US Institute of Peace
Simulation on The Case of “Palmyra”
War-torn Palmyra needs your help! Young negotiators play the part of citizens of opposing countries through an eye-opening simulation. The fictional countries of Siwa and Nizwa stand at the brink of war, and your class' job is to create...
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "A New National Anthem" by Ada Limón
Ada Limon's poem, "A New National Anthem," offers young scholars an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the US national anthem and the extent to which Key's vision applies to all Americans. After watching a video of Whitney...
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "The Tradition" by Jericho Brown
To begin this lesson plan, class members examine Antonius Hockelmann's painting "Tree Flowers II," record elements of the painting that they notice, and share their observations with a partner. Next, pupils do a close reading of Jericho...
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...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Scrooge as He is Revealed during the Ghostly Experiences
Readers learn how to use both direct and indirect characterization clues provided by Charles Dickens to understand the complexity of Ebenezer Scrooge's character. Scholars collect evidence of comments Scrooge hears, how he responds to...
Primary Resources
Coordinate Pairs: An Introduction
Ordered pairs, the x and y-axis - sounds like it's time to introduce learners to the plotting points on a graph! This presentation is great as it introduces the concept, provides an example of how to use a coordinate plane, and then...
Media Smarts
Packaging Tricks
As part of their study of how advertisers use various techniques to influence consumers, kids examine the design, the promotions, and the product placement in the packaging of their favorite foods.
K20 LEARN
Locating Archetypes in Pop Culture, Literature, and Life
Archetypes help readers connect literature to the world around them. A lesson plan uses elements of pop culture to teach about archetypal traits of common characters and discuss issues of perception and other literary devices. At...
Royal Society of Chemistry
Polymers—Gifted and Talented Chemistry
Polymers are an important part of our day-to-day lives, but how much do your pupils know about them? Learn the basics and beyond in a series of activities designed to build skills in observation, planning, organic chemistry, and bonding.
ABCya
Christmas Word Search
Can you find the mittens? What about the reindeer—or Santa? Try an online Christmas-themed word search to add some festive language arts fun to the classroom this year.
ABCya
Civiballs Christmas
For the holiday season, timing is everything—and a Civiballs game is no exception! Learners use strategy, timing, and a little bit of computer-generated luck to solve each level of a game in which they cut chains to release ornaments...
Penguin Books
A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of William Shakespeare's Othello
Villains populate literature. These dastardly characters serve as a contrast to the hero who they set out to destroy. Iago, the villain of Shakespeare's tragedy Othello, certainly rates as one of the most despicable. Motivated by...
Penguin Books
Educator's Guide: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code is filled with secrets. Help readers find the clues, solve the riddles and puzzles, and unwrap the mysteries with a six-page guide that includes before, during, and after reading discussion questions and...
Penguin Books
A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities
It's not the best of guides nor the worst of guides, but time spent examining the guide to Charles Dickens's A Tale of Two Cities is certainly not wasted. The 17-page guide includes book-by-book synopses of the novel, before,...
Penguin Books
A Teacher's Guide to the Signet and Plume Editions of the Screenplay Lorraine Hansberry's Raisin in the Sun
Although they may be based on a novel, a screenplay is not a novel and is read differently. This teacher's guide to Lorraine Hansberry's Raisin in the Sun teaches readers how to read a screenplay, analyze camera instructions, and...
Curated OER
A World of Money
Students explore the traditions related to the creation of national currencies. The role currency plays in shaping a national or regional identity and the influences that the designers of world currency exert are examined in this lesson.
Curated OER
Making Maps
First graders create a map of their classroom that can be used to find a hidden treasure. They examine two- and three-dimensional objects and discover characteristics.
Curated OER
Elements of Art
Third graders discover elements in visual art. In this visual art lesson plan, 3rd graders explore the use of line, shape, and color in visual art. After reviewing works of art, students create unique art pieces. Technology resources...
Curated OER
Kwanzaa: Invitations and Menus
It's time to celebrate Kwanzaa in the classroom! After studying the traditions of the holiday, learners design a menu decorated in the colors and symbols associated with Kwanzaa.
Curated OER
2005 USDA Food Guide
In this food pyramid worksheet, 4th graders will answer 6 multiple choice questions about the newest version of the food pyramid (released in 2005), compare and contrast the old and new food guide using a Venn diagram, write a brief...
Curated OER
Chemical Elements: Teacher Story
In this chemical elements: teacher story activity, students use the periodic table to write down the name and symbol of the first 10 elements. Students then complete a story by filling in the blanks with the names of the elements of the...
Curated OER
Odd Word Out
In this odd word out worksheet, students read the group of words and pick which word is the odd word out. Students complete 14 problems total.
Curated OER
Weather Maps and Prediction
Young meteorologists read basic weather maps by learning about the symbols that are associated with them. This two-day lesson has some excellent demonstrations and activities to get youngsters thinking about the weather in scientific...
Curated OER
Algebra...Your Second Language
Help learners translate word problems into algebraic equations. They will rewrite words using symbols and evaluate algebraic expressions using real life scenarios, animation sequences, video presentations, and activities to help young...