Penguin Books
An Educator’s Guide to Ruta Sepetys
Historical fiction novels give readers a chance to step into someone else's shoes. An educator's guide from Penguin Common Core Lesson Plans provides resources to accompany three historical fiction novels written by Ruta Sepetys: Between...
Chicago Botanic Garden
Historical Climate Cycles
Ice core samples give scientists access to climates of old—those from more than 800,000 years ago. Through an analysis of various temperature graphs from ice cores, tree rings, and weather stations, scholars compare historical climates...
Curated OER
The Bill of Rights: Debating the Amendments
Provide your class with an opportunity to investigate an important historical document. Without identifying the document, distribute copies of the original Bill of Rights, as transcribed by John Beckley, Clerk of the House of...
Smithsonian Institution
Eastern Indian Wars
Many know that Native Americans were forced off their lands and moved west, but how did these people react? The Red Sticks faction of the Creek nation opted to defend themselves and their lands in a series of wars called the Eastern...
Carolina K-12
African Americans in the United States Congress During Reconstruction
The Civil Rights Act of 1866, which granted citizenship to all males in the U.S., resulted in the first African Americans to be elected to Congress. Class members research 11 of these men, the challenges they faced, and craft...
Describing Egypt
Ptah-Hotep and Akhet-Hotep Mastaba
Did you know that mastaba means bench in Arabic? Learn why a mastaba was so important to ancient Egyptian architecture. Middle and high schoolers alike stay entertained while reading a passage that describes the virtual tour of...
Curated OER
Fish Farm: an open ended, student centered laboratory activity
Students are contacted by a fictitious company which raises tropical fish to do basic research for them so that they might keep their production costs down. They need to know the optimum salinity in which to hatch the brine shrimp that...
Curated OER
Harmonic Motion
In this harmonic motion worksheet, students read about repetitive motion, the parts of harmonic motion, and graphing harmonic motion. Students then complete 5 matching and 20 fill in the blank questions.
Curated OER
Oscillations
Students construct and compare the actions of various pendulums. In this pendulum motion lesson, students build and test different types of pendulums. They conduct experiments with the length of the swing arm and apply mathematical...
Curated OER
Energy Motion in the Ocean
Students explore the wave energy that is generated and transferred in the ocean. Through the use video and the Internet, students explore the aspects of a wave and how its energy affects the ecology of the seashore.
Curated OER
Writing a Personal Narrative
Students complete a variety of computer file pre-writing activities to help them prepare for writing a personal narrative. They focus on including a beginning, middle and end to their narrative. They make a class book.
Curated OER
Sequencing a "How-to" Piece
In his sequencing learning exercise, students write a "how to" article telling how to eat a cookie. In this essay learning exercise, students write 3-5 sentences.
Curated OER
Round Robin Suspense
Students, in groups, write suspense stories. At the end of a timed period, they pass the story to the next student to continue it. At the last writing session, the papers are returned to the originators and they share the stories with...
Curated OER
Slave Narratives
Young scholars use a database to find and read examples of slave narratives. In groups, they read the various narratives and discuss their feelings about them. They also research the time period in which the narratives were written to...
Curated OER
Reformation and Counter-reformation
Tenth graders examine the major theologies and practices for major religions. In this World History lesson, 10th graders describe the historical significance of key leaders and events. Students analyze the changes over this...
Curated OER
Immigration in the United States
Learners examine the reasons why people leave their country to live in another. In groups, they use print and electronic resources to answer questions about where immigrants came from during different time periods and advice given to...
Curated OER
From War to Peace
In this post World War I worksheet, students review a chapter as they write 5 vocabulary terms that match 5 definitions, change 3 false statements into true statements, and explain 2 historical themes regarding this time period in United...
Curated OER
Christmas Carol Project
Eighth graders create a researched presentation comparing and contrasting holiday celebrations from the period surrounding Charles' Dickens 'A Christmas Carol.' In this Christmas celebrations lesson, 8th graders discuss differences...
Curated OER
Wrapping up The Stone Cutter
Young scholars write a paper in which they detail the daily routine of an architect. In this The Stone Cutter lesson, students discuss the end of the novel and share journals with peers. Young scholars choose a time period in...
Curated OER
The Spanish Entrada
For this Arizona history worksheet, students read a 5 page selection that includes primary sources about time periods in the state's history. Students then respond to 5 short answer questions based on the selection.
Curated OER
King Arthur's Family Tree
Students examine the genealogy of King Arthur. They create a poster of his family tree and shares with the class. They also place other key figures of the time period on the poster to put his life in perspective.
Curated OER
African-American Autobiography for the Middle School Student
Students are introduced to the characteristics of an autobiography. For each author, they research their life and works and discuss why it reflects different time periods of African-Americans. In groups, they brainstorm characteristics...
Curated OER
Prince Hall and His Organization of Black Free Masons in the United States
Young scholars examine the life of Prince Hall who became a member of the Free Masons during the time period of slavery. Depending on the grade level, they are shown pictures or read a reference guide listing the characteristics of each...
Curated OER
Religious and Political Changes in Europe
Eighth graders examine the Protestant Reformation and the Spanish Armada. After taking notes, they read an excerpt of their textbook and complete a worksheet. To end the lesson, they complete a timeline of the major events of both time...