PBS
Gratitude and the Environment
A class discussion begins a two-part lesson about gratitude and the environment. In part one, learners watch a video then share their feelings about its most memorable moment. Delving deep into the meaning of gratitude, scholars create...
Workforce Solutions
Speed Interviewing
An important part of the job search process is the personal interview. Help pupils prepare with speed interviewing activity—teams of three-act as a job seeker, interviewer, and observer. Every three minutes, participants rotate roles and...
Workforce Solutions
Workplace Personalities
Being able to get along with a variety of personalities in the workplace is a key job skill. To gain insight into the importance of this skill, class members take on roles of various personality types and work in groups to try to build a...
Workforce Solutions
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
A short video demonstrates the importance of non-verbal communication in the forming of first impressions. Viewers observe the facial expressions, tone of voice, body language, and appearance of job seekers in an interview, then discuss...
Center for History Education
Women's Rights in the American Century
Today, many young people find it hard to understand why it took over 150 years for women in the United States to get the right to vote—why there was even a need for the suffrage movement. As they read a series of primary source...
Overcoming Obstacles
Becoming a Good Friend
A instructional activity focuses on the qualities of a good friend. Scholars discuss how to be a good friend and decorate a hand cutout to represent a high five of friendship. Small groups offer encouragement and give compliments to each...
Curated OER
The World In My Community
Students identify products in their community which are imported from other countries. After conducting a personal household survey, students research the product's country of origin. They discover the role imports have upon their...
Curated OER
What is An American?
Learners consider American values. In this individual responsibility instructional activity, students discuss democratic ideals that the nation was founded on and participate in an activity that requires them to create "What is an...
Curated OER
Wetland Wonders
Students study the characteristics of wetlands, and their importance to humans and wildlife.
Curated OER
Magna Carta Student Worksheet
In this individual rights worksheet, students read a 1-page selection as well as Internet articles about the Magna Carta and then respond to 8 short answer questions.
Curated OER
To Vote or Not to Vote? that is the Question!
Students examine voting rights provided by the United States Constitution. In this voting lesson, students focus on 3 amendments that extended voting rights to all citizens. Students discuss the importance of expressing opinions through...
Curated OER
Who Do You Think You Are?
Students discuss, and record significant events and people in their lives. They discover the reality of the past and recognize and attempt to project the future as a result of knowledge gained. They recognize and realize their...
Curated OER
Your Safety and Security or Your Civil Liberties - Which is More Important?
Students examine provisions of USA PATRIOT Act and controversies that led the ACLU to take legal action against the legislation. They create, conduct, and document results of a survey related to the PATRIOT Act and controversies...
Curated OER
Money Matters: The Importance of Global Cooperation
Students prepare for a visit to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). For this lesson students create a concept map of money. They discuss the goals of the IMF. Students research countries currently changing into market economies. After...
Curated OER
Money Matters: The Importance of Global Cooperation
Students explore the International Monetary Fund (IMF). In this global economics lesson, students prepare for a field trip to the IMF as they examine the history of the IMF and their role in global trade.
Curated OER
Important Contributions to American Culture
Fifth graders explore the contributions of different cultures to the American landscape. Students work in groups and use a variety of resources to create a presentation about a group that emigrated to America.
Curated OER
Compound Words - Individual Activities
In these compound word worksheets, students engage in numerous activities to reinforce what they have learned about compound words. Nine worksheet provide various means of reinforcing the concept including word puzzles and...
Curated OER
Why is a salt marsh important?
Students discuss the salt marsh. They define the following terms: habitat, water, land and air. Students work in small groups. They are asked why are they going to a salt marsh? Students discuss whose habitat is it at the salt marsh.
Curated OER
Exploring the History of the I&M Canal
Students examine the building of the I & M canal in Chicago. Using the internet, they research the lives of the individuals who worked on the construction and develop a timeline of events. They explore the impact of the canal on...
Curated OER
Individual Responsibility--Inaction Is Action
Learners view a video that explores the impact an individual can have on a community. They consider the consequences of acting or not acting on their own convictions and participate in a class discussion to share their observations.
Curated OER
The Important Poem
Students are read numerous examples of strong poetry. Individually, they brainstorm a list of interests or attributes about themselves and choose the most important one. They write a poem using the attribute and shares the poem with the...
Curated OER
The Importance of Water
Students explore the importance of water. They discuss why water is important and students design an experiment that evaluates the water quality and methods of improving water quality. Students perform testing and report their findings.
Curated OER
Individual Rights -- Freedom of Speech at School
Young scholars examine their individual rights at a public school. In groups, they identify the most common ways of expressing themselves and why they should limit their speech in public. They compare and contrast two cases in which they...
Curated OER
The Symbolic Importance of Animals
Students create individual examples of the Chinese Zodiac using pizza boards, pictures of zodiac animals, and art supplies. Evaluation of student progress is done through full-class and small group discussions.