Smithsonian Institution
The Soldier’s Experience—Vietnam versus World War I
The Vietnam War and World War I were two very important—and different—wars. To understand the differences, and similarities, class members watch videos, examine primary source documents, and then create a newscast that examines the...
Teach Engineering
Solar Water: Heat it Up!
Young engineers are instructed to design and build their own solar water heaters. Then, they calculate the efficiency and cost and compare them to commercially available models. This is a full unit for pupils to apply their knowledge.
Virginia Department of Education
Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Provide high schoolers with their own indoor gardens! Emerging scientists discuss the process of photosynthesis and germinate seeds before growing plants in multiple lighting conditions. The hands-on application allows pupils to see...
Science Matters
Solar Energy
The solar energy industry in the United States added more jobs in 2015 than the oil and gas extraction and pipeline industries combined. With the field growing so rapidly, it's essential to understand what solar energy is and how it...
Smithsonian Institution
A Ticket to Philly—In 1769: Thinking about Cities, Then and Now
While cities had only a small fraction of the population in colonial America, they played a significant role in pre-revolutionary years, and this was certainly true for the largest city in the North American colonies: Philadelphia. Your...
Facing History and Ourselves
The Importance of a Free Press
"Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;. . ." Why is this guarantee of free speech and a free press the First Amendment to the US Constitution? Why are these rights so essential to a democracy?...
Facing History and Ourselves
Social Media and Ferguson
How can social media help or hinder civil dialogue? How can information shared on social media be verified? As the investigation of media reports of the events surrounding the shooting of Michael Brown continues, class members read news...
PBS
Making Change: Revolutionary Tactics of the Civil Rights Movement
The film American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs introduces viewers to the differing philosophies of and strategies employed by 1960s civil rights leaders such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. and the debate over...
Global Oneness Project
Far From Home
A timely and provocative lesson inspires high schoolers to tackle the Syrian refugee crisis. They analyze a compelling photo essay before discussing and writing about it.
PBS
Stories of Painkiller Addiction: Learning About Opioids
Feeling high is not the only side effect of abusing prescription opioids. Middle and high schoolers learn more about specific painkillers, including Fentanyl, Oxycodone, and Clonazepam, as well as their common brand names and extensive...
DiscoverE
Waterproofing the Roof
Can your pupils build a roof that stands the test of time? Use an insightful engineering design project to highlight both materials science and architecture. Scholars either team up or work as individuals to design, create, and test a...
Curated OER
Who's In, Who's Out?
Students identify feelings they have when being included or excluded in a group. They develop a survey to give to different groups who feel excluded. They present the information they gather from the survey to the class.
Curated OER
Ecological Communities:The Prairie
Students study the meaning of ecological community and recognize its complexity. In this ecology lesson plan students diagram a food web.
Curated OER
A Tale of Two Towns
Students gain and apply knowledge of life in their own community and compare specific aspects of it to life in other communities. They work in small groups to fill out a questionnaire about life in their community, and email it to e-pals...
Curated OER
Constitution Day
Students discuss the need for rules in their community and classroom. Using this information, they identify the authority figures at their house, at school and in the community. They are read a book about following the rules and listen...
Curated OER
I Think I Can Make a Difference!
First graders write "I Can" statements to tell what they can do to help their community. They write the statements on a train car that has a number written on it. They share their statements in order of the number of their train car...
Curated OER
Dividing the Philanthropic Shares
Young scholars define who volunteers are the and the types of jobs that they do. They identify various groups who volunteer in their community, and locate them on a city map.
Curated OER
Jingle Bell Jog
Students make the connection of doing something positive for people in need by offering this student activity that reaches out to the entire surrounding community by getting sponsors for a "jog/walk-a-thon".
Curated OER
The Dirt at Your Feet May Limit Your Growth
Students examine how soils within a community may enhance or inhibit development. In small groups, they analyze county soils maps, and develop a prospectus for a construction company looking to construct a housing development site.
Curated OER
Newcomers Learn Local History
Students that are English Language Learners (ELL) work individually and in small groups to conduct research on their community. They compile the results of their research, write a report, and create a presentation slideshow. Pupils add...
Curated OER
Who's Town is This, Anyway?
Fifth graders work in cooperative groups to simulate a town government as they consider an important change in their community growth. They analyze a real problem in the community and then determine their goals to fix it and make a...
Curated OER
Creating Communities
Students design a community with minimal environmental impact. They rate each other's community's presentation using the "Planning and Zoning Commission Rating Scale".
Curated OER
Ask an Expert-Grade 5-8
Students conduct oral histories about water in their community. They interview community members, create a class oral history journal, and record their findings on a school website, in the school or public library, or in another...
Curated OER
Service Auction
Students work together to raise money for a community service program by auctioning their services. They brainstorm a list of services that they can provide to parents and other members of the school community.