Academy of American Poets
We Sing America
Pair the famous poems "I Hear America Singing," by Walt Whitman, and "I, Too, Sing America," by Langston Hughes, with a more recent poem by Elizabeth Alexander called "Praise Song for the Day" to demonstrate a theme and introduce your...
Curated OER
How to Locate and Evaluate Information, Part III - Internet Sites
This is the third in a series of lessons scaffolding the research paper. It purports to teach researchers how to evaluate internet sites, but the lack of links, specific criteria, or site evaluation rubrics would require additional...
Curated OER
Book Plus Games Equals Book-aims
Research and incorporate gaming elements into the design of books for the 21st century. Young authors investigate why reading is important and good for individuals. In addition, they graph out the least exciting features of games and books.
Curated OER
Modern Makeovers
Learners consider what "modern" means and explore memories and opinions about the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. They design or renovate a local building for the 21st century.
New York State Education Department
TASC Transition Curriculum: Workshop 1
Work out your core, Common Core State Standards, through the first workshop in a series of 15 designed for educators. Inquiry-based activities designed for all content areas and grade levels explore the shifts to new standards,...
Curated OER
China Dolphin Extinction
Students read, analyze and critique a newspaper article about report claims that dolphins are now extinct in China's Yangtze river. They assess key vocabulary terms within the article and discuss how to design a perfect animal for the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Charles Baudelaire: Poète Maudit (The Cursed Poet)
After learning the main ideas of the Decadent movement, learners work in small groups to read and translate poems by the French poet Charles Baudelaire using basic etymology skills. They then read the accurate English translations to see...
Curated OER
Students Speak Up
Learners reflect on their use of technology for learning and communication both inside and outside of school. They consider how their math, science, and technology education is preparing them for future success. They discuss their...
Curated OER
It's All Greek to Me!
While the ideas for Ancient Greek research are solid, there is little detail to help make your job easier. The focus here is familiarizing your class with online databases and print resources in their school library. After direct...
Curated OER
African Animals A-Z
African animals A-Z are on parade in this activity, which provides teachers with a year's worth of coloring and spelling sheets for little writers. Popular animals, such as dolphins and elephants, have their own coloring pages, as well...
Curated OER
How to Teach Dolch Words with Kid Pix
Students use KidPix computer program to learn Dolch sight words. In this technology and language lesson, students type their Dolch sight words into KidPix to create a quasi-sentence.
Curated OER
Ben Franklin
Young scholars meet Ben Franklin and research his life accomplishments. In this lesson about the history of Benjamin Franklin, students will visit several websites in order to learn about this Founding Father. Young scholars follow a...
Curated OER
Henry David Thoreau
Students explore the life and philosophy of Henry David Thoreau. Students watch a slide show on Henry David Thoreau. They visit a quiet, tranquil location and observe nature. After reading and discussing Thoreau's works, students create...
Curated OER
Robert Boyle and Religion
High schoolers discuss past cultures and the history of ideas in seventeenth century science. They answer a list of questions and prepare for a debate on the subjects of science and religion and views on how the universe was created.
Curated OER
Marriage of Visual and Thematic Aspects of Herbert's Poetry
Eighth graders study the visual aspects of poetry and write a poem using the white space to form a poem into the shape of a plus sign.
Curated OER
Students Speak Up
Students share the ways they use technology at school and at home. In groups, they discuss how their study of math, science and technology is helping to prepare them for future jobs. They share their findings with the class and develop...
Curated OER
Incredible Inventions That Make A Difference
Sixth graders use reading and research skills to retrieve and synthesize information about inventions that have made an impact in their lives. They complete a horizontal timeline adding a picture or graphic above each date.
Curated OER
What Do You Think? Analyzing Points of View About an Issue
"How might multiple perspectives of standardized testing impact me as a student?" is an example of an essential question that a researcher might use as a basis for this lesson on how to research and present a written stance on a...
Curated OER
May the Force Be With(in) You
Students explore the characterization of heroes and their representation of the values and beliefs of the society in which they are created. They first examine the creation of the 'Star Wars' heroes and plots, and then develop their own...
Curated OER
Settling Down
Students investigate the Umoja shantytown in Miami, Florida as well as other shantytowns around the world in order to create a Web site bringing awareness to the issue of slum dwelling.
Curated OER
What Were They Thinking Then, What Are We Thinking Now?
Choosing an issue from a play or novel, researchers find two primary sources from different time periods to compare how people's views have changed. Many questions are listed to guide young writers. In the end, learners produce a...
Curated OER
Find Figurative Language
Meet with the school library specialist and work together to plan a visit and presentation on figurative language. After defining and examining examples of targeted terms, the class travels to the library where the SL has collected...
Curated OER
Finding Your Way Using QR Codes
If you are taking your class on a library tour, use this scavenger hunt activity to spice it up. Although this hunt isn't actually attached (like the lesson says it is), you will get a good idea of how to implement a task like this....
Curated OER
Analyzing Sonnets
Model for your class how to craft an analysis of a sonnet by examining the literary techniques used, the background of the poet, and critical reviews of the poem. As guided practice, learners are assigned a sonnet, complete a preliminary...