Curated OER
Constructing Narrative from the Migrant Experience in Literature
Excerpts from John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath and from John Fante's Ask the Dust, as well as a variety of primary source documents provide the background for an examination of the migrant experience from 1920-1945.
New York Historical Society
The Vietnam War: 1945-1975
Do pupils know that the Vietnam War spanned a period of 30 years? A war that long is bound to leave devastating effects. Help young historians develop a comprehensive understanding of the war through multiple units on the subject that...
Free Library of Philadelphia
Resources for Ghost Boys
Jewell Parker Rhodes, the author of Ghost Boys, wanted to bring the historical legacy of Emmett Till and the current topic of racial prejudice into today's young readers' mindsets. Use a reading guide and set of discussion questions to...
PBS
Who Knows Best
Finding an expert in a given field when conducting research can be a challenge. This guide provides step-by-step directions as well as links to resources that help young sleuths find the authorities and experts they need. As a bonus, two...
Cornell University
Scaling Down: Effects of Size on Behavior
Two activities explore the concept of size, especially small sizes down to the nano. Scholars practice determining volume, mass, and density and calculate exponential increases and decreases. They then predict and test the effect of size...
Prestwick House
Reading Challenge
One of the big challenges of assigning independent reading is helping class members find a book to read. Another is encouraging readers to read a variety of genres. Never fear, help is here in the form of a quest that asks individuals to...
Kenan Fellows
Unit 1: Introduction to Biotechnology
Biotechnology is big! Introduce the uses of biotechnology to science scholars with a fascinating, fact-filled unit. The first installment in a series of four biotechnology units covers the role biotechnology plays in human and...
Curated OER
The Conditions of Today
Students demonstrate their ability to use the library to research into current working conditions for the American worker. They identify connections and compare findings about contemporary conditions and the in-class readings of The...
Curated OER
Forestry
Young scholars conduct a soil organism experiment. In this soil organism lesson, students work with a partner to test soil samples and collect data. They grow cultures from the soil samples in order to make comparisons from different...
Curated OER
Experimenting with Sound
Learners explore physical science by completing a worksheet. In this sound perception lesson, students collaborate in small groups to research sound properties on the Internet and in libraries. Learners conduct a listening experiment by...
Curated OER
Pic-A-Fic: Choosing Fiction for Every Taste
Sixth graders examine and categorize a selection of title representing fiction genres. In this fiction genres instructional activity, 6th graders analyze and identify a variety of titles in the fiction genre. Students then find these...
Curated OER
Famous Afro-Americans Historical Sites Recognized by the National Park System
Students use the library to find historical information about each Afro-American. They use magazines, articles from newspapers, and oral histories from video tapes and slide presentations to write biographical sketches about each...
Curated OER
Hero Holiday and Portfolio Completed
Middle schoolers summarize the unit on heroes and present picture books to younger students. In this hero instructional activity, middle schoolers compile their portfolios, in which they have presented heroic characteristics of...
Curated OER
A Grand Showing
Students promote philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students create video documentaries based on service learning projects they completed and then share the video with their peers and community.
Curated OER
Exploring Community Through Local History: Oral Stories, Landmarks and Traditions
High schoolers explore the history of their local community. In this local history lesson, students analyze primary documents to develop an understanding of the local culture and traditions of their local community.
National First Ladies' Library
The Education of Freedmen...and Women and Children
Pupils examine political debate surrounding Freedmen's Bureau, use primary sources to explore trials and successes of effort to educate newly-freed slaves of all ages, research reasons for creation of Freedmen's Bureau, discuss President...
Curated OER
Composer/Musician Study
Learners research a musician or composer of their choice and present their research through a written paper and free choice activity. This lesson can be done over the course of five to six classes with some homework. The paper...
Curated OER
Canada Geography PowerPoint
Students create a PowerPoint about Canadian geography or history. In this Canada lesson, students spend two days researching their Canadian topic in the library and online. They create a PowerPoint presentation and add pictures taken...
Curated OER
Shells Around the World
Learners research a geographical region that contains shells. In this shells from around the world lesson plan, students take a field trip to a local shell shop (if possible) and then work in groups to research a geographical...
Curated OER
Cargoes from Three Continents Ancient Mediterranean Trade
Sixth graders begin the lesson by researching the different types of ships and shipbuilding techniques used to help trade in the Mediterranean Sea. Using different objects, they determine what one can tell about a society and discuss...
Curated OER
Sustainable Development
Twelfth graders explore the difference between natural and man-made environments. In this renewable resources lesson students evaluate the economic importance of resources.
Curated OER
Role Models- Grade 9
Ninth graders research Aboriginal role models. In this native studies lesson, 9th graders select leaders of the First Nations and Metis Nations of the Saskatchewan and research their contributions to society. Students create...
Curated OER
Finding Your Spot in the World
Students practice locating places on a Thomas Brothers map. In this map skills lesson, students locate places on the map of where their ancestors are from and then practice finding various community places on a map. Students graph the...
Curated OER
Hickory Dickory Dock
Students use the Hickory Dickory Dock nursery rhyme to learn about rhyme, telling time, and preposition use. In this nursery rhyme instructional activity, students read the nursery rhyme daily and complete a Mother Goose quiz. Students...