US Environmental Protection Agency
Tree Rings: Living Records of Climate
Open with a discussion on weather and climate and then explain how tree rings can provide scientists with information about the earth's past climate. Pupils analyze graphics of simulated tree rings from various US locations for the...
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Insulators and Conductors
In a classic activity, emerging electricians test various objects for electrical conductivity in a circuit. Each group constructs a simple circuit by following a diagram. Predictions are made and objects are inserted into the circuit,...
Curated OER
Magazine Madness
Students look at pictures cut out of magazines to determine what is happening in the picture and predict what will happen next.
Curated OER
Circles and Clocks, Shapes and Time
Students work in groups to research clocks and practice telling time. For this telling time lesson, students use the computer program ProQuest to study circles, including radius and diameter, and practice drawing circles using a compass....
Curated OER
Analyze The Learner; Chocolate Fractions
Third graders describe, represent and compare fractions using pieces of a chocolate bar. In this fractions instructional activity, 3rd graders demonstrate how to read and write fractions correctly. Students then integrate technology by...
Curated OER
Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly
Third graders access prior knowledge of the monarch butterfly and discuss what they would like to know. In this Monarch Butterfly lesson,students read Monarch Butterfly and discuss the life cycle of the butterfly. Students gather...
Curated OER
Lessons from the Holocaust
Students prepare a reaction statement about what they read. In this Holocaust lesson students read several personal accounts from the Holocaust. The students answer a series of questions related to the Nazis and their concentration camps.
Curated OER
Comic Renditions
Learners explore the intersection between popular and high art by recreating comic strips in various artistic styles and then famous works of art as comics. Through this exploration, students come to conclusions about what art is and...
Curated OER
The Aftermath of Genocide
Learners read and discuss articles written about the Rwandan genocide. They participate in a class discussion, and write a letter to the U.N. or a letter to the editor of their local newspaper.
Curated OER
Comparing Family Photos
Fourth graders bring in a family photo from home. They compare their photo to the Rawding family photo. Students share their conclusions orally. They use Venn Diagrams to organize their thoughts and observations.
Curated OER
One * Two * Three * Story
Second graders explore sequencing by drawing events of a story in order. In this sequence of events lesson, 2nd graders are read a story such as "The 3 Little Pigs", they recall the events from the fairy tale in order, visit an...
Curated OER
Christopher Columbus
Students read about the good and bad aspects of Christopher Columbus in Jean Fritz's book, "Where do you think you're going, Christopher Columbus?" They conduct and analyze a survey about common myths and create a pop-up book.
Curated OER
1930 Census and the Consitution
Students read the Constitution and discuss the importance of enumeration. In this Census lesson plan, students complete a Census schedule and discuss the job skills of applicants. Students research Census data to compare and contrast the...
Curated OER
Rooster's Night Out
Mitch Weiss and Martha Hamilton's Rooster's Night Out, a retelling of a classic Cuba folktale, launches a cross-curricular study of Cuban cultural traditions. Class members draw the characters from the book, participate in math and...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Tell Me Again
Students demonstrate how to retell a story in sequential order. For this reading comprehension lesson, students listen to a suggested read aloud, such as Little Boy Blue. Additionally, students practice retelling the story by using...
Curated OER
The "Pick-Your-Favorite-Bat" Report
Students research one of the bats listed in the lesson plan. In this research lesson, students write a report using Microsoft Word and draw a picture that can be shared.
Curated OER
It's My Right
Students participate in activities examining the Bill of Rights. They discover the different articles and Amendments.
Curated OER
Tunes for Bears to Dance to: Questioning Strategy, Discussion Web
Readers of Robert Cormier's Tunes for Bears to Dance to are asked to consider the morality of the central character's actions
Youth Outreach
Connecting the Separate Powers
Scholars demonstrate what they know about the separation of powers through role play. Two individuals act out a skit as the remaining class members discuss and decide whether the interaction they observed is an appropriate example of the...
Outdoor Learning Center
Outdoor Survival
Which of the following can you survive without for the longest time: water, food, or a positive mental attitude? The answer may surprise you. Guide learners of all ages through games, activities, and discussions about surviving in the...
Science Matters
Ring of Fire
Over a period of 35 years, earthquakes and volcanoes combined only accounted for 1.5 percent of the deaths from natural disasters in the United States. The 15th lesson in a 20-part series connects the locations of earthquakes and...
Curated OER
Technology-commected Folklife Lesson Plan: Fables
Pupils discuss ways the stories were alike and different. The teacher demonstrate how to draw a Venn diagram using Microsoft Word. They label the two circles and enter the likenesses and differences on the diagram.
Curated OER
Hurricanes
Students study hurricanes and their patterns. For this hurricane lesson, students watch a video clip tracing Hurricane's Ivan's path in Alabama. Students discuss hurricanes and watch a 3-D video of Hurricane Ivan. Students visit a...
Curated OER
Methods of Collecting Information
Third graders examine a bag or box of soil containing items that they dig for. Their task is to become detectives to make conclusions about the area from which the items came as real archaeologists do.