Curated OER
Gratitude Journals
Students brainstorm ideas of thankfulness or being grateful for things and use these ideas to create a personal gratitude journal. They build a book using copy paper, twigs and rubber bands then explore different techniques to create a...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Adinkra Printing
First graders demonstrate a sense of artistic composition by creating shapes and symbols in the pattern of African Adinkra printing. They use glue to create a raised design and then print it on colored paper. Students use symbols from...
Curated OER
Map Making
Learners use a tennis ball and paper to construct a student-made globe. They sketch in continents and major map features and then compare a flat map to a globe.
Curated OER
Kwanzaa Gift
Students celebrate Kwanzaa. In this Kwanzaa activity, students create gifts that are handmade. Students use buttons, ribbon, paint, construction paper and glue to create gifts.
Curated OER
Your Trash, My Treasure
Pupils create their own sculpture representing the idea of environmental responsibility and recycling. In this science lesson, students observe Les Constellations des Voisines du Pole by Joseph Cornell, make recycled paper, and use this...
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African Dogon Rabbit Mask
Students are introduced to the Dogon Society of Africa and view examples of African mask art. They use grocery bags, paper and glue to make a mask that represents an animal and then stage a dance to imitate the characteristics of their...
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Adire Eleko Cloth Glue Patterns
First graders are introduced to the art form of African Adire Eleko cloth - painted patterned textiles. They use paper, glue and paint to imitate the technique and create similar patterns on paper.
Curated OER
Equivalent Fraction Quilts
Fifth graders practice fraction skills by making quilts using paper or cloth for the squares and rectangles. Each square of the quilt is an equivalent fraction which they design. Students can also use this activity to demonstrate how to...
Curated OER
A Dreamer's Cloak
Students listen to the teacher read "A Dreamer's Cloak." They examine the difference between squares and circles and create their own cloak by using a paper bag and different shapes.
Curated OER
Visual Arts: Clay Pots
Students plan and create spiral-built pots. Once they designs are complete and shaped, they are fired, painted and wrapped. Students decorate paper and wrap pots to present as gifts for various holidays.
Curated OER
Prepositional Phrases
Focus on prepositions and prepositional phrases, is the goal of this game of charades. The clues are based on maps that they have drawn out of a hat, and describe how to get to a certain location in a town using prepositions. Note:...
Curated OER
Haiku Leaves
Fifth graders create their own Haiku poem about something they saw on a trip outdoors. They write it on a handmade leaf which is used to create an autumn display in the classroom.
Curated OER
Folklore; The Story Of The Milky Way
The students choose and read a Native American Folktale, analyze and sequence the story-line using a graphic organizer, then make a "woven" story blanket (from construction paper) depicting character, plot (including problem) and outcome.
Curated OER
Easter Egg Math
First graders apply logic and reasoning skills to solve math word problems. Using four colored paper eggs and four names, they try to soilve the logic puzzle by matching a name with a favorite color. Students check their answers on the...
Curated OER
Plantable Pulp Cards
What a great way to give a gift that keeps on giving! These homemade plantable cards are not only beautiful, but can be planted into the ground to sprout in the right season. Incorporate this project in a science unit, or for a Mother's...
Curated OER
Extra! Extra!
Learners describe how plants and animals depend on each other. They see how living and nonliving environments change over time. They identify ways in which humans have changed their environment and the effects of those changes.
American Museum of Natural History
Dress Up a Horse
Walk, trot, gallop! Young equestrians have an opportunity to learn all about horses with an engaging resource that lets them select tack to dress up a horse, create flip books that illustrate the various gates, have questions answered by...
Curated OER
I Can Buy Anything I Want: Consumer Debt and Social Responsibility
A clear, comprehensive overview of consumer debt, credit, interest, international currency, and social responsibility, this 45-minute session falters in the application stage. You'll need to create a way for learners to demonstrate their...
Read Works
How to Say “I Ruff You”
Who says you need a human to be your valentine on Valentine's Day? Give your dog-loving readers an inspiring perspective on how a sister givdes her brother a valentine from the family dog. They then answer 10 questions thatd involve...
Polar Trec
Playground Profiling—Topographic Profile Mapping
The Kuril islands stretch from Japan to Russia, and the ongoing dispute about their jurisdiction prevents many scientific research studies. Scholars learn to create a topographic profile of a specific area around their schools. Then they...
Curated OER
Junk Mail Jewelry
Students create jewelry from junk mail. In this visual art lesson, students use junk mail to design necklaces and bracelets.
Arts & Humanities
Make a Souvenir Suitcase
Shoe boxes are fantastic for art projects! Kids create travel boxes, where they can store their travel memorabilia. Tip: Instead of using this idea to make travel cases, create social studies boxes instead. Kids will make these travel...
Curated OER
A School Yard Journal
Fourth graders create journals with explicit descriptions of objects found on the school yard. For this descriptive writing lesson, 4th graders read some of Lewis and Clark's journal entries before they explore the school yard, then...
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Mapping School Grounds
Young scholars map and analyze the natural and cultural environment of the school grounds. In small groups, they sketch the natural and cultural features of each side of the school building, create a map, participate in a class...