Curated OER
Libraries Are the Place to Be
Celebrate National Library Week by discovering all that your local library and the Library of Congress have to offer.
Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson's Library: Making the Case for a National Library
Students examine the need for a national library. For this Library of Congress lesson, students analyze primary sources to investigate the persuasive techniques that Thomas Jefferson used in a letter meant to show his...
Curated OER
Deck the Halls with Literature Trees
Reinforce and assess reading comprehension by having your class make a literature tree! After reading a book, pupils make decorations to represent the book's themes, characters, and setting. Materials for decorating can be as diverse and...
Curated OER
The Founders’ Library: Thinking as a Founding Father
Students analyze the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. In this U.S. government instructional activity, students examine books, movies, and music that influence them today and then investigate writings that influenced the framers...
Curated OER
Researching Using Books
Young scholars investigate researching techniques by exploring their library. In this literature references activity, students identify the different types and genres of books that are readily available at their local library as well as...
Random House
Mapping Skills
Spark interest and enhance your pupils' map skills using Matteo Pericoli's book, See the City: the Journey of Manhattan Unfurled. Through Pericoli's illustrations and text, learners explore the East and West...
Concordia University
Primary and Secondary Sources
Show your class the difference between primary sources and secondary sources. The first page provides a list of examples of each type of source. While they research, pupils can refer back to the list quickly to make sure they are reading...
Curated OER
One Grain at a Time
Students investigate deserts. In this geography lesson, students create a KWL chart about deserts and research information on deserts by using reference books. Students record the characteristics of deserts and the wildlife which lives...
Curated OER
Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah Nights
Learners read Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah Nights by Leslie Himmelman. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study of Hanukkah. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and library...
Curated OER
Famous Britons-- When Were They Born?
In this social studies worksheet, learners examine the 8 names of famous people from Great Britain. Using Internet research or reference books, students list the famous Britons in the order in which they were born, starting with the...
Curated OER
What They Left Behind: Early Multi-National Influences in the United States
Students research the impact of European voyages of discovery and colonial influence on different aspects of American culture. They access a number of online sources and reference maps to trace the influences of England, France, Holland,...
Curated OER
Briefing Book
Learners prepare a briefing book highlighting important twentieth century events in Europe. The book lists and explains the major events of the twentieth century that caused separation and unification in Europe.
Curated OER
Guideline for Book Reports -- Southern Literature and the Old South Myth
Students are introduced to the guidelines for giving their book report on Southern Literature. With a partner, they work together to develop a catchy phrase to grab the reader's attention. They must also include whether the book is...
Curated OER
Illinois Challenge
In this Illinois worksheet, students complete a set of 10 multiple choice questions about Illinois. A reference web site is given for additional activities.
Curated OER
A Day In The Life Of An Egyptian
Students divide into research groups, and are each assigned a research topic. They access an award-winning Ancient Egypt site, which is an interactive book about the history and culture of the Ancient Egyptian civilization.
Curated OER
Read to Feed
Students participate in the Read-to-Feed project. In this fundraising lesson, students read books to purchase a farm animal for a family in need. Students write a letter to the family that will be receiving the farm animal.
Curated OER
Rainforests: What Are They?
Second graders investigate rain forests by reading a habitat checklist. In this environment lesson, 2nd graders read the book The Great Kapok Tree, and discuss what characteristics make up a rain forest. Students explore a...
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
Selecting a State Fish
Students work in groups to select a state fish for their state. They review reference materials to make a list of state characteristics and select a fish that best exemplifies the state.
Curated OER
Where Do You Live?
Second graders study and compare rural, suburban, and urban communities. They play a board game, read books about communities, and complete several other activities regarding the different types of communities. Several extension and...
Curated OER
Celebrating Diversity
Students gain a better understanding about cultures. They find similarities and differences between cultures. Various resources ranging from web sites to trade books to email addresses of people are provided. This instructional activity...
Museum of Tolerance
Immigration Journeys
Through the journey of four stories of immigration, scholars complete graphic organizers and apply knowledge to create a visual representation of their findings on a large poster. Third and fourth readers write a letter to their...
Curated OER
What's The Story?
Teams of learners integrate reading, writing, math, social studies, and science in this simple, yet effective lesson. They work in groups in order to solve a ten-step problem which requires internet research, the use of a calculator, and...
Core Knowledge Foundation
Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue
Young adventurers embark on a journey, setting sail along the blue ocean with Christopher Columbus. Teachers will find that this unit makes their lesson planning smooth sailing!