Facing History and Ourselves
Citizen Power Makes Democracy Work
Eric Liu's formula "power plus character equals citizenship" and his three strategies to making change happen model for high schoolers how to develop citizen power, how to get involved and participate to make democracy work. Class...
Curated OER
Looking at French Decorative Arts: Symbols in Marquetry
Students study a French cabinet, then research and discuss its symbols. They create their own marquetry design based on an animal symbol from another country.
Curated OER
"Zebra" by Chaim Potok
Combine art and literature to teach greater themes and symbolic meaning. Using the plan outlined in this resource, expose your class to the story "Zebra" by Chaim Potok, conduct discussions about social issues and nicknames, and ask...
Curated OER
Modernizing a Traditional Irish Folktale
Students write their own folktales based on "Cathal O'Cruachan and the Cowherd." In discussions they examine the animal symbolism in the story, as well as the characters, events, problems, and solution. With partners, they select...
Scholastic
Study Jams! Elements & Compounds
Compound class members' knowledge of elements and compounds with this delightful video clip! As the animated characters work on baking a birthday cake, they reveal that elements are simple substances that can be combined to form...
Curated OER
Cut Outs: Shapes and Symbols
Students create collages based on Juan Quick-to-See Smith's "Ode to Chief Seattle." In this shapes, symbols and Native American lesson, students examine the "Ode to Chief Seattle" and Henri Matisse's cutout work. Students design their...
Curated OER
What is an Animal?
In this animal instructional activity, students review various characteristics that are associated with animals including body plan and skeletal structure. This instructional activity has 11 fill in the blank questions.
Curated OER
Power Totem
Young scholars investigate the important symbols to Native cultures by writing a poem. In this animal totem lesson, students discuss animal spirits and their relation to the Native American lifestyle. Young scholars write a cinquain...
Curated OER
Awesome Animals
Sixth graders write descriptive narratives about animals. In this descriptive writing lesson, the teacher models how to write a paragraph with interesting sensory words and exciting verbs. Students choose a picture of an animal they want...
Novelinks
Touching Spirit Bear: The Literary Mandala
Even someone with a dark side can make a good decision—and vice versa. Readers explore Cole's traits and decisions in Ben Mikaelson's Touching Spirit Bear and analyze his sunside and shadowside. They identify a symbol that best...
Curated OER
Chinese Kites
Students identify Chinese culture and find that New Year is the most important of many Chinese holidays. Then they research many facets of the Chinese New Year celebration, and identify the symbols of the animal zodiac. Students also...
Curated OER
US Patriotic Symbols: The North American Bald Eagle
Young scholars research the North American bald eagle to determine if this bird's characteristics make it an appropriate symbol to represent the United States as a country. They debate the substitution of other bird species for the eagle.
Curated OER
Animal Morphs
Students explore animal drawing. In this cross curriculum drawing, photography, and animals lesson, students combine computer drawing and freehand drawing to create an animal and its environment using a photograph of their own face...
Curated OER
State Symbols
In this social studies worksheet, students examine and analyze each of the state's abbreviations, capitals, birds, flowers, animals and the dates when they became a state.
Curated OER
Learning to Resist: Watercolor
Consider wax resist drawings as a way to bridge art and science. Learners view, discuss, and practice drawing insects or animals using waxy crayons. They pay attention to the creature's features as they create images with watercolor and...
Curated OER
It's a Wrap!
Students investigate symbols and colors on the Osage blanket. In this visual arts lesson, students examine a blanket from the Osage culture and identify symbols on the blanket. Students create a class blanket, including symbols which are...
Curated OER
Label Length and Weight of the Creatures Worksheet
Although the objective to this measurement worksheet isn't entirely clear, it is definitely usable in a few ways. There are six images of different creatures, each with a height and weight listed. Learners label each creature by filling...
Curated OER
Plains Indians
Students design a realistic replica of a Crow or Kiowa circular shield. They examine the material culture of the Plains Indians and the role of shields for the Crow and Kiowa. They study animal symbolism as used by North America's...
Curated OER
Clay Animal Sculptures
Young scholars create their own clay sculpture with imaginary or realistic animal features. After drawing at least three sketches, they complete an animal sculpture brainstorming activity. They identify functions of pre-Columbian...
Curated OER
The Huichol Community of Mexico: Communicating with Symbols
Pupils study the Huichol Indians. In this Huichol lesson, students red The Journey of Tunuri and the Blue Deer, design a visual story using symbols, and make a painting using large paper shapes. A class mural project is also included.
Curated OER
Cats and Superstition: Fun Trivia Quiz
Answers to this quiz are very well cited, so if your class is studying Halloween, symbols, superstition, world cultures, or cats, it could spark spirited discussion about comparative traditions.
Illustrative Mathematics
Animal Populations
Assume all you know is that the variable Q represents a value that is bigger than the value represented by the variable P. Which is larger P + Q or 2P? The problems in this activity get more complex than that example, and they do a good...
Curated OER
November 24 - Benjamin Franklin
In this writing prompt activity, students learn that Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey, not the bald eagle, to be the symbol of the United States. Students write if they would choose the turkey of the bald eagle as the symbol or a...
Curated OER
Bad Dog or Bad Owner?
Students discuss the responsibilities of pet ownership. In this animal welfare instructional activity, students visit selected websites to investigate the attributes of the pit bull. Students also consider the costs and how to care for...