Curated OER
When a Country Loses Its Songs
Learners explore music as a cultural tradition. In this global studies instructional activity, students consider the implications of the loss of childhood songs to a cultural group. Learners determine the type of musical "treasures" that...
Indiana University
British Literature Restoration Unit: The Pillow Book – Sei Shonagon
First drafted in the year 996, The Pillow Book contains reflections of those met by a lady-in-waiting in the Japanese court. A brief summary, historical context, and discussion questions are provided on the first two pages. Then, two...
Curated OER
Author Activities
In this author activity worksheet, students read a variety of books and discuss ideas that go along with the themes of the books. Students read Ruby Rogers books, Stink books, and also Troll Trouble books. After reading the books the...
Curated OER
Francis Scott Key
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students enjoy a biography of Francis Scott Key, the author of the National Anthem. The students then answer 20 questions, some of which call on them to recall the words to the song.
Curated OER
Sense of Place: No River Too Wide-Bridges
Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River. In this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River. Students document their...
Curated OER
Left-Handers Are All Right
Students examine how left-handed people function in a right-handed world using a web resource. They interview left-handed people to further understand the issue. They share the results of the interview with the whole class.
Curated OER
Using Primary Sources in the Classroom
Students draw their own conclusions by studying documents created in the past.
Curated OER
Looking at Portraits: Reading Poe
Learners compare the daguerreotype of Edgar Allan Poe by an unknown photographer with Poe's writings in an effort to discover the character of this mysterious author.
Curated OER
Author Study
Students focus their attention on the study of one author's works - not just one book, but a variety of works written by the same author - to discover what themes and/or other commonalities might run throughout the body of one person's...
Curated OER
Autobiography: Maya Angelou
Learners study the concepts of autobiography, biography, and fiction as literary genres. They read, study, and analyze Maya Angelou's autobiographical writings in terms of what she intended to accomplish by her writings. They develop and...
Curated OER
Naughty or Nice?
Students practice computer skills by generating Christmas lists and communicating with Santa using the Internet.
Curated OER
Authors of the Past and Present
Students research a chosen author. In this authors lesson, students pick one author from the list provided, do research, and write a paper.
Curated OER
Diversity - Grade 8
Eighth graders consider the diversity of the First Nations cultures in Canada. In this cultural diversity lesson plan, 8th graders research the cultural groups of the First Nations as well as their contributions to Canadian society....
Curated OER
Dinosaurs - Online Research
Second graders familiarize themselves with dinosaurs through online research.
Curated OER
John Paul Jones: Captain of the High Seas
Students explore John Paul Jones. His sense of adventure brought him to America. His bravery made him the country's greatest naval hero.
Curated OER
Shifting Gears
In this activity, students will write a personal narrative that is designed to help them reflect on the nature and meaning of change in their lives.
Curated OER
Invent a Holiday
Students compare their own special holidays and traditions and then use their imaginations to create their own holiday.
Curated OER
Understanding Primary Sources
Young scholars draw conclusions from primary sources and share information and interpretations with a small group. They are introduced to the Jigsaw technique. Students discuss why a grocery receipt would be a primary source. They...
Curated OER
Yours and My Trail of Tears
Students investigate the Trail of Tears. In this United States history lesson plan, students identify the reason for removing the Cherokee Nation and role play a modern day situation similar to the Indian Removal Act. Students reflect...
Curated OER
Connecting Rembrandt and J.R. Tolkien
Students trace continuous thread of art from the 17th to the 20th century. They compare and contrast the painter Rembrandt with the writer Tolkien. They prepare and deliver an individual presentation.
Curated OER
Writing in Math Class
Students brainstorm and discuss ways math is all around them, explain in writing how they solve math problems, describe mathematical ideas in writing, and create original story problems.
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Romare Bearden
Students examine and discuss a collage by the artist Romare Bearden. They analyze the impact of jazz on art, listen to jazz, and create an original collage.
Curated OER
Courtship and Calligraphy in The Tale of Genji
Students discover through an examination of The Tale of Genji the importance of calligraphy to courtship rituals in the Japanese court culture of the late Heian period ( 897-1185). Three possible enrichment activities are included
Curated OER
A Parade Of Penguins
Second graders complete a variety of penguin-related activities. They discuss and compare different types of penguins, complete worksheets and Venn diagrams, make craft penguins and dioramas.