Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Close Reading

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders read and study Hamlet. Then they are introduced to close reading as a means of understanding what is being read--not only understanding the printed word, but also the nuances and connotations of language as it is used by...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rights and Responsibilities: Grass Born to Be Stepped On

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students use the Internet and other resources to research an aspect of history that illustrates rights and responsibilities, including historical events, issues and ideas, and the people involved.
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Watching Crystals Grow

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Amazing science can sometimes happen right before your eyes! The class gets cozy as they watch crystals grow. They use Epsom salts, rocks, and food coloring to create crystals. They'll observe the entire process, documenting every step...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In the Company of Wild Butterflies

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Pupils discover the life cycle of a butterfly and explain the different stages.  In this exploratory lesson students watch a video and create insect art and they will get an opportunity to view live specimens of butterflies. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Arthurian Legend

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils use the internet to track the growth of the King Arthur legend from the Dark Ages to its arrival on the silver screen.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching About Asia; Freeman Seminar

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students integrate the study of photography and Eastern Culture for the purpose of increasing artistic expression. They produce high quality photographs in conjunction with conducting research with meaningful writing produced with the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students research one of the six wives of Henry VIII in groups to provide expert presentations. In this European History lesson, students view a film and take notes on Henry VIII's wives. Students evaluate the information from the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Growth in A City Neighborhood

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars take the "role" of city planner. They overlay a map of one area of the city in the past, present, and projected future project. Students discuss reasons for selecting the special features of the area. The lesson refers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Famous People of Japan

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students conduct research to follow several essential questions that guide the lesson. The concern of the student research is the finding of contributions of famous Japanese to the culture of the United States.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Was the Iraq War a "Humanitarian Intervention?"

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Pupils debate the intent of the Iraq war.  In this humanitarian intervention lesson, students each research a view point and defend it in a class room debate.  Pupils defend the views points of Terry...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Japanese Society

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct research into the life of being a person who is Japanese. The lesson plan uses essential questions in order to guide the research. Classroom activities are used to encourage discussion.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mountain Humor: Folklore

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils complete a series of lesson plans that examine and define Appalachian humor. They complete surveys and examine Appalachian folk tales, picture books, film and jokes for shared characteristics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African Americans Seen Through the Eyes of the Newsreel Cameraman

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders become familiar with the role of African Americans during WWII.  In this WWII lesson plan, 5th graders watch a newsreel and discuss its use as a primary source.  Students answer questions about the newsreel.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The City Symphony- The Original Reality Show

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners discuss the purpose of city symphonies that were used in the past. In groups, they compare and contrast the social systems of a school and city to create their own city symphony video together. They also write what is known as...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life During the Civil War for Women and Civilians

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars follow an overview of the American Civil War from a film, the text and/or teacher direct instruction. They create a timeline with a large map of the U.S. in the 1860's available for student reference as they do the spider...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Whole Lotta Shakin'

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students read first hand accounts of earthquake survivors in order to begin the describe the different types of earthquake waves and the order in which they arrive. They engage in using earthquake waves as a means to indirectly study the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Putting the World in Perspective

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students work in small groups to: make a mental map of the world by tearing paper shapes of the seven continents and locating them on a flat surface in their relative positions, compare their finished mental map to a reference world map,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Many Faces of Paul Robeson

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students discuss and construct timelines based on the life of author/performer/Civil Right's activist, Paul Robeson. They view photographs of him at various times in his life and discuss the roles he may have been playing at those times.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Secret Message

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore a woman war hero, Hannah Senesh, who used secret codes and messages to protect important information. They follow instructions to write their own secret messages.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

America's Involvement in World War I

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars investigate online websites on German U-boat naval warfare, conditions in the trenches and the effects of poisonous gases. They write three entries in a diary from different perspectives.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Getting Away with Torture?"

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss what they know about the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib. They research policy memos and assess their influence on military personnel. They identify the Geneva Conventions rule on the treatment of prisoners as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Primary Sources in the Classroom

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Suggestions for using primary sources.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lessons in Drama: Learning About American Political Thought

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students develop critical thinking skills so that they may produce their own written plays or music from their thoughts and feelings. They express their thoughts based on what has been presented to them over the duration of the course.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Developing Relationships with Older People

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Young scholars read books and view movies about older people. They write a questionnaire to interview older people at a retirement center, interview the people, record their information on graphs, and write follow-up letters.