Unit Plan
Film Foundation

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: What Is a Movie?

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
Watching is not the same as seeing. Transform viewers from passive watchers to active students of film with this 34-page packet, filled with lessons and activities that use Mr. Smith Goes to Washington to examine the technology, the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

MAKE YOUR OWN MINUTE

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students create a historical minute based on a hero. They research the hero of their choice and write a script for two or three scenes with depict significant events from their heroes lives.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Hero Learning Circle

For Teachers K - Higher Ed
Students participate in a collaboration activity. In this My Hero Project lesson, students discover what a hero is to someone halfway around the world and themselves. Over the 16-week session, circles, made up of between 6-9 classes from...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Independent Studies Movies

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
History comes alive as groups work cooperatively to create short iMovies about a specific historical period of their choice. Ideal for late elementary grades, the lesson includes a video demonstration and a short materials list.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Go To The Movies

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore technology used in making movies. In this movie making lesson, students investigate how technology has improved in the entertainment industry. Students discover how simple tools are combined together to make complex...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Protecting Our Native Forests

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore environmental awareness by utilizing computer technology. In this ecosystem conservation lesson, students read assigned text which describes the current ecological conditions of Hawaii. Students collaborate in groups to...
Lesson Plan
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The New York Times

Big Brother vs. Little Brother: Updating Orwell's 1984

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Government surveillance is an enduring conflict that has become increasingly complex with our nation's use of technology. Add to the understanding of Orwell’s 1984 by using the resources here that display the contemporary actions of Big...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Whispers of Angels: Buffalo and the Underground Railroad

For Teachers 6th - 12th
What role did Buffalo, New York play in the Underground Railroad? Young historians investigate the Underground Railroad ties to Buffalo and western New York. They create a web site or multimedia presentation based on the research. If...
Unit Plan
San Francisco Symphony

Going West

For Teachers K - 2nd
Now this sounds like a fun lesson! Youngsters learn about pioneer life and the Westward Movement. First, they listen to the Copland's "Appalachian Spring," and then they discuss the elements of music found in the piece. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Be a Drum

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students use a scene from a book and make it come alive in movie clips.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native Americans - Searching for Knowledge and Understanding

For Teachers 7th - 12th
What do you know about American Indians? Upper graders compose an informational essay based on the research they conduct. They choose a Native American group to study and, using the provided list of web links, gather information and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Media for Democratic Citizenship

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine global development issues. In this media awareness lesson, students analyze current event issues and create video podcasts based on their research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Meet The Presidents

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Create a digital movie documenting research about an American President. Using internet sources, students with special needs gather information about their chosen president. Working in groups, they use this information to create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Midwest Region Commercials

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research their assigned state using a variety of resources including a website, books, and travel brochures. They complete questions on a worksheet to use when writing a commercial for the state. They film the commercial...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heaven or Ground Hog Day?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners discover the ideas of enlightenment by reading historical poetry. In this philosophical lesson, students read poems by Sir Walter Scott and Sergeant Joyce Kilmer while discussing the themes of the writing with classmates....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ethics and the World of Medicine

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine ethical issues in the field of medicine. In this ethics lesson, students explore primary and secondary sources regarding the discernment that medical professionals are presented with as they treat illnesses. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My State of the Union

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders, in groups, research states and using various print and nonprint reference materials. The groups make a presentation to inform the class about all the information from the state. This lesson plan provides imbedded support...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"ART ZOO 'Blacks in the Westward Movement', 'What Can You Do with a Portrait', and 'Of Beetles, Worms, and Leaves of Grass'"

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study black history, examine portraits and portrait making and create their own portraits, and  investigate their natural environment. This humanities lesson provides a text that can be used to teach lessons in black...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American History Digital Movie

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders create a video. In this historical presentation, 5th graders watch a video clip of a dramatization of a historical event in American History. Students discuss how this video was put together. Students divide into small...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Medical Scene Investigators

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate physical, psychological and societal implications of various medical problems. Using internet technology and videos, students gather information on a medical problem. They compare/contrast viewpoints that may...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Timeline Shuffle

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Pupils examine the role and importance of timelines, and the method for ordering events. They order events and create a timeline of significant technology achievements and scientific discoveries in order from earliest to the most recent.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flip Camera Christmas Lessons and Ideas

For Teachers Pre-K - 7th
Young scholars use a Flip camera to complete various projects about Christmas. In this Christmas and technology lesson, students write and record letters to Santa. Young scholars write letters to Christmas characters and record them....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Playing Historical Detective: Great Grandmother's Dress and Other Clues to the Life and Times of Annie Steel

For Teachers Pre-K - 8th
Students draw conclusions about an mystery person based on documents and artifacts provided. In this drawing conclusions instructional activity, students become detectives by reading and analyzing evidence provided. This instructional...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Can Do It: Creating How-To Videos

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create instructional videos. in this video lesson, students choose a subject area and topic to make their own how-to video. They research this topic and film their video using a flip-camera.