities to explore reproduction and pollination. In groups, using a cotton swab and powder, students simulate being pollinators and plants. They name the parts of the flowers and the function...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a play to work on seeing events from a different perspective. Some of them are reporters, some cameramen and women, and others are interviewed. They put themselves in the shoes of the people in the book...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diwali

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars participate in the retelling of a story. After reading the story Diwali, students working in groups retell the significant events in the story through role play. In addition, they discuss the significance of the Hindu...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars work in groups to imagine, research and simulate a dinner party involving an author, a fictional character, and a significant historical figure as dinner guests. The activity uses Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

FLEECE AS WHITE AS SNOW?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Hand out student worksheets. Discuss and review the meaning of the vocabulary words found at the top of the worksheet. Ask students for general definitions, then share the background material. 2. Have students read the information on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Speaking for the Trees

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students present a play based on The Lorax.In this environmental issues lesson, students read and discuss literature and complete activities pertaining to environmental stewardship.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introducing Biodiversity

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners investigate biodiversity by creating reports with their classmates.  In this ecosystem lesson, students utilize the Internet to research the different types of life in our environment and different locations around the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Business of Design

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students visit the Design for the Other 90% exhibition. In this design lesson, student learn how to design for the population of the world that is poor or impoverished. In addition, students read New York Times articles and watch videos...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (Kansas) (Grades K-3)

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students examine the Brown v. Board of Education case in Topeka, Kansas. They re-enact the courtroom and discuss how school would be different today if this case never existed. They discuss how public education has been affected by this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Colonial America

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discover the history of Colonial America by creating a class presentation.  In this U.S. History lesson, students utilize the Internet to research one of 20 topics in which they will create a PowerPoint or other type of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Day in the Life of a Leprechaun

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate creative writing by reading Leprechaun stories. In this Irish culture lesson, students listen as their teacher describes what a leprechaun is and where the idea for the creature came from. Students write a fictional...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microbes and Health

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders become acquainted with the concept of how microorganisms cause disease. They role play that some class members have exhibited some alarming symptoms. Groups must determine which disease the symptoms are pointing to.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History in the Making: The Tortilla

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the history of the tortilla and extend the study across the curriculum. In this history of the tortilla lesson, 4th graders research the background of the tortilla, determine the ingredients, and work with the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Field of Beans

For Teachers 1st - 4th Standards
Beans, or legumes as they are sometimes called, are the topic for an integrated multi-subject lesson. Youngsters will read, write, observe, and research everything there is to know about beans. They read a bean story, conduct a bean...