TPS Journal
Sourcing a Document: The First Thanksgiving
How reliable is a painting of the first Thanksgiving if it was created 300 years after the fact? Learners assess the validity of a primary source image to determine what it can actually reveal about this event.
Classics for Kids
"Mars" from The Planets
Gustav Holst's The Planets provide young musicians an opportunity to examine how composers can create a suite: a collection of smaller pieces grouped to explore a single topic. After listening to "Jupiter," they examine "Mars" in...
Curated OER
QAR: Question Answer Relationships with an example from Canyons by Gary Paulsen
As you're reading Gary Paulsen's tale of self discovery and adventure, Canyons, bring this questioning strategy into your classroom. The QAR questioning strategy is meant to encourage a deeper analysis of the text, as some questions are...
Prestwick House
Vocabulary in Context: Inside the World of Wizards
Enter the world of Harry Potter and learn new vocabulary at the same time. A high-interest reading passage provides insight into the history of Harry Potter. Follow-up activities incorporate key vocabulary strategies, such as using...
Curated OER
Technology-commected Folklife Lesson Plan: Fables
Young scholars discuss ways the stories were alike and different. The teacher demonstrate how to draw a Venn diagram using Microsoft Word. They label the two circles and enter the likenesses and differences on the diagram.
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Exposing Expository Text Structure in a Rainforest Setting
Young scholars create a thematic booklet containing examples of different types of expository text structures. They explore a variety of expository text structures.
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Take Me to the River
Students learn about a different way of life. For this river and dams lesson, students discuss the Hoover Dam. Students then view pictures of the Hoover Dam, discuss the impact of dams, and compare life before and after...
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Tooling Around Arizona: Reading Arizona Maps
Young scholars research Arizona maps. In this map lesson, students discuss map titles, scales, directions, elevation, and symbols. The class will examine topography, landforms, and rivers found on an Arizona map.
Curated OER
Could You Repeat That?
Students participate in an oral story telling activity designed to show how story embellishments occur. They read "Beowulf" and identify incongruities that suggest additions and embellishments over the years.
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Point of View and Mentor Relationships
Tenth graders analyze the role of mentors, point of view, and prejudice using the texts of To Kill a Mockingbird and Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. For this literature analysis lesson, 10th graders review Scout's...
Curated OER
Let's Go On A Bear Hunt
Students work together to complete a research project on bears. Using the Internet, they answer questions they have about bears and reinforce what they already know. They compare and contrast different species of bears and bears in...
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I Hate English!
Students listen to quality literature, examine the Chinese culture, and participate in an oral activity.
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Ida Tarbell: Hysterical Woman vs. Historical Facts
Students examine journalism and its different styles. For this effective communication instructional activity students create an editorial message and articulate an article.
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Character and Plot Development Through Comics
Third graders are introduced to character, plot development, point of view, and tone through the use of comic strips. They, in pairs, identify these four attributes in the comic strip and present their findings to the class.
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Native American Storytelling
Eleventh graders examine the background of Native American myths and legends. In this American History lesson, 11th graders read a myth out loud to their classmates. Students compare and contrast their myths with other...
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All Quiet on the Western Front
Students use unitedstreaming and Google Earth to investigate World War II and All Quiet on the Western Front. In this novel and technology lesson, students view a video about the novel using unitedstreaming video, visit the given...
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The Battle to Save Bats
Learners investigate the disease that is causing the global decline of bats. In this animal health lesson, students read an article which discusses white-nose syndrome, the number one killer of bats. Learners discuss ways to...
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Cinderella Around the World
Students listen to two versions of the Cinderella story, and compare and contrast them. They demonstrate the similarities and differences in the two stories on a Venn diagram.
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Multimedia Urban Stories: "This is who I am"
Students create a photo essay. In this lesson encouraging self-expression, students view and reflect upon photo essays. Then, they go out into the community and create their own photo essay complete with captions. Students publish their...
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Comic Strip Creations
Students identify nouns, adjectives, and verbs from the newspaper. They create a math story problem, then create a comic strip using dialogue from words found in the newspaper.
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Respecting Diversity
Middle schoolers explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students read and respond to The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss. Middle schoolers discuss self-respect and respect.
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Design a Latin American Restaurant
Students investigate the culture of a Latin American country to design a new restaurant. In this Latin American lesson plan, students identify social classes, geographical locations, cultural practices, and monetary systems of a Latin...
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Let's Retell This Story
Fourth graders identify story grammar elements of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." The elements are recorded on a chart and students use the story grammar elements from the chart to retell the story.
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Alphabet Sideshow
Students practice sound and recognition of letters in alphabetical sequence. They gain an understanding of letter sounds and order. They create a slide show with graphics and text. They present their slide show to the class.