Curated OER
Square Foot Garden
Students plant a garden and keep track of it. In this geometrical garden lesson, students collect data from their garden twice a week. They graph their finding and figure out how many square feet of growing space each person needs...
Curated OER
Coin Counting
First graders identify value of coins and complete coin counting activities.
Curated OER
Where Will You Be November 2?
Students consider reasons why many Americans do not vote in national elections and explore the increase in new registered voters. They research a particular demographic and create an advertisement encouraging members of that group to vote.
Curated OER
Prescriptions for Disaster?
Students share opinions about prescription drugs and prepare public service campaigns to inform peers and adults about the dangers of prescription drug abuse. Their ads also offer prevention techniques and possible methods of treatment.
Curated OER
Roots of Religious Liberty
Students examine the First Amendment and consider the contributions of James Madison and Thomas Jefferson. They review conflicts between the rights of Church and State and write a Madisonian argument on the issue.
Curated OER
Watching the Watchers
Students identify, explore, and analyze the effects of their daily exposure to advertising.
Curated OER
Discord in Dixieland
Students brainstorm businesses located in their community, and whether or not their community has been affected by the introduction of chain stores. Students debate the effects that chain retailers have on local businesses and...
Curated OER
Waste Not, Want Not
Young scholars consider the types of debris that litters beaches and conduct research on waste management. They then interview professionals in a particular field of waste management and write reports for a booklet about garbage and...
Curated OER
Air Matters
Students research the affects that particulate matter has on the quality of our air and our health. Students analyze a streaming video on air pollution and complete an internet research assignment to find ways to reduce particulate...
Curated OER
Puttin' On the Hits
Students explore "summer songs." They compose a list of songs that they would put on a summer CD and write an essay that explains the images they would choose for the cover for this CD. They also create collages that represent their...
Curated OER
Carrot Sticks or French Fries?
Students investigate the influence of fast food brand names on food choices and analyze the factors that contribute to branding preferences. They write an opinion essay on the corporate responsibility to influence food choices.
Curated OER
The Down Low Talk Show
Students examine popular fashion trends and their personal tastes in clothing styles. They explore the legislation and controversy over wearing pants too low by reading and discussing the article "Are Your Jeans Sagging? Go Directly to...
Curated OER
Sports Helmets and Impact Testing of Polymers
Students examine the importance of good quality safety gear. In this investigative lesson, students will tests various polymers, collect data, and analyze the data to determine which polymer is best for safety helmets. They will design a...
Curated OER
Magnetic Mystery
Fourth graders investigate the poles of a magnet. In this magnet lesson, 4th graders explore what a magnet attracts and what it repels. Students view the N and S on magnets. students recognize that like poles repel and opposite...
Curated OER
Vocabulary - Unfolding Meaning
Students use the dictionary and thesaurus and are able to explain a definition in their own words.
Curated OER
Cultural Spaces
As a way to help your young scholars understand tolerance, personal space, and cultural diversity, this lesson has them give up personal space for three minutes. There is no discussion prior to this activity and seemingly very little...
Curated OER
Leaders in a Media Age
Students identify ways in which the president can use various media to communicate his messages and intent. They demonstrate ways in which the news media can create public opinion.
Curated OER
2D Kinematics w/ String Racers
Students calculate the speed of string racers. In this physics lesson, students measure the time in several trials and get the average. They graph their results using a spreadsheet.
Curated OER
Senate Confirmation Hearings on Cabinet
Students explain the confirmation process of presidential nominees to the Cabinet. They compose a list of questions to ask at a conformation hearing.
Curated OER
Crazy Quilts
Students research women's roles in agriculture's history and how they have changed. They create a paper "crazy quilt" using a variety of colors and pattersn to help them explain the role of quilts in women's history.
Curated OER
Good Citizen Posters
Third graders create a poster documenting the responsibilities of a good citizen. During group discussion, they develop a list of ways in which they can participate as responsible citizens in their society. Students use their list to...
Curated OER
Amoeba Tag
Fourth graders investigate how different organisms reproduce by participating in a Amoeba Tag game. Students work as a team and try to catch each other -- thus "reproducing" amoebas.
Curated OER
Building Log Cabins
Fourth graders design and create a log cabin in this lesson. They use ratios to help make dimensions of a house. They draw out how they want their house to look and gather the materials they need to complete the house. The log cabins...
Curated OER
Another Way of Life
Pupils read about the 2006 Amish school killings. They explore Amish life, including how loss and tragedy are handled and compare it to how they, themselves, would handle the same situation. They write fictitious dialogues highlighting...