Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tunes for Bears to Dance to: Questioning Strategy, Discussion Web

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Readers of Robert Cormier's Tunes for Bears to Dance to are asked to consider the morality of the central character's actions
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Forming a Research-Based Claim: Comparing Cascading Consequences

For Teachers 7th Standards
It's time to weigh the risks and benefits of screen time! Pupils work in triads to identify the strongest positive and negative consequences from their Cascading Consequences chart. Next, using the chart and their researcher's notebooks,...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Choosing a Position: Screen Time and Adolescents

For Teachers 7th Standards
Time to pick a side! Building on the Fishbowl activity from the previous instructional activity, scholars choose a position about whether the American Academy of Pediatrics should raise its screen time recommendations. Using notes,...
PPT
Livaudais-Baker English Classroom

Literary Theories

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Introduce ELA scholars to the basics of literary criticism with a 41-slide presentation that identifies eight different approaches to critical analysis. Each approach is defined, and advantages and disadvantages are listed. Also included...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's My Point?

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders move through the process of defining persuasion, identifying persuasive arguments and techniques in writing and evaluating their own use of accurate details. Students also define an author's point of view.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Crucible: Hysteria, Witches and Death

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the historical events of the Salem witch trials. After completing research and reading a play on the witch trials, 11th graders compare and contrast the historical facts to the fictional play. In groups, students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heritage: Seeking Land or Gold

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers write a persuasive letter home defending their decision either to settle in Utah and farm the land, or to go on to California to seek gold. They analyze a problem, make a decision, and write a letter defending their choice.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Those Before Us

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine medical pioneers and identify their characteristics. They survey their contributions to the medical field and society and present persuasive argument for or against modern medical pioneers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Indian Removal Act

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils use the Internet to research the Indian Removal Act and write a journalistic article showcasing their findings. They choose from a variety of viewpoints and topics to narrow their focus.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heroes

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders participate in research and class discussion before attempting to write a traditional five paragraph essay. They use the examples of 16 other hero stories to consider. Students use examples and descriptive details to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TV Talks, We Listen?

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Young scholars recognize and analyze the link between advertisements and commercial programs as well as their influence on the audience. In this television and advertisement analysis instructional activity, students watch television to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Effects of Lung Disease

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students illustrate the chronic lung conditions associated with smoking and write a persuasive argument against smoking. In this lung disease lesson, students use straws and balloons to illustrate the problems created by smoking. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

H.D. Thoreau's Philosophy of Government

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students read an essay by H.D. Thoreau as analysis of his philosophy on government. In this Thoreau analysis lesson, students work in groups to paraphrase two of Thoreau's criteria for his beliefs about government. Students write a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

George Orwell's Essay on his Life in Burma: "Shooting an Elephant"

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students read George Orwell's essay "Shooting an Elephant" as an analysis for the historical context. In this historical analysis lesson, students analyze the main points in the essay to identify its cultural and historical context....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Solving Science Mysteries

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students choose a science-related mystery to investigate such as the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot. They, in groups, research theories and give a persuasive talk presenting the theory they feel to be most likely.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ballot Box Battle

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils practice note taking skills, study the life of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and write a persuasive letter. They listen to the picture book biography of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and use the information from the biography to write a letter...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Susan B. Anthony and the 19th Amendment

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students take a closer look at the Women's Suffrage Movement in America. In this women's rights lesson, students research suffrage leaders and write papers about them. Students then read and discuss information about Susan B....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Smoke and Mirrors

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students develop a persuasive peer-to-peer case against smoking. They read two scenarios, perform a skit, and prepare a factual presentation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Debatable!

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the basic elements and vocabulary of debating. They research an issue and write a letter to the editor of the local newspaper, and role-play a Parliamentary debate on a particular bill.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Levittown, White Picket Paradise?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners study the origins and happenings of Levittown, Pennsylvania. In this Pennsylvania history lesson plan, students use primary and secondary sources to research the beginnings of Levittown, PA. As a culminating activity, learners...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the American immigration experience. In this immigration lesson, 8th graders watch a video about Ellis Island and discuss the processing that took place there. Students write letters in the voice of American...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stocking Up For The Next Millennium

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Look back on the inventions, concepts, cultural items, and literary contributions of the past one hundred years. Young historians will compose a presentation based on the research they do in favor of one thing that should withstand the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Seeing Believing...Or Decieving

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders investigate media protrayal of railroad trespassing incidents. They write a legal action letter against one of the media companies.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pros and Cons of Hydroelectric Power

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers develop arguments for and against the construction of hydroelectric power plants. Poll the groups to determine which view dominates in the class and students write a summary of their conclusions.