Curated OER
I'll Trade a Ponce de Leon for a Columbus...
Third graders research the discovery of the Americas by various explorers. They create a multiedia presentation about an explorer of their choice including their motivations, obstacles, and successes. Their explorer information will be...
Curated OER
Gyotaku Lesson Plan
Students examine and discuss the history and process of Gyotaku, or fish prints. They view images of Gyotaku, create a fish print, and write a haiku.
Curated OER
Leonardo da Vinci: Creative Genius
Students discuss how Leonardo Da Vinci reflected the spirit of the Renaissance. They examine his achivements and explain the significance of his notebooks. They write essays on what constitutes a "rRenaissance man."
National First Ladies' Library
Leeches and Spiders and Toads, Oh, My! The Emergence of Modern Medicine
Students explore the basic ideas and beliefs about medicine in the 18th and 19th centuries. They write a news account to be published in a "medical journal" developed by the class. Each "article" in the journal should be dated...
Curated OER
Lasers Saving Sight
Young scholars review some basic biology by talking about how the eye works. They cover the concepts behind laser surgery as a treatment for saving sight. They begin to recognize the overlap of disciplines (physics and biology) required...
Curated OER
Initiation – Industrial Revolution
Sixth graders examine historical artifacts. In this Industrial Revolution lesson, 6th graders discover how modern conveniences are connected to innovations of the Industrial Revolution era. Students interview adults about technological...
Curated OER
Grab a Winning Book to Read on March 3
Young scholars identify periods of history and read a news article about a librarian who wrote an award winning book. For this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with a class challenge and a vocabulary activity,...
Curated OER
Live From Antiquity!
Students gain an appreciation for Greek drama through study of a play by Sophocles. They explore the cultural and historical context of Greek drama and its role in Greek society. Students write a report after seeing the play performed live.
Curated OER
Pilgrims: The First Americans
Fifth graders become familar with the pilgrims and first Thanksgiving through essays about important people of the time. In this Thanksgiving lesson, 5th graders choose an important figure from the time of the Pilgrims and write a...
Curated OER
A Passage Through Time
Young learners research and present information about a chosen subject to their peers, parents, instructors, and community. This lesson has a strong research and public speaking component, and would be ideal for your higher level students.
Curated OER
World War II Webquest
Tenth graders work with a partner to locate and follow the directions of a webquest of their choice. Using the internet, they research their topic in depth and write a paper on their findings. They are assessed by the criteria on the...
Griffen Publishing
Learning From the Past
The big idea for this lesson plan is that the past enriches our present and future. Learners explore the origin of the Olympic Games and how one man took an event from the past and reinvented it for modern times. They compare and...
Curated OER
Create a Research Book
Learners use the internet to research the production of manuscripts and books. Using this information, they create a research book full of tips to research effectively. They share their new book with the class after organizing the material.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Micronesian Independence Day
Students pretend that they are visiting a relative in Micronesia and compare its Independence Day with the U.S. holiday. They compare the two countries' flags while older students in grades three through five create travelogues. Younger...
Curated OER
Posters with a "Twist"
Students examine how posters can depict history and reflect societal issues of an era. They apply principles of poster art to create original posters reflecting society in 19th century England.
Curated OER
Relative Dating-Telling Time Using Fossils
Students explore how to read fossil range charts. They develop an knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of the fossil record. Students become familiar with the concepts index fossil and fossil range. Students use bar graphs to...
Curated OER
Explorer Trading Cards
Fourth graders make Explorer Trading Cards. They work with a partner and research information about the explorers.
Curated OER
Exploring the Sky: Reading Maria's Comet
Discover the science behind astronomy. After reading the book Maria's Comet, which is about a young woman who breaks new ground by becoming a female astronomer, young learners practice reading comprehension with...
Curated OER
New Mammal Species Found
Learners brainstorm ideas about rodents, mammals and new discoveries. They describe rodents and participate in pre-reading activities. They read, discuss, and complete role play activities based on an article on the discovery of a new...
Curated OER
Kwanzaa Science
Students study the parts of a plant in order to better understand the muhindi as one of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa.
Curated OER
Make a Comet Model and Eat It!
Students construct a comet model based on procedure provided. In this space science lesson, students compare the physical properties of comets to the models they made. They record their observations and share them with the class.
Curated OER
State of Affairs Between the Native Americans and the European Settlers
Students examine relationship and contact between Native Americans and European Settlers, using primary sources.
Curated OER
Is It an Authentic Gutenberg Bible?
Sixth graders conduct Internet research to determine what makes Gutenberg Bible authentic, view Ransom Center's digitized version of Gutenberg Bible, and create Powerpoint presentation supporting research findings.
Curated OER
Dell House Dig
Learners experience an archaeological dig exploring off the shore of Black Hawk Island and Wisconsin River. They study in the same place where the infamous Dell House once stood. Dell House and its historical significance is reviewed...