Curated OER
Diffusion Through Balloons
Learners observe the diffusion of air molecules through a balloon. In this chemistry and molecules instructional activity, students fill balloons with air and a scented substance and observe whether the scented air is able to permeate...
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Adopt a Tree
First graders describe the characteristics of a tree. In this science lesson, 1st graders create predictions about a book they will be listening to, Have you Seen Trees. Additionally, students describe their trees using their 5 senses....
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Tennessee Williams: Exploring the American Dream
Students read and analyze selections of Tennessee Williams' work.  They write journal responses, conduct Internet research, perform various scenes from one of Williams' dramas, and create a presentation.
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Harriet Tubman Integrated Unit
Young scholars organize facts about Harriet Tubman. For this writing lesson, students research Harriet Tubman, sort facts about her into two categories, and use the information they have found to write about her life in complete paragraphs.
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Our Five Senses
Students are introduced to the five senses through tasks that require them to use each sense in isolation. Students discover how humans use their senses to learn more about their environment.
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Border Legends, Myth, & Folklore
Students examine the narrative forms and tales unique to the U.S.-Mexico border. They discuss the possible sociological meanings of these stories, and then write their own versions to demonstrate that they explain the forms.
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Holocaust Theme
Young scholars complete a unit of lessons on the events of the Holocaust during WWII. They write daily journal entries, create a collage, view and discuss videos, read and analyze novels and poetry, and complete a novel project.
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The Ogre Bully
Young scholars listen to the book, The Ogre Bully, and discuss the problems the farmer and his family had during the story.  In this garden themed lesson, students examine different fruit and vegetables and plant them in soil...
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Sampling the American Dream
Students, after viewing a variety of different and unique websites, write a short paragraph on each one that describes their reactions to specific information on unfamiliar subjects. They react to each website as personally as they can.
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Hollywood
Pupils listen to a play, or perhaps, take turns reading portions of it aloud. Afterward, they thoughtfully analyze and discuss the components of a well-written play. Next, a theme is assigned, and each person writes a play in conjunction...
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The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Eleventh graders discover the thematic connections between classical literary and popular song lyrics.  In this English lesson, 11th graders research a specific topic to be presented to the class.  Students analyze song lyrics...
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Family Traditions
High schoolers research their family traditions.  They select a tradition that has meaning to them and write about the traditions.  They retell the story to a partner and add details.  They write a draft of their story to a partner and...
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Joseph Raffael
Pupils examine and discuss a painting of a lizard by the artist Joseph Raffael. They list descriptive words about the lizard, and write a Cinquain and create a painting about a lizard.
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Animal and People Habitats
Students examine how animals create a unique space in which they can live. Students read a poem about animals' habitats discuss the habitats. They draw a space of their own and write a poem that describes their habitat.
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Comparison Contrast Essay
Students compare and contrast the experience of the migrant worker as depicted in The Grapes of Wrath with the experiences of migrant children as depicted in the narratives and poems provided.
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Teaching Money
Students identify coin/money values, write amounts of money and calculate change.  The poem, "Smart" by Shel Silverstein is used in this lesson.
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Directed Reading Thinking Activity: "A Raisin in the Sun"
Students predict outcomes of a text. In this comprehension strategy lesson, students read a poem and compare it to the play A Raisin in the Sun. Students discuss their similarities and the power of dreams.
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Teaching Money
Students identify the coins and bills used in the United States. They write the amounts of each bill and coin and practicing counting different amounts. They follow a demonstration about how to count money as well.
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Grandparents' Day: Family History
Pupils explore Grandparents' Day.  They interview their grandparents and select an activity to highlight their interview. They select a project including writing an essay, composing a song, creating a poem or scrapbook, or writing a...
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Awareness OF Self And Others
Students engage in a activity that attempts to convey information about self and others. The activity teaches them about diversity and attempts to heighten the awareness of respecting it. They become engaged in the activity with the use...
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Commemorations Across Cultures
Young scholars explore how different cultures commemorate people and events. They research how commemorations are created through music, painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, and poetry. In collaborative, students create a...
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Remembering the First
Pupils examine words and phrases associated with World War I as an introduction the era.  They explore the legacy of World War I by reading and discussing "The War to End All Wars If Only."  Students write obituries for fallen World War...
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Haydn's Surprise
Students listen to Haydn's "Surprise" and use the score to create themes and variations with other rhythms. They create poems using Haydn's rhythm in the symphony and research his life. They also use "body percussion" to play parts of...
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Art and National Identity: Analyzing Painting and Literature from the Era of Manifest Destiny
Young scholars begin the lesson by discussing the causes and effects of the movement west. Using primary sources, they develop their own definition for manifest destiny.  In groups, they view examples of paintings and read poems on the...