Facing History and Ourselves
Connecting to the Past
Young historians research the connections between their personal histories and the histories of our country to gain a deeper understanding of who they are. To begin, class members write about an object that they consider significant to...
Overcoming Obstacles
Exploring Alternatives and Considering Consequences
Before making important decisions, it's imperative to consider alternatives and the possible consequences of choices. The third lesson in the fallout shelter activity begins by asking participants to consider the possible positive and...
K20 LEARN
Writing An Argumentative Paragraph: Argumentative Writing
Learning how to craft a cogent argument based on a solid claim, supported with evidence and solid reasoning, is an important life skill. Teach middle schoolers about argumentative writing with a lesson asking them to analyze the claims,...
K20 LEARN
Transcending Boundaries - The Kiowa Six: The Legacy and Contributions of Six Kiowa Artists
The Kiowa Six, a group of Kiowa artists, are featured in the lesson plan that asks young historians to consider the importance of art in representing a culture and contributing to a group's legacy. After examining paintings by the group...
K20 LEARN
Spiders, Spiders, Everywhere: Poetry Analysis - Theme And Metaphor
Walt Whitman's poem "A Noiseless Patient Spider" provides high schoolers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of perseverance and fortitude. After drafting a Quick Write about a time they tried and tried again to accomplish...
Curated OER
American Political Culture
Examine American political culture with your scholars using this self-assessment lesson. Individuals rate a list of 14 values from highest to lowest, including ideas such as financial security, right to private property, justice,...
Curated OER
Male Image Building Utilizing the Writing Process
Introduce your class to the techniques of proper writing. In groups, they brainstorm their ideas on family structures and discuss the importance of having a male figure in their lives. After listening to an African-American poem, they...
Curated OER
Prioritizing National Economic Goals
Eighth graders define the generally accepted list of national economic goals. They discuss the compatability/incompatibility of goals. They participate in a consensus-building exercise to rank economic goals in order of importance.
Curated OER
Close Reading
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...
Curated OER
Retell And Summarize Text
Help your learners read a text and summarize it using their own words. The main idea and important details of an article are discussed before individuals write their summaries. To support discernment about what to include in a summary,...
Curated OER
Rates of Puberty Change
Eighth graders investigate the reasons for why individuals go through puberty at different times and rates. They conduct a personal worth role play to encourage diversity and self-acceptance. Group discussion is used for scaffolding the...
Curated OER
Florida Timeline:
Learners learn about important events in Florida history by making a timeline of the 10 most important events.
Curated OER
Student Education Pledge
We all have strengths and weaknesses, knowing what those are can help us move forward in life. Learners discuss the importance of going to college, then fill out an inventory of their personal strengths and weaknesses. They complete a...
Curated OER
Watering Our Prairie Farms
After reading an article about irrigation on Canadian farms, learners participate in a discussion. They individually write an opinion paper about the surrounding issues. A lesson like this can be used in an earth science class when...
Curated OER
The Stock Market: Risks & Rewards
In order to better understand the US economy, learners read and interpret stock market price reports. They define profits and explain the role of profits in the American economic system for both firms and individual investors. Several...
Curated OER
Kids and Leisure in Early 1900s Ann Arbor
Fourth graders describe how Michigan has changed and stayed the same over time; describe and classify human/cultural characteristics of Michigan; describe and explain the importance of individuals and groups who have made a difference.
Curated OER
Geography and Culture
Students explore African geography, study the overall continent of Africa and its individual countries, discuss demographics, and participate in research and class activities.
Curated OER
Environmental Changes from Space
Learners discuss Landsat Satellites and the use of the images they provide as well as the purpose of keeping records of the information from the satellites. The class works in groups to complete a worksheet on short term and long term...
Curated OER
Jobs I Like At Home and At School
Students explore jobs at home. They name a personal strength, indicate interests, and explain the importance of jobs to home and school.
Curated OER
Aerospace/Aeronautical Engineering: Build a Paper Airplane
Students brainstorm what it is like to fly on an airplane and discuss the parts of a plane. Students construct a paper plane of their own, decorate it, have a competition, and discuss the importance of each part of a plane and the role...
Curated OER
The Power of Mental Images: Visualizing Literature
With a chapter book in hand, readers practice visualizing the events and characters of the story. The lesson gives suggestions of novels that are rich in detail to help facilitate the process. Drawings from what they read act as the...
Curated OER
Parking Pass
Young scholars look at the rights and laws created to assist individuals with physical disabilities. In this instructional activity on fair treatment for all, students discuss symbols that related to people with disabilities. They...
Curated OER
The Influence of Citizen Action
Students brainstorm a list of items citizens can do to influence or change their government. In groups, they identify the reasons why it is important to vote and why they have a right to protest. They also write a letter to their...
Curated OER
Woodblock Printing: Early Printing Traditions in China
Students examine important role of woodblock printing in Chinese history, identify message important to them, and create woodblock prints to gain first-hand understanding of how it was used as tool for communication.