Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science on the Skids

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss the decline in the sciences in America by comparing statistics and information from the U.s. to other countries. Then they write and deliver a "State of the Sciences" address to their peers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Historic Gamble

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore and evaluate the economic impact of legalized gambling on Native American Indian communities. They draft short, persuasive speeches that take the perspective of a tribal elder appearing at a town council meeting.
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Heightening Awareness

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students review their prior knowledge about Haiti. They examine violence in Haiti by reading and discussing "HAITIAN FORCES BATTLING UPRISING REPORT RETAKING 3 TOWNS." In groups, students research specific time periods of Haitian history...
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Breezy, Chilly, or Freezing?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students assess the factors which influence the sensation of being "cold" in a particular situation. They study the complexities in measuring temperature by reading and discussing the article "Beyond Brrr: The Elusive Science of...
Lesson Plan
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Navigating the Straits

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners research the players and events that have influenced U.S.-China relations since World War II, with specific emphasis on the two countries' relationships with Taiwan. They write a briefing paper, advising the president on the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plasma 101

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the definitions and characteristics of plasma. After reading an article, they analyze new technologies to study plasma. In groups, they create a poster on how the different types of plasma work and write letters to their...
Lesson Plan
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Tangled Text

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students list different forms of communication, assess importance of writing, read and discuss article "String, and Knot, Theory of Inca Writing", research system of writing, and create "How It Works" posters.
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Changing of the Guard

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students reflect on their knowledge of democracy. After reading an article, they examine current plans for the placement of a democracy in Iraq. In groups, they research past regime changes and democratization attempts and discuss the...
Lesson Plan
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Everyday Objects

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students reflect in their journals about an everyday object they take for granted. After reading an article, they examine what a cook's tools can reveal about their life. In groups, they research everyday objects and write a museum...
Lesson Plan
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Global Intelligence

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students discuss the war in Afghanistan and the conditions surrounding the hunt for Osama bin Laden after reading the article "Bin Laden and Omar: Far Harder to Find" from The New York Times. After the class discussion, students...
Lesson Plan
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Food's Altered Ego

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students write in their journals where they believe food comes from. After reading an article, they examine the proceses of cultivation and sale of genetically modified foods. Using the internet, they research specific countries and...
Lesson Plan
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Team Works

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students define "group" and list American social and political movements throughout history. They examine one model of a successful team and positive group mentality by reading and identify the traits of a successful group and those of...
Lesson Plan
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School Sleuths Treasure Map

For Teachers K - 5th
Students are explained how a grid and compass work. They are also explained that archaeologists use grids as a record of the exact location of artifacts. Students define the term datum as a point of reference on grids from which all...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Secretary of Commerce

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers gain understanding of economic history of United States in twentieth century by examining role of Department of Commerce. Student groups each analyze one quarter of twentieth century by researching role of Department of...
Lesson Plan
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Does Free Speech Exist in School?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine their own First Amendment rights as students. They read and discuss a news article, discuss the Supreme Court case Frederick v. Morse, take an online quiz and conduct Internet research, and create a brochure outlining...
Lesson Plan
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Celebrate Abe Lincoln: A Primary Timeline Activity

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the qualities possessed by Abraham Lincoln. In this Abraham Lincoln instructional activity, students create a timeline of events that shows why Abraham Lincoln could overcome obstacles to be come President. Students...
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Paper Bag Book Report

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students read books and write a unique kind of book report. In this literature lesson, students use paper bags to construct projects about the books they read. Students present their projects to the class.
Lesson Plan
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Atmospheric Pressures

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars research past, present and proposed climate change policies. They develop timelines based on different predictions of climate change effects and assess the likelihood of each timeline playing out in reality.
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Practice What You Preach

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the meaning of religious tolerance, first by analyzing quotations about the acceptance of different beliefs and then by researching the history of tolerance within various religions as related to the quotations.
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Hungry for History

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine what their diets would be like without the inclusion of staple crops such as corn, wheat and sugar, and discover the value that chocolate had for the Mayan people. They create display boards for a food festival.
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Land Marked

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore proposed plans for land redistribution in Zimbabwe. They research the history of European colonization in Zimbabwe, focusing on the roles and views of various groups within the country. Based on these perspectives, s
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Power to the People

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the pros and cons of government structures, then decide whether or not African countries accept the new African Union based on a variety of categories.
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The Killing Fields

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore ethnic divisions in the West African nation of Ivory Coast and research instances of ethnic cleansing in nations throughout history. They create global history textbook entries that explore, compare and contrast...
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Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make Me a Map!

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students evaluate the different types of historical and geographical information that one can gather through close study of historical maps from the 16th through the 19th centuries. They create their own maps.