Historical Thinking Matters
Social Security: 3 Day Lesson
What does social security reveal about the political and social culture of the 1930s? After beginning with a brief introductory video on the impact of the Great Depression and how various Americans, such as Huey Long and Francis...
Curated OER
Voices of Tragedy and Horror: Remembering the Holocaust
Students consider the implications of the Holocaust. In this World War II activity, students read the graphic novel Maus at the end of a unit on World War II. Students discuss the impact of reading about the Holocaust as well as theme of...
Curated OER
Student Artist Screen Savers
Pupils collect and compile digital photographs in order to create a screensaver slide show that show the artist and their work.
K12 Reader
Choose the Correct Homophone
It's a known secret that English can be a difficult language to learn, and homophones don't make it any easier. Help your young readers tackle these tricky words with this simple fill-in-the blank exercise in which...
Curated OER
Advertising Media: Youth Drinking and Smoking
Scholars examine the effect of media and advertising on youth drinking and smoking. They determine what advertising means, how much money is spent on it, and how different age groups are targeted. They watch a movie and examine pictures...
Curated OER
Using Picture Books to Teach the Holocaust
Students compare a photo of a child's room during the Holocaust to their room. In this WWII lesson, students read picture books and evaluate the roles of characters in the book. Students create either a poster about the roles, a movie...
Curated OER
Laurence of Arabia
Students critically examine the life and contributions of Lawrence of Arabia to the modern Middle East. They view a video on Laurence of Arabia. Students discuss the movie. Students create a propaganda posters or stories identifying...
Curated OER
Planets for Sale
Student develop their technology skills. In this solar system instructional activity, 3rd graders create a movie featuring planets that they research. Students use flip video cameras to film commercials to market their planets.
Curated OER
Cereal Box Book Report Project
Students create a book report using a cereal box. In this book report lesson plan, students cover the outer parts of a cereal box representing a book they red. They create an original cover on one side, and use the other sides to report...
Syracuse University
World War II
During World War II propaganda was as important to the war effort as the soldiers in the field. Scholars consider how the government communicated messages of patriotism with propaganda by examining pieces from World War II. Then, they...
For the Teachers
Sequence Plot Chart
Your kids can identify the plot sequence of a short story, but what about an informational article? Have them examine the chronological order of events in informational texts with a lesson on the sequence of events.
Curated OER
Wanted- Dead or Alive
Students identify the characteristics of trickster tales. In this literary genres lesson, students read trickster tales from Africa and create a clay model of a trickster character. Students design a "wanted" poster with a...
Curated OER
Careers in Film
Students discuss the difference between independent films and and films produced by a major studio. They select an independent filmmaker to research and begin their research from a list of given Web sites. When research is complete,...
Pace University
Grades 6-8 Ecology
Why are our national parks important? Scholars research the national parks and explore the basic ecology of these areas in a differentiated instruction unit on ecology. They learn about ecosystems, food chains, symbiosis, and biomes. The...
Curated OER
To Kill a Mockingbird
Young scholars participate in a layered curriculum unit in order to give them opportunities to master objectives. Students pick the activities and this allows a differentiated instructional activity to occur with many opportunities for...
Curated OER
Exploring Texture In the Garden
Students explore the garden environment. In this garden environment lesson, students investigate the needs and parts of a plant. Students discover the differences between fruits and vegetables while creating their own garden.
Curated OER
Alfred Hitchcock and David O. Selznick
Students compare/contrast the Hollywood film industry of the 30s and 40s with Hollywood today. They watch a video on David O. Selznick and Alfred Hitchcock, conduct Internet research, and create a poster to present their findings.
Curated OER
'Hunger Games' Science: Investigating Genetically Engineered Organisms
In The Hunger Games novel and movie, a futuristic, dystopian society is the setting. In it, a genetically engineered bird escapes control of the government. Using this as a starting point, teenagers examine the realistic possibility of...
Curated OER
Old Hobbits Are Hard to Break
Explore film adaptation of literature with this lesson, which focuses on the world of film advertisements. Middle schoolers discuss various films (including The Lord of the Rings) and create advertisements for a pretend film based on a...
Royal Canadian Legion
Teachers' Guide: Take Time to Remember
The Royal Canadian Legion offers this teacher's guide designed to remind learners of all ages of the sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers in not only World War I but also the Korean and Gulf wars. The 42-page packet is filled with...
Curated OER
Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor
Students watch the movie, Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor, and participate in post-viewing activities to model their understanding of the movie.
National First Ladies' Library
We're off to see the Wizard!
Students explore the process of play and movie making from books. They study the basic elements of drama and write and produce a play based on a chosen theme. Students explain the basic elements of a play by looking at "The Wonderful...
Curated OER
Making Mitosis Movies
The concept of mitosis, and the terminology involved, can become easily understood once students engage in hands-on projects.
Curated OER
Hollow Form - Monsters - Beasties That Never Were
Students investigate Medieval art Gargoyles/Beasties and creatures used for animation films, design an original monster, and create a hollow clay form using hand building techniques.