Polar Trec
Family Polar Fun Day
Family fun days are great for connecting home and school life, building strong parent/teacher relationships, and engaging students in a fun and social way. Here are several activity ideas to help you and your class run your own Family...
Perfection Learning
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: Clouds on the Horizon--Foreshadowing
The seeds of tragedy are planted early in John Steinbeck's story of migrant workers George Milton and Lenny Small. Nurture the imagination of readers by asking them to craft predictions about what will grow out of events in chapters one...
American Museum of Natural History
Edible Earth
Create an edible model of the Earth using crispy rice cereal, marshmallows, and chocolate, yum! Model layers include the outer core, inner core, mantle, and crust.
Curated OER
Teaching "Theme" with Children's Literature
In this exercise, learners examine the difference between a theme, topic, and moral. After a class discussion on the definition of literary themes, the instructor reads The Cello of Mr. O by Jane Cutler. Next, individuals analyze the...
Curated OER
Ivan the Fool: Lesson 3
Students read and analyze the Eastern European folktale of 'Ivan the Fool.' They discuss the term 'quest,' identify quests in their own lives, and in small groups design a board game that illustrates the czar's quest to find good wives...
Curated OER
Hatchet: Predicting the Outcome Guide
What will happen in Hatchet by Gary Paulsen? Kids read a series of possible events that will occur in the novel and mark whether they agree or disagree with the probability of each event happening.
Curated OER
Philanthropy, You, And Your World Lesson 1: Characterizing Philanthropic People
Students determine the meaning of philanthropy and list attributes of philanthropic people. They examine philanthropic acts of themselves and others using a song and Post-It note activity.
Curated OER
Tree of Giving
Students work together as a team to solve the hypothetical common problem of litter. They give examples of organizations that focus on trying to help others in significant ways (volunteers). Each group maps out their strategy, a tree...
Curated OER
The Struggle For The Right To Vote
Students identify historical figures who helped lead others in the voting rights movement, and research historical struggles for voting rights. They develop plans to involve young voters in the election process.
Curated OER
Sk8er Boi (Skater Boy)
Learners listen to and analyze the lyrics for Avril Lavigne's song, Sk8er Boi. They discuss and interpret the vocabulary, phrasal verbs, and various grammar structures used in the lyrics.
Curated OER
Number Line Up
A simple counting activity to help your kindergartners count in sequence. Hand out number cards randomly (one to represent each child in your class) to each class member. Now ask the class to put themselves in sequential order beginning...
Curated OER
Living Together as One
The ultra-glamorous Muppet, Miss Piggy, launches a study of discrimination and ways to develop a more inclusive community. A series of videos and activities raise awareness of discrimination and journal prompts asks participants to...
Virginia Department of Education
Media Literacy and Persuasive Writing
Investigate ways to persuade by introducing learners to the three rhetorical appeals (Pathos, Logos, Ethos). Pupils receive a worksheet for their definition development of the terms and coinciding vocabulary words. The activity continues...
Curated OER
Editorial Cartoons
Do your classes love reading and drawing cartoons? Middle schoolers read an editorial cartoon from a newspaper. They discuss the cartoonist's topic, audience, and purpose. Next, they brainstorm questions they have about the cartoon and...
Curated OER
Communication
Using a unique approach, learners practice communication skills. Placed in groups of two, one person creates a structure using Legos or Knex, and then gives his/her partner instructions for creating a duplicate without allowing them to...
Curated OER
Flipped: After Reading Strategy
Everyone can be an expert! After finishing Wendelin Van Draanen's book Flipped, divide your class into small groups. Then, assign each group a topic to become experts on. The resource suggests topics such as characters, themes, setting,...
Curated OER
Making Inferences - An Introduction
Help your learners identify the inferences they make every day with this SMART board lesson. With a comic strip in the first presentation slide, they make inferences about the situation. A discussion addresses what type of prior...
Learn NC
Peanut Butter and Jelly and Order of Operations
Study order of operations using a peanut butter and jelly sandwich activity as your guide. The class watches you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich based on a volunteer's instructions. They discuss the importance of following...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan fo The Magic Eyes of Little Crab
Interested in a "how and why" story to read with young students? In this storytelling lesson, readers will discuss sea creatures, focusing on practicing new terminology through retelling the story. This resource provides a list of...
Curated OER
Much Ado About Nothing: Guided Imagery Exercise
“Be glad that all things sort so well.” To make text-to-self connections to Shakespeare’s play, class members engage in a guided imagery exercise prior to reading Act IV, scene i of Much Ado About Nothing (the wedding of Claudio and...
Curated OER
Integrity - Stanton Style
Students explore the contributions of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. In this character education lesson, students read a handout regarding Stanton's life. Students respond to discussion questions regarding her philanthropic work.
Curated OER
The Community of Fun
Students participate in a parachute activity. In this physical education lesson, students use teamwork to lift a parachute and keep soft balls on top of it. Students demonstrate how working together can accomplish a goal.
Curated OER
Who Needs Friends?
Students discuss how to be a good friend to others. They create a list of characteristics to use in more future lessons. They reflect on they type of friend they are in journal writings.
Curated OER
Helping Countries in Turmoil
Students create an advertisement that promotes a nonprofit. In this service learning lesson, students research emerging democracies and brainstorm ways to help local nonprofit organizations.