Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Religion: Great Schism Debate

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the Great Schism in the Roman Catholic Church and research the positions of the three popes. The three groups research their popes' positions and then hold a debate. Students write position papers about the Great Schism.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

One Grain at a Time

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers investigate deserts. In this geography lesson, students create a KWL chart about deserts and research information on deserts by using reference books. Middle schoolers record the characteristics of deserts and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Influence of James Nachtwey on the Field of Photojournalism

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore the work of James Nachtwey. For this photojournalism lesson, students discover the elements of photojournalism as they examine photographs from James Nachtwey regarding Afghanistan, AIDS, Deeds of War, Romania, Bosnia,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mitten

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students read the book, The Mitten and make a list of animals that moved into the mitten. In this literature lesson, students discuss why we like to have nice, warm places to live, and what happens when there isn't enough space for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking at the Old South: Music and Culture

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers use different styles of music to research society, history and culture in the American South. They, in groups, research an assigned piece of music and make a presentation to the class. They keep a daily journal as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Building Blocks of the Nation

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students research, document, use the Internet, and employ varied computer skills, along with oral communication skills to discover people who have "made history" in Michigan, women in the United States, people who contributed to our...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Community Building during the Great Society

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Young scholars, by analyzing articles from the "Mobilization for Youth News Bulletin," identify the ways that students in the 1960s worked to improve their community.
Lesson Plan
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The United Nations and Women

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils analyze the role of the Commission on the Status of Women in the post-WW II era by looking at the general framework the Committee worked within. They propose their own solutions to the case studies.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Migration

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the uses of herbal plants. They read the book Pharmacy in the Forest and discuss the vocabulary words that pertain to the structure of a plant. Students create a summary of what they have read and watch a video on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Folklore in Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students read Zora Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God and explore her life history as well as novel analysis activities. In this novel analysis instructional activity, students identify elements in the novel and its overall literary...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

School Museum

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research individuals who contributed to the history of Illinois, and what school was like at that time. They compare schools of various times.
Lesson Plan
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The Odyssey

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Learners research and plan the routes and expenses associated in an "Odyssey" that they plan for themselves. They decide which countries they will visit and what they will see while they are there. They have a spending limit which they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Perceptions of the Wilderness

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine various American perspectives about the wilderness over time. In small groups they read and analyze writings by William Bradford and Frederick Law Olmsted, summarize the major points of each author, and write an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Challenges Faced by the New Nation's Presidents

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders, while in the computer lab utilizing the internet, locate primary sources to interpret and analyze the struggle of the new nation to gain the respect of European countries. They interact with a worksheet that organizes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Keeping Our Pets Safe in an Emergency

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students participate in a service learning project to benefit the members and animals in their community. In this animal welfare lesson, students review emergency preparedness. Students discuss animal safety in an emergency. Students...
Lesson Plan
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Radio Broadcasting Before Television

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students compare the radio to other forms of mass communication. In this Radio Broadcasting Before Television lesson, students learn the different types of radio shows in the 1920s and 30s. Students write and perform radio scripts...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

All About Computers

For Teachers K - 5th
Students discover facts about computers. In this technology lesson, students find out how to locate information on the Internet. Students choose a topic to research and search several sites for information.
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Flopsy, Mopsy, Eleanor, and Beatrix

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars read "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" and view the photos of the pets that inspired Beatrix Potter to write. They then select a different book to read from the University of Pennsylvania's website or from the public library that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rosa Parks Refused to Do What?

For Teachers 1st
First graders listen to two books about Rosa Parks. They contribute factual information for a web. They listen to an interview with Rosa Parks on the internet, adding more information to the web. They write and illustrate a book using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Yankee Doodle... More than Just a Catchy Tune

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students investigate the history of patriotic music and practice singing the tunes with classmates.  In this U.S. History lesson plan, students examine lyrics of the traditional song "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and discuss the differing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nature's Superheroes

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners compare their prior knowledge about the relationship between sunlight and cancer with new findings. They research how different vitamins and minerals affect the human body.
Lesson Plan
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Exploring Tessellations

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine how to make tessellations. For this tessellation lesson, 5th graders review the meaning of the word "polygon" while the teacher shows them various examples. They practice making tiling patterns or tessellation's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

First Grade Tour Guides

For Teachers 1st
First graders plan a tour to give their parents on a school parent night. In this school tour lesson plan, 1st graders gather information about their school, determine how to best present information, and prepare a tour and talk to give...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Set a Poem to Music

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students consider the role of rhythm and meter in poetry. In this integrated arts lesson, students discuss the attributes of poetry and use their music skills to set picture book poetry to music by creating "singable" poems.