Curated OER
Lao Design: Lotus Flower Constructions
Students create lotus flowers in 3-D designs applying Lao art techniques. Following a teacher demonstration, they assemble their own lotus flower candleholders and the teacher arranges a group flotation in a body of water. Students...
Macmillan Education
Happy 40th Birthday Brown Bear
What do you see? Wish a happy birthday to Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle's Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? The lesson includes six extension activities for the books and its companion stories, including a maze and animal...
Curated OER
Birthday Party
Students help plan a party for Q-Bear and think about some of the different ways people celebrate their birthdays. They then demonstrate knowledge and understanding of customs and traditions associated with participation in cultural...
Curated OER
Traditions
Students study the vocabulary of philanthropy and the tradition in their community of altruism. In this philanthropy lesson, students discuss traditions and philanthropy. They create a class dictionary of philanthropy terms and...
Curated OER
Classroom Guide for The Birthday Swap
Learners complete activities with the book The Birthday Swap by Loretta Lopez. In this literature instructional activity, students answer pre-reading questions, locate new vocabulary, and read the story. They answer comprehension...
Curated OER
Happy Birthday to You
Students explore how people celebrate traditional holidays in various cultures. They participate in activities that are used to celebrate birthdays in different cultures. Students analyze the celebrations.
Curated OER
Birthday Customs
Students are introduced to the customs and origins of a variety of common birthday celebrations. They work in groups to research common birthday customs and history and then make individual books highlighting a custom that has meaning to...
Curated OER
The Seasonal Round and The Cycle of Life
Fourth graders are introduced to the concept of the seasonal round and how folklife traditions vary from season to season. They begin charting dates of personal interest on seasonal round calendars by starting with birthdays. Students...
Curated OER
Japan: Traditions and Culture
Fourth graders explore Japanese customs and history. They create their own works that reflect these traditions. They identify and use primary and secondary sources to learn and communicate about the past.
Curated OER
Keepers
What are some things you think are special enough to keep? Discussing special things launches young learners into reading Keepers. They investigate related vocabulary and practice before, during, and after reading comprehension...
Reed Novel Studies
Wringer: Novel Study
Some traditions should be broken—or at least Palmer thinks so. Palmer, a character in Wringer, dreads the tradition that goes along with turning 10 so much that he even dreads his birthday. Scholars learn how Palmer solves his troubles...
Curated OER
A death in the Royal Family: Dealing with Loss
Students read and discuss the story "Prince Talks About Magical Grandmother." They list ceremonies of traditions associated with emotional times in their lives. Students prepare a script for a video message to Prince Charles designed to...
Curated OER
Celebrate You
First graders locate place of birth on a map. They identify their birthdays and place a graphing square with their birthday written on it under the corresponding month. They compare birthdays on the graph. They read "P.B. Bear's Birthday...
Curated OER
¡Me Encanta el 4 de Julio!
Let's celebrate! Have your beginning Spanish learners read the short paragraph about a boy and his family's Fourth of July tradition. There are five reading comprehension questions that follow, and a vocabulary matching activity. A great...
Curated OER
I Am Special and You Are Special Too
Pre-schoolers identify things that make them a special individual. In this diversity instructional activity, they read the book Little Gorilla and discuss ways they are special and unique. Children create a birthday party for "Little...
Curated OER
Probability Games and Activities, Unit 6
Get your mathematicians thinking about probability with these three activity ideas using tangible math. First, middle schoolers use dice to play a simple game, determining how many "odds" and "evens" they need to win. Next, they consider...
Curated OER
The History of Mardi Gras
Students gain knowledge about the history, traditions, and culture of Mardi Gras. They then apply the content to make related projects and complete assignments.
Curated OER
Songs of Native Americans
Students listen to chapter from novel When Legends Die by Hal Borland, listen to traditional Lakota song, discuss feeling song induces and in what circumstance it may be used, and examine connection between cultural music and family...
Curated OER
The Clay Marble
Students probe the story, "The Clay Marble" by Minfong Ho to identify examples of courage, quick thinking, and perseverance. The activity creatively extends the plot of the story by celebrating the heroin's birthday many years after the...
Perkins School for the Blind
Language Experience Stories
Here is a great way to bring core content to your special education classroom. Included is a set of instructional ideas intended to help learners increase their verbal and written expression through storytelling. Tape recorders, story...
Curated OER
Hana Matsuri (Buddha's Birthday)
Students write a haiku about the Hana Matsuri, then write a letter to a Japanese pen pal asking them about their experiences at the Hana Matsuri.
Curated OER
Folk Groups and Community Folklife
Students explore folk groups and traditions in their local community. In this folklife lesson, students list the folk groups they belong to and its traditions. Students write about their favorite tradition and may complete extension...
Curated OER
Transitional Kindergarten: The Gift of Time
A brief overview of a new class that can be beneficial for young learners.