Curated OER
Thanksgiving Unit
Second graders identify: why the Pilgrims came to America; how they adjusted to life in America; what impact the Native Americans had on the survival of the Pilgrims; and what events brought about the First Thanksgiving.
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Thanksgiving: Bird Evolution
Learners explore the evolution of birds. In this biology lesson, students research articles that discuss evidence about the ancestry of birds. They discuss their findings with the group and draw a journal magazine cover highlighting...
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Welcoming Wall Hangings
Students discover which colors are customary to use at weddings and specific holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas. Using fabric, they make their own design related to a holiday of their choice. To end the lesson, they hang them...
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Pumpkin Problems
Students participate in a lesson that has the intention of working on estimation skills. They use pumpkins to estimate the number of seeds are inside. They collect data for each pumpkin and compare it to the estimation. Students question...
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Strawberry Thanksgiving
Students identify what a harvest celebration is and its purpose. They demonstrate their understanding of a legend. They identify a relationship in which they need to apologize or forgive another person.
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Falling Leaves
Students create a painting of falling leaves. In this art lesson plan, students collect fallen leaves and paint over them using tempera or water color paint to make an outline. Students continue painting the leaves until their paper is...
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Popcorn History
Young scholars investigate the history of popcorn. They research the history of popcorn using the internet. Students work in small groups to create a timeline outlining the history of popcorn.
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Developing Tactile Skills
Students use their tactile abilities to determine items. In this tactile lesson, the teacher gathers small, recognizable items and places them in a box. The teacher reviews the items with the class. The students take turns reaching in...
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Dress Up the Turkey
Students decorate turkey on classroom door by designing their own
poster-board feathers with the help of their parents.
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Mexican Holidays
Students celebrate Mexican holidays. In this global studies instructional activity, students collaborate to research the Day of the Dead and Cinco de Mayo. Students present their findings about the holidays and host classroom celebrations.
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Squanto's Science Lesson
Students explore Squanto's contribution to the settlers. They plant seeds and follow instructions for water and fertilization. Students keep a record of the growth of the seeds. They write a paragraph that tells what they learned from...
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Government and Community Resources
Adult learners, with the assistance of flash/picture cards, explore a variety of United States holidays and social customs: Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and more. In addition, they draw pictures illustrating...
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Rewording Nursery Rhymes
Third graders write a song. For this melody lesson, 3rd graders discuss their favorite nursery rhymes. Students sing two songs and compare their melodies. Students use the melody of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to write...
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The U.S. Constitution:Continuity and Change in the Governing of the United States
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students examine and analyze primary sources regarding the plan for U.S. government.
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Giving Thanks for Food and Farms
Sarah Stewart’s The Gardener and Food from Farms by Nancy Dickmann display the importance of community farms. After reading these short picture books, class members draw connections between farms and the food we eat each day. As a...
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Web of Interdependence
Students investigate the colonial era and the crafts practiced in each of the trades as an expression of the interdependence the colonists had on each other. The impact of emigration from an American colonial town is experienced as...
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Native Foods and Livelihoods
Introduce young scholars to the ways in which land and people have a relationship. They examine the types of food local tribes have traditionally consumed and ways in which the people and the land both benefited from the act of...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Native American Cultures Across the U.S.
Students examine how American Indians are represented in today's society. They read stories, analyze maps, and complete a chart and create an illustration about a specific tribe.
University of Northern Iowa
Additional Folklife Information
Use a packet packed with ideas for how to celebrate the traditions of your country, state, community, and pupils's families. Suggestions for how to draw on oral and material traditions, customs, beliefs, music, and stories all find...
Curated OER
Giving a Persuasive Speech
Students examine how to plan their own thoughts, write down specific notes, and prepare to give their speech on a topic from the list. They take a specific side and present their arguments to the class.
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Spur of the Moment Act
Students perform a skit using creativity. In this role playing lesson, students are given a skit to perform in the "spur of the moment." Students use creativity to have the audience correctly guess the situation they are role-playing.
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November - Poetry
First graders respond to poetry through a group activity. They interact with rhythm and tempo in poetry through an oral presentation. They experiment with choral speaking. They discuss Thanksgiving family traditions.
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Turkey Round-up
Students perform this game as a warm-up for their bodies and a review of game strategies. It is designed to be used around Thanksgiving.
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Painting in Pink and Red
Students mix red and white to make different hues. In this color mixing lesson, students make a Valentine's Day project with a variety of shades of red and pink. They find the ratio of red and white and the color it creates.