Curated OER
The Father of Our Country
Explore United States history with this lesson plan on George Washington and the Revolutionary War. After reading biographical information about George Washington, learners make a list of ten reasons for the revolution. They create a...
Curated OER
Go West: Imagining the Oregon Trail
Young scholars access the Oregon Trial website to find information on what it was like to experience traveling the Oregon Trial. Then, in groups, they create dioramas depicting events that could have happened along the Oregon Trail.
Curated OER
Stories in Quilts
Have your class analyze the narrative art in quilts. They identify elements in this domestic art and the stories they tell. They define a story quilt, view an example, and analyze the work of Harriet Power. This is a great lesson to...
Curated OER
Immigration
This 3-day immigration study draws on historical trends and current events. A worksheet accompanies initial research on one group's U.S. immigration history, giving opportunity for collaborative learning through sharing findings. Groups...
Curated OER
Mathematical Modeling
Study various types of mathematical models in this math lesson plan. Learners calculate the slope to determine the risk in a situation described. They respond to a number of questions and analyze their statistical data. Then, they...
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "A New National Anthem" by Ada Limón
Ada Limon's poem, "A New National Anthem," offers young scholars an opportunity to reflect on the significance of the US national anthem and the extent to which Key's vision applies to all Americans. After watching a video of Whitney...
Curated OER
Light
Light is such a fascinating subject. This instructional activity does a great job of illuminating the mysteries of light for your young scientists. A series of demonstrations which are explained in the plan should help your charges to...
Newseum
News Confusion: What Is News?
Use headlines to help your learners understand what news is. First, present a list of categories to your class. Then instruct small groups to play a game in which they sort headlines into the categories. Discuss the result and examine...
NPR
This Isn't Right: Women Reform Leaders
The 20th century saw many new possibilities open up to women in America, thanks to many well-known female historical figures — and some women who are not as famous but who are equally accomplished. Learn about the women who contributed...
PBS
Puerto Rican Perspectives
Puerto Ricans are wholly American, but their history with the United States has been one of tumult. Using clips from a PBS documentary, viewers consider the history of the island and Puerto Rico's contributions to the mainland United...
Newseum
Civil Rights News Coverage: Looking Back at Bias
Not all southern newspapers covered the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Young journalists investigate how The Lexington (Ky. Herald-Leader and The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun re-examined their coverage of the movement. After...
Curated OER
Weathering and Erosion
Fourth graders take a look at the effects of weathering and other geologic activities found in the environments in which they live. Along with a guided geologic walk outside of campus, there is also an effective in-class demonstration of...
Curated OER
Explore Elizabeth I
Students explore the events of a coronation and how people dress for a special event. In this key events lesson, students view pictures of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth I. Students discuss special occasion and dress up. Students...
Curated OER
Sequencing: Pictures Tell a Story
Students listen to a story and observe five illustrations of the main events drawn by the teacher. They arrange the illustrations in sequential order. Then, working in groups of five, they read stories and select five events, one for...
Curated OER
Family Math Workshops
Young scholars explore the math they are learning in the classroom with their families. In this math workshop lesson, participants learn about the types of mathematics being taught in the classroom. These workshops provide opportunities...
Curated OER
A Question, Mr. Lincoln!
Learners discuss Abraham Lincoln. In this social science lesson, students describe key events in Lincoln's life. Learners practice using interviewing skills to gather information pretending to be Lincoln.
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Analyzing Literary Elements in Fiction
Students analyze the characters and events in fictional writing. In this literary elements lesson, students study the meaning of the words characterization and fiction. They listen to the story Pigsty by Mark Teague, or any other book...
Curated OER
Botanical Discoveries
Sixth graders examine the Lewis and Clark Expedition. For this plant discovery lesson, 6th graders put in chronological order the plant discoveries of Lewis and Clark. Students understand the characteristics of leaves and find the area...
Curated OER
Hindenburg
Students write a diary entry from the perspective of someone who was affected by the Hindenburg explosion. In this Hindenburg lesson plan, students learn the history behind the explosion, discuss the reactions of people, and discuss...
Curated OER
And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor
Students act as groups of event planners to invent large entertainment events, determine appropriate sponsorship categories for them, identify potential sponsors within those categories, and pitch their ideas to those companies.
Curated OER
A Plague on Both Your Houses: a Romantic Guide To Transgression
What are the roles within your family, culture and society as well as the personal and societal consequences of transgressing them? To explore this question, class members look at long-held traditions, examples in literature (Romeo and...
Curated OER
Breaking News: Bin Laden Photo To Be Released
Students explore current events by completing worksheet activities in class. In this Osama Bin Laden instructional activity, students read the news article of Bin Laden's death and subsequent photo while discussing the event with...
Curated OER
Making History Relevant
Students maintain a weekly news journal in which they summarize current news articles and then relate them to topics previously studied in history class.
Curated OER
Breaking News: Syria Protests Getting Bigger (April 16th, 2011)
Students explore current events by participating in several worksheet style activities. In this Syrian protest lesson, students read a news article discussing the Syrian uprising that took place in April of 2011. Students complete...