Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
That’s Amazing!: English Language Development Lessons (Theme 3)
That's Amazing! is the theme of an English language development unit created by Houghton Mifflin. Following a speak, look, move, and listen routine, scholars delve into topics; seasons, weather, animals, landforms, telling time,...
Curated OER
US Geography: The Midwest
Students investigate the geography and agricultural products of the Midwestern United States. In this US geography lesson, students watch and discuss a video that depicts the Midwest of the US as the breadbasket of the country. They make...
Curated OER
U.S. Geography: The Midwest
Students research agricultural products of the Midwest. In this Midwest lesson, students watch a video about the geography of the Midwest, discuss how topographical features were formed and review the agricultural products the Midwest...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
What Brought Settlers to the Midwest?
Drawn by promises of fertile land, thousands of settlers poured West because of the Homestead Act of 1862. By examining images of the ads that drew them westward, learners consider the motivations for movement. They also consider how the...
Scholastic
Perfect Postcards: Illinois
Connect the geography and history of Illinois using an art-centered activity on the railroads. The railroad connected once-distant places, particularly in the Midwest. Using research, class members create postcards of fictional...
Curated OER
States and Capitals, Mountains and Rivers
Students identify geographical locations in the midwestern United States. In this geography instructional activity, students identify 12 states and capitals and geographical features in the region by using U.S. maps. Students use blank...
Curated OER
Where is Coal Located in The United States?
A brief overview of the location of coal reserves in the United States can be helpful in a unit about fossil fuels. You can assign students each a different coal-containing state and have them research the local impact of mining the...
Curated OER
Travelogs
Pupils make travelog journals to send to acquaintances in other states in order to receive mail in return. They make scrapbooks with the return mail they receive.
Curated OER
The Myth and the Reality: Pioneering in the Midwest
Students examine the myth and reality of settlement in the Upper Midwest during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Johnson County Community College
Treasured Stories by Eric Carle
Explore the works of Eric Carle with a set of four lessons focused around the stories, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, Papa, Please Get the Moon For Me, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Young readers develop a storyboard,...
Curated OER
Government Lesson Plan - Number 14
Students analyze data on air pollution in Maryland. They evaluate the effectiveness of government actions to improve air quality. Each group recommends actions that would improve air quality on the federal, state and local level.
Curated OER
How the West Was One: A Layered Book
Students create a layered book about the information they learn about the Western region of the United States. In this Western states lesson plan, students create a book about the land, economy, and culture.
Curated OER
Three Dimensional Geology
Here is a fine lesson plan on geology designed for high schoolers. Learners use rocks, fossils, and other geological clues to determine the geology of an area. Then, they make recommendations to a fictitious city council about the...
Curated OER
Mussel Anatomy Lesson Plan
Learners identify the parts and functions of a mussel. They explain how its physical adaptations help it survive in its habitat. They label the parts as a quiz to complete the lesson.
Curated OER
Touring the Regions of the United States
Fifth graders explore the regions of the United States. In this geography skills lesson, 5th graders examine the landforms, climates, and economies of the regions of the United States. Students conduct Internet research in order to...
Curated OER
Touring the Regions of the United States
Fifth graders explore the regions of the United States. They use maps, research on the Internet and use measurements and estimations. Students create a presentation using spreadsheets and publishing software.
Curated OER
USA Today Lesson: "Meth" Moves East
Students explore methamphetamine use. In this health journalism instructional activity, students read the USA Today article titled "Meth Moves East", respond to discussion questions regarding the article, and complete an activity based...
Curated OER
Map Memory
Fifth graders, working in a whole class setting, label a United States map with the names of all the states that they know. They transfer the names of the states to an individual map and color it. Next, they receive directions on how to...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Regions of the United States
Third graders create Powerpoint presentations of various geographic regions of the United States. They focus on the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest regions. Students combine their individual slides into a class presentation.
Curated OER
Geography of the United States
Students examine the population growth of the United States. In this Geography lesson, students construct a map of the fifty states. Students create a graph of the population of the USA.
Curated OER
Apples! Apples! Apples!
Students explore the life of Johnny Appleseed as they create a MediaBlender project of Johnny's journey through the Midwest territory, and compare and contrast items he brought on his journey with items students would bring with them on...
Curated OER
Introduce Michigan
Fourth graders explore Michigan. In this geography skills lesson, 4th graders read textbook pages about the state and then participate in a classroom activity that requires them to be part of an assembly line.
Curated OER
Literature Response Lesson Plans
Literature responses are a meaningful way to strengthen student comprehension.
School Improvement in Maryland
Pollution Data
Smog? Vog? What is being done about air pollution? Government classes investigate federal and state programs designed to improve air quality, and then develop a proposal for further actions that are needed.