Michigan Sea Grant
Exploring Watersheds
Collaboratively, students partake in a hands-on activity in which they build models of a watershed. Each group member draws an elevation map—a bird's eye view—of their model and predicts how water will flow from the high to low points....
Curated OER
What is Economics? An Economic Board Game
Students learn the fundamental concepts of economics as it relates to government.
Curated OER
Vital Signs
Students research health-related topics such as good nutrition, exercise, and the human body. They analyze their data and distribute it through the use of the Internet.
Curated OER
Inferring Themes
Fifth graders practice making inferences on various types of reading material. As a class, they develop a definition of the word "theme" and discuss themes for some of their favorite stories. They use the context of the reading...
Curated OER
Fifty States
Fifth graders find each state and its capital city on a map before memorizing the information. They work in small groups after watching a modeled lesson by the teachers. They write a statement about their assigned states and capital...
Curated OER
Workers on Sea and on Land
Middle schoolers use photos of sailors and workers in the shipbuilding industry as a reference point to generate questions and investigate the working conditions for resource industry workers in 19th and 20th centruy Atlantic Canada and...
Curated OER
Moose Traveler
Students collaborate and write a story about a Moose that travels across country. The adventure would take place in their state and each chapter would include information about the state. Other schools across the states could participate...
Curated OER
Choose Your Own Adventure
Students investigate the historical underground railroad. They also access technology to conduct research and write stories with the railroad as part of the historical fiction. The cumulative assessment is the creation of a book that...
Curated OER
Philanthropy in Literature Lesson 2: Common Good
Students listen to a number of children's books that describe private citizens participating in acts of kindness, sharing their time, talent or treasure. They identify the characters, problems, and solutions in the books.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Kindness in the Classroom: Kindness Curriculum: Social & Emotional Learning Competencies
The Kindness Curriculum addresses the Social Emotional Learning Competencies from the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards in the areas of Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Focus Attention, Social Awareness, and Relationship Skills....
Other
Social Psychology Network: Jigsaw Classroom
The "official web site of the jigsaw classroom",- a cooperative learning technique which was developed by Elliot Aronson. The jigsaw approach is considered to promote better learning, improve student motivation, and increase enjoyment of...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Asu: Compass for Courage
COMPASS uses collaborative game-based learning to teach youth research-backed strategies to manage worries, solve problems, build relationships, and face stressful situations with confidence. This six-lesson plan has shown to improve...
Edutopia
Edutopia: How to Use Play for Learning
Play is a primary and integral mode through which children make sense of the world, and that it is essential to their development and well-being. This article offers ideas on how to balance play and academic expectations in your classroom.
Other
Global Kids Connect: Teamwork [Pdf]
Global Kids Connect provides this instructional activity on the value of teamwork and the importance of understanding other cultures, specifically that of Afghanistan. This instructional activity can be used in a Social Studies, Language...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood: Life's Little Lessons: Friendship
Just like Daniel Tiger and Miss Elaina, the children in your classroom are still learning how to be a friend, how to compromise, and how to work together to solve a problem. By seeing how Daniel Tiger and Miss Elaina work out their...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Art Pals: Donkey Hodie
Donkey Hodie and her pals are making art projects from materials found around Someplace Else. As they play and create their art projects, children practice collaboration, cooperation and perspective-taking. In the classroom, teachers can...
Other
Appalachian State Univ.: Journal Reprint: Internet and Blog Publishing [Pdf]
Information, ideas, and examples of how technology can be used in a Social Studies classroom. Although designed for a fourth-grade classroom, many ideas in this article are applicable and adaptable for various grade levels and other...