Curated OER
A Christmas Celebration in the Black Culture
How much does your class know about Kwanzaa? Using the Internet, pupils practice using the Internet to find information. They then compare and contrast the similarities and differences between Kwanzaa and Christmas.
Curated OER
Israel and Palestine: The Roots of Conflict
Students examine the causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In this world conflict lesson, students research print and Internet sources about the roots of the conflict and the status of the conflict today. Students use their...
Curated OER
The Eye; Structure and Function
Students research the structure and function of the eye. In this anatomy lesson, students write a report about the eye and draw an illustration. They research a particular animal's eye then present their findings to the class without...
Curated OER
A New Red Menace?
Students research and analyze the current political situation of North Korea. They read and discuss an article, conduct research, participate in a simulation of an international round table, and write a response essay.
Curated OER
To the Beat of a Different Drum
Students describe the sounds, moods and styles of two different types of music. After reading an article, they discover how a journalist uses language to describe and give feelings to the music. They review a type of music of interest...
Curated OER
How to Make Recycled Egyptian Paper
Students participate in a lesson that focuses on the production of Egyptian paper used for writing in modern times. They research the process of recycling and how it can help to preserve natural resources. Then students reproduce their...
Curated OER
Nellie Bly's Newspaper Club: Introducing the Art of Writing
Students use video and the Internet to research the life of Nellie Bly, a famous female reporter from the 19th century. They research a writer and present their information to the class in the style of a news reporter.
California Department of Education
Gaining by Giving
Community service is a win-win! Scholars discover how to gain valuable career skills through helping others using a lesson plan about volunteer work. Second in a six-part career and college readiness series, the activities focus on...
Curated OER
If It's to Be, It's Up to Me!
Eighth graders discuss the question: How does one become an effective decision-maker or problem solver in social situations? They are given three brief scenarios and after each one students are asked, "What would you do?" Students think...
Curated OER
Narrative Writing for Publication
Seventh graders create an original narrative story in a diary or journal format involving a fictional character with conflict, plot, resolution and falling action within the story line. They follow the steps of the writing process with...
Curated OER
Acting Like a Third Grader (Part 1)
Third graders, after brainstorming the positive and negative types of behaviors, become aware of the right and wrong way to behave as a third grader. They perform a skit that demonstrates the skills and behaviors used by third grade...
PLS 3rd Learning
It Costs How Much!?!?
Many teens conjure up images of how great their first apartment will be, but they lack a solid understanding of what it will cost to make it look that way. To gain an appreciation for the cost of furnishings, they create a collage of a...
Curated OER
Literary Terms: Take Me to the Theater!
Take your class to the theater! First graders will examine characters that actors play such a villians and heroes. Then participate in creating plays and performing in them. They will also research what it takes to create scenery, props...
Curated OER
The Chinese Rites Controversy: A Case Study in Cross-Cultural Exchange and Cross-Cultural Conflict
Young scholars examine the various groups involved in the Rites Controversy of China. They participate in a simulation of representatives involved in the Rites Controversy, conduct research, write a persuasive paper, and participate in a...
Curated OER
Labeling a Map of Australia
Third graders label a map of Australia. Using the internet, they research the history and maps of the continent and print a blank map. They review on how to use a compass rose and legend. In groups, they create a brochure to share...
Curated OER
Living on a Fixed Income
Students examine living on a fixed income. In this financial analysis lesson, students discuss living on a fixed income and discuss wants and needs. Students research money saving tips and create a PowerPoint about the topic. Students...
Curated OER
Report Writing in Primary Grades
Students learn how to read a short section and parepare a sentence to share with the group. Students listen to the reading of expository text, restate, in sentence format, one fact learned from that text, and produce a report.
Curated OER
Design for Social Justice
Students create a solution to a social justice problem within their community. In this urban planning lesson, students read To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines. Students then complete a research...
Curated OER
Searching with Certainty
Students explore ways to determine credibility in sources of information. In small groups, students develop a thesis question for a research paper, then use three different methods to find Internet sites with credible information.
Curated OER
Introducing Biographies-Getting to Know You
Learners study biographies as a nonfiction genre while examining a variety of examples. Next, they access and complete an online tutorial about biographies. They choose one person that interests them to conduct further research using a...
Curated OER
Poetry Writing
Students read various examples of poetry and create a poetry portfolio. In this poetry writing instructional activity, students work at their own pace to complete a poetry portfolio with examples of the different poetic forms...
Curated OER
Get the Facts
Students explore spiders. In this spider instructional activity, students fill out KWL charts, discover facts about spiders and how to identify different spiders. Students research spiders on the Internet and do online activities.
National First Ladies' Library
Workers, Take a Holiday! the Beginning of Labor Day
When your upper elementary class returns in the fall, have them identify and define the beginnings of the labor movement and Labor Day in the United States. They thoughtfully reflect on changes that have occurred in the way we think...
Curated OER
Closer to the Ground
Students understand the idea of a nonprofit organization, the service donated by others, and how it helps a community. In this philanthropic lesson, students explore the types of nonprofits that would be beneficial to a school and what...