Center for Learning in Action
Investigating Physical and Chemical Changes
Super scientists visit ten stations to predict, observe, and draw conclusions about the physical and chemical changes that occur when different states of matter—liquid, solid, and gas—are placed under a variety of conditions. To...
Curated OER
Learn to Earn When you Tend to Spend
Analyzing and understanding word problems is extremely important. Pupils learn that in money problems, earn usually means you add and spend usually means you subtract. They will solve a series of money-related word problems, label coins,...
Curated OER
Memories from the National Sites
Students write a virtual postcard. In this logo instructional activity students are introduced to the concept of postcard writing. Students research the national sites and states highlighted on quarters for that year. Students take a...
National Wildlife Federation
Stifling, Oppressive, Sweltering, Oh My!
Looking for a hot date? Pick any day in August, statistically the hottest month in the United States. The 15th lesson in the series of 21 instructs pupils to investigate the August 2007 heat wave through NASA data, daily temperature...
Curated OER
States in the USA Quiz
For this online interactive geography quiz worksheet, students respond to 50 identification questions about the states in the United States of America. Students have 4 minutes to complete the quiz.
The New York Times
Investigating the Heroin and Prescription Opioid Epidemic
How bad is the opioid crisis in America? Has it gotten worse in the last few decades? Why? High schoolers delve into these questions with a thorough and thoughtful lesson from The New York Times on heroin prescription opioids. Starting...
Curated OER
Bombs Away!
Examine the different perspectives on the future of United States Navy bombing exercises taking place on Vieques, Puerto Rico with this lesson from The New York Times. Here, young learners read "Islanders to Vote on Vieques Bomb Drills,"...
Curated OER
Quarter Conservation
Here is another in the interesting series of lessons that use the special State Quarters as a learning tool. This one uses the California State Quarter. During this lesson, pupils learn the many ways they can conserve natural resources...
Curated OER
A System of Rules
Students write letters, create models, create a photo display, and make charts about the rules that a state has. For this rules lesson plan, students learn about and make different displays of how states come up with rules, change them,...
Curated OER
2nd Grade - Act. 22: The World Game
Second graders play World Game to become more familiar with continents, oceans, countries and states.
Curated OER
Midwest Region Commercials
Third graders research their assigned state using a variety of resources including a website, books, and travel brochures. They complete questions on a worksheet to use when writing a commercial for the state. They film the commercial...
University of New Mexico
New Mexico Land of Enchantment
Third graders research Native American Cultures surrounding New Mexico. They analyze the history and geography of the state. They play a guessing game that incorporates the indigenous plants and animals of New Mexico. In groups, learners...
Curated OER
Mapping America
While learning about the Louisiana Purchase, pupils practice map skills. This motivating instructional activity has them answer questions about the Louisiana Territory and the United States. It provides a quick and easy way review of...
Curated OER
Simple Symbols
Have your class learn about Texas and the uses of a glyph. After listening to stories about Texas, they identify state symbols and engage in a glyph activity.
Curated OER
Rhode Island State Map
In this geography of Rhode Island activity, students color and label a map with the major cities and physical features. Students also study a U.S. map to learn the location of the state of Rhode Island.
US Mint
Coin Connections
Help young mathematicians make cents out of the US currency system with this two-part math lesson. Children first learn the names and values for each type of coin, before learning to count and compare the values of coins using the...
US Mint
Symbols in My Eyes
Explore the hidden meanings behind the images on US currency with this elementary school lesson on symbolism. Starting with a class discussion about symbols, children go on to brainstorm different objects that represent the Unites States...
DC Vote
One Kid, One Vote
Learn about why the citizens of Washington, D.C. feel unrepresented in Congress with an article about D.C voting rights. Individuals read about the movement toward congressional representation in Washington, D.C., before answering...
EduGAINs
Understanding Viscosity through Investigation and Comparison of Fluids
Not all liquids are the same. Investigate the viscosity of different fluids with a series of activities designed for eighth grade science. As learners move through learning centers with different experiment setups, they determine the...
Curated OER
What are the Qualifications to be President of the United States?
Students research the qualifications necessary to be the president of the United States. They create a want-ad for this position using what they have learned about the qualifications.
Digital Writing and Research Lab's – Lesson Plans
Teaching Close Reading through Short Composition/Revision
This activity may have writers evaluate short compositions, but their subjects are quite tall: great Americans. Pupils read one another's compositions and closely examine how specific phrases and diction contribute to shaping American...
Curated OER
Your State's Architectural Scrapbook
Students examine architectural designs and styles found in their state and/or community and create scrapbooks that identify those specific traits. This middle-level art lesson can be adapted to work in a social studies classroom.
Curated OER
Distinguished Discoveries: Florida quarter reverse
Florida's state quarter has an image of a space shuttle and a Spanish Galleon on its reverse side. Pupils will examine the state quarter and think about how the Spanish explorers and Space explorers are the same and different. The class...
Curated OER
Identifying Coins and Their Value
Use the special Tennessee State Quarter as a learning tool. During this lesson, discuss why the Tennessee Quarter has musical instruments on it. You can also utilize a worksheet embedded in the plan to help your class compose a song that...