Curated OER
Two Truths and a Lie: Internet Research Skills
It's tough for high schoolers to assess what is a credible resource and what is not. A helpful resource prompts class members to research a particular topic and record two facts—and create one lie—while documenting the sources. They...
Vanderbilt University
Dia de Los Muertos
To honor El Dia de los Muertos, scholars work together to create Day of the Dead displays—paper sugar skulls and banners—that bring a festive and memorable flare to the classroom.
Cornell University
Nano Interactions
Tiny particles can provide big learning opportunities! Middle school scientists explore the world of nanoparticles through reading, discussion, and experiment. Collaborative groups first apply nanotechnology to determine water...
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.
J. Paul Getty Trust
Picturing a Story: Photo Essay about a Community, Event or Issue
Picture this. Class members follow in the footsteps of W. Eugene Smith, Dorothea Lange, James Nachtwey, and Lewis Hine by creating their own photo essay about a local event or issue.
PBS
Using Primary Sources: Wide Open Town
A picture speaks a thousand words, no matter how old! Scholars use political cartoons from the era of Prohibition and the Temperance Movement to analyze what, a primary document (in this case, a bootlegger's notebook) is telling them...
Cornell University
Exploring Rocks and Minerals
Investigate the properties of rocks and minerals through a rockin' hands-on activity. Learners test rocks for various properties and, using a guide, attempt to identify different samples. They use various properties including hardness,...
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...
Curated OER
Historical Figures
Second graders identify a historical figure, his or her societal contributions and basic biography using a Kidspiration graphic organizer and library resources. They use the Internet to conduct an historical treasure hunt in groups.
Curated OER
Making Poetry
A hearing impaired student identifies rhyming words. In this rhyming word lesson plan for the hearing impaired, 2nd graders read and write poetry correctly using rhyming words.
Curated OER
Getting Graphs: Researching Genealogy-A Piece of Pie
Third graders research their genealogy. In this math lesson, 3rd graders collect data and create graphs and charts. A presentation of their findings is given.
Curated OER
Primary Grade Historians
Learners read and analyze books about elders and develop a set of interview questions. They define respect and ways to show respect to elders and conduct an interview with elders. Finally, students write an oral history of a senior...
Curated OER
Integrated Social Studies Lesson and Science Lesson
Fourth graders discuss the Civil War and the fact that many soldiers died during the war as a result of sickness. They discuss germs and participate in an activity that shows them how germs are spread and how they can be stopped from...
Curated OER
"Trails, Rails, and Roads" Lesson 2: Road Tripping
Students practice map skills and take a virtual road trip through Maine examining the history of transportation. They create questions from the information they learned and play a game against other groups.
Curated OER
Lesson 1: Powerless?
Students formulate interview questions based on the information they learn from the video Power Lines. They conduct an interview with a relative, friend, or community member over 60 years old.
Curated OER
Lesson 1: Design a Transportation Stamp
Students, in groups, research a certain form of transportation that has affected Maine's economic and cultural development. They write a persuasive letter that uses the research to support an argument.
Curated OER
History & Civics Lesson for Grades 5-7
Students become aware of the culture, lifestyles and attitudes of Native American kids living on the Crow, Navajo and Nez Perce; reservations.
Curated OER
Class Forums: An English Language Arts Lesson for Information Resources
Tenth graders listen to a controversial piece of writing. They with opposing viewpoints face one another. After ground rules are suggested and adopted by the group, 10th graders articulate their positions in successive turns.
Curated OER
Surviving the Depression- 1930-1939 Lesson 1: Life During the Depression- Picture
Students examine and analyze primary source documents and pictures from the Great Depression Era. They consider ways in which the suffering of the Era could have been alleviated.
Curated OER
Philanthropy in Michigan? Civil War Lesson 1: What is Philanthropy?
Students determine the meaning of philanthropy and find examples of it in Mary Francis Shura's, Gentle Annie: The True Story of a Civil War Nurse. They discuss act of philanthropy that they have personally witnessed.
Curated OER
China: Dim Sum: Sand Painting: Mandalas Lesson
Students discover the art form of mandalas and create their own sand paintings. In the process, students explore the history of this art form in Tibetan culture.
Curated OER
Philanthropy, You, And Your World Lesson 1: Characterizing Philanthropic People
Learners determine the meaning of philanthropy and list attributes of philanthropic people. They examine philanthropic acts of themselves and others using a song and Post-It note activity.
Curated OER
Give It Back From a Snack Lesson 2: Invest With the Best
Students survey schoolmate as to what type of snacks they would prefer to purchase. They graph the results and apply them to planning a classroom snack sale while examining what wants, needs, and consumers are.
Curated OER
Lessons From the Lorax
Students read and discuss Dr. Seuss's The Lorax. They explore the changes the characters could have made to preserve the environment and relate the plot to real-world places and events.