Indiana University
British Literature Restoration Unit: The Pillow Book – Sei Shonagon
First drafted in the year 996, The Pillow Book contains reflections of those met by a lady-in-waiting in the Japanese court. A brief summary, historical context, and discussion questions are provided on the first two pages. Then, two...
Curated OER
Banned Book Week: Tips for Teaching Censorship
Consider how book censorship erodes our right to free speech and intellectual freedom.
Smithsonian Institution
Our Story: Duke Ellington and Jazz
Get parents or guardians into the swing of things with a jazzy homework assignment. A detailed six-page guide provides before, during, and after reading suggestions for Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra, Andrea Davis...
Curated OER
Pink and Say
Read Pink and Say and discuss the Civil War with your upper elementary learners. They create a KWL about the Civil War and record words relating to the Civil War as they read the book. Then they work in groups to create an ABC book based...
Whitewater Valley Railroad
Teaching and Learning with The Polar Express
Use a series of extension activities to enhance your class reading of Chris Van Allsburg's holiday classic, The Polar Express. From a biography of the author to filmed book reviews and research about the railroad, kids can take their...
Curated OER
The Little Red Hen
Learners analyze a classic children's story by discussing it with their peers. In this reading comprehension lesson, students read The Little Red Hen, and discuss ways the hen takes care of his responsibilities. Learners utilize Clip...
Penguin Books
An Educator's Guide to The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages
A lot of secrecy shrouded the creation of the atomic bomb. Readers uncover some of that secrecy using an educator's guide for the novel The Green Glass Sea. Three weeks of lesson plans feature discussion questions and reading...
Curated OER
The Polar Express Experience
Explore the holiday classic "The Polar Express" with a variety of activities.
Curated OER
The Seven Wonders of the World: The Statue of Zeus at Olympia
Learners explore the culture of classical Greece by examining The Statue of Zeus at Olympia. In this Seven Wonders of the World lesson, students will expand their understanding of Greek mythology, the Olympics and the Greek Isles....
Teach With Movies
Title: "The Time Machine" - Topics: Science-Technology
Director George Pal’s film The Time Machine, based on H. G. Wells’ 1895 science fiction novella and starring Rod Taylor, Alan Young, and Yvette Mimieux, is the focus of a lesson that considers the consequences of time travel. Viewers...
BBC
Crime: Justice
Are the juvenile courts fair? Learners read a bit from the classic Oliver Twist to consider how young people are treated and represented when they've been accused of a crime. They read a case study from their books, discuss children's...
Penguin Books
An Educator's Guide to Al Capone Does My Shirts
It's hard to imagine that life on Alcatraz could be dull. A series of intriguing lessons take readers through the novel Al Capone Does my Shirts. Pre-reading questions introduce the text and a range of suggestions, from comic strips to...
Curated OER
I'm Special
Students explore their five senses and what makes them special and unique. They listen to books about their senses and participate in a taste and smell experiment. Students also create a senses journal, and create an "I'm Special" book...
Curated OER
CSI Lesson Plans Can Turn Students Into Learning Detectives
Children learn to use the methods of good detection for solving a crime, and even analyzing literature.
Curated OER
Silouettes of New York City
Second graders create a New York City silhouette. In this visual arts lesson plan, 2nd graders view the picture book, Uptown, and identify the silhouettes. Students use construction paper, paint, and a flashlight to create artistic...
National First Ladies' Library
Finding Treasure Island; An Exciting Escape
Students read Treasure Island. They have a choice of a number of activities associated with the novel, including writing a review of the book. Students also participate in a National Geographic High Seas Adventure, going on an Internet...
Curated OER
Wilfred Gordon McDonald Patridge
Students read the book Wilfred Gordon McDonald Patridge and discuss how we can help others. In this Wilfred Gordon McDonald Patridge lesson plan, students read about helping elderly people, discuss it, and then interview their...
Penguin Books
A Teacher's Guide to The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School
What if the Gingerbread Man was trying to catch you, rather than the other way around? Pupils can find out what happens by reading the story The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School by Laura Murray and enrich their experience with the...
Curated OER
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Students analyze the illustrations and cover of the book Uncle Tom's Cabin. In this Uncle Tom's Cabin lesson plan, students discuss the history elements of what they see in the illustrations and cover of the book.
Curated OER
Let's Celebrate Diwali!
Students list prior knowledge of Diwali. They listen to books. Students compare and contrast Diwali to other celebrations. They create a project. Students create a letter to parents explaining about Diwali and the Diya. They ask an...
Scholastic
Eric Carle Author Study
Learn all about Eric Carle, find out about his famous caterpillar, and try out related art, science, writing, math, and social studies activities. The resource comes with plenty of materials to support your instruction.
Curated OER
A Month of Mapping Literature
Explore the world through literature! With push pins to mark where each story came from, learners examine cultural differences, geographical location, and how those elements affect story content. This lesson could use deeper development,...
Curated OER
Home Sweet Home Activity Plan
Students examine the uniqueness of their family. In this early childhood lesson plan, students develop social awareness, creative thinking, and fine-motor skills as they complete an activity regarding their families.
Curated OER
Learning About Maps
Students investigate the many uses and features of maps and globes and locate where they live on both. In this map lesson, student play a travel game and create their own maps to explore states, continents, countries, and islands.