Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Gives a Hoot?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students look at owl migration and its impact on the environment and the food chain after reading an article from The New York Times. Students then apply this information to and research different food chain situations for other species...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eyeing the Next Einstein

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students complete a KWL chart on Albert Einstein. After they read an article, they discover more about his iconic status and how future scientists view him. In groups, they create trading cards about Einstein and another scientist of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discoveries of Titanic Proportions

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze various statements on the moon. After reading an article, they discuss the findings about a new moon around Saturn. In groups, they re-create a press conference in which the new findings were released to the public. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

DNA-B-C's

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students review what they already know about DNA. After reading an article, they discover a new technique to map the course of evolution. In groups, they create ways to present this material to younger children and research DNA's uses.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Site to See

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars identify the risks and benefits of living next to a volcano. After reading an article, they discuss the behaviors of an active volcano. Using the Internet, they work together to research volcano-monitoring techniques and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gunshots by the Numbers

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students analyze the incidence of gun injuries among children and what can be done about it by reading and discussing the article "Keeping Guns Out of Children's Hands." They convert statistics about gun injuries into visual...
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
Learners 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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Breezy, Chilly, or Freezing?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners 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
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

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.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

Team Works

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

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
Curated OER

Celebrate Abe Lincoln: A Primary Timeline Activity

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners explore the qualities possessed by Abraham Lincoln. In this Abraham Lincoln lesson, students create a timeline of events that shows why Abraham Lincoln could overcome obstacles to be come President. Learners create a book and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Paper Bag Book Report

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

In Search of Truce

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the relationship between a country's political and social history and its position today. They study 8 African countries immersed in the present conflict in Congo. They present their findings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Muppets as Mediators

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore current social issues in the Middle East to create their own student television programs for Palestinian and Israeli Students.