Curated OER
Into the Fifties: Understanding the Context of Film Genres in the Fifties
Learners discuss prior knowledge of American culture during the 1950's. They complete KWL charts, participate in class discussions and view the documentary film Atomic Café. They record their observations from the film.
Curated OER
Explore Chapters 1 - 5
Students preview the novel, "Dragonwings," by Laurence Yep, make connections between the novel previewed and their prior knowledge, other texts, and the world. They utilize graphic representations including charts, graphs, pictures, and...
Curated OER
Melodies and Math: Creating Music with Non-Traditional Instruments
Review the 4/4 and 2/4 time signatures in music with a helpful music theory lesson plan. Young musicians experiment with electronic sounds and create their own musical performance using instruments made from materials found in the...
Curated OER
Sticky Note Reading Lesson
Fourth graders read about Indiana's history and use sticky notes to record important information. In this sticky notes instructional activity, 4th graders record cultural information about the people of Indiana.
Curated OER
Lesson 2 Its a Small World (Day 2)
Students are able to explain how the water cycle recycles the earth's water supply. They are able to make use of the knowledge of land forms learned in social studies. Students are able to form a hypothesis on how/why the water cycle...
John F. Kennedy Center
Acting Up, A Melodrama: Performing Like Jo March and Her Sisters in Little Women
Lights, Camera, Action! Pupils read Little Women and create, act, and direct a melodrama that Jo March and her sisters would enjoy. The lesson plan comes complete with resources for the educator on melodrama as well as examples...
Curated OER
Charlotte's Web Lesson
Third graders explore Charlotte's Web making predictions about the main character's problem. In this Charlotte's Web lesson, 3rd graders find Wilbur's problem and draw solutions from the story. Students share pictures and visit a...
Curated OER
Introductory Lesson on How pH Levels are Determined
Young scholars explore pH levels of different substances. In this instructional activity about pH, students work together in three to four groups to test substances. moving between three different stations performing tests on the...
Curated OER
Compass Rose for the New Millennium
Sixth graders are introduced to the concepts of a compass rose and how it used in relationship to reading maps in geography. The activity is meant to build upon prior knowledge and skills.
Curated OER
Editorial Writing
Use your class's knowledge of pollution and water treatment to write an editorial to town citizens. They apply prior knowledge in order to compose a letter intended for newspaper publication, focusing on writing to an appropriate audience.
Curated OER
Hershey Chocolate Fractions
In order for students to acquire knowledge about math concepts, and in particular fractions, they need concrete ways to practice an abstract concept.¿¿¿ Using Hershey bars builds on prior knowledge as most students have probably...
Curated OER
Espionage and Sedition Acts: Mock Trial
Bring to life the severity of the Espionage and Sedition Acts through a mock trial. Learners have prior knowledge of WWI and the context of these acts. An anticipatory set gets the class discussing the ethics of wartime dissension, and...
Curated OER
"If you build it..."
Young scholars utilize prior knowledge to erect and assemble a building from a drawing using spaghetti noodles and marshmallows. In this building instructional activity, students visualize a three dimensional structure from looking at a...
Curated OER
A Brief History of Fairfax County
Students brainstorm a list of things they already know about the history of Fairfax County, Virginia. After reading a primary source document, they discuss the similarities and differences between their prior knowledge and what they...
Curated OER
Visible Speech: What is a Sentence?
Use this straightforward presentation as a basic guide to your grammar unit. With explanations of the parts of a simple sentence (subject, verb, direct object), the slideshow is a good way to reinforce students' prior knowledge about...
Curated OER
The Ozone
Students engage in lesson concerned with the concept of the ozone layer. They write a reflective journal using prior knowledge. Students read sources of information about the existence of a hole in the ozone layer. Finally they create...
Curated OER
Romeo and Juliet Debate
Who is responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet? After generating a list of the six characters most responsible, class members prepare for and engage in a formal debate. Prior knowledge of basic rules for debate would be necessary.
Illustrative Mathematics
Robot Races
Analyze data on a graph to answer three questions after a robot race. Learners practice comparing ratios and reading points on a graph. Answers may vary on the last question based on accuracy of graphing. Use the instructional...
Illustrative Mathematics
Adding Tenths and Hundredths
Learning to add fractions with different denominators presents a big hurdle for many young mathematicians. Simplify the process for learners with this series of practice problems involving the friendly fractions tenths and hundredths....
Curated OER
Let's Eat
Students read "Staying Healthy: Eating Right" by Alice B. McGinty and discuss prior knowledge of food groups and nutrition. They sort foods into food groups and play a board game about types of foods.
Curated OER
Spanish Sentence Structure
Instruct your class on how to put together a sentence in Spanish. The resource covers the different parts of speech, showing how the Spanish version of each sentence compares with the English version. While there are no procedures...
DePaul University
The Working Tools of Insects
The animal kingdom is full of interesting organisms that have unique ways of surviving. Children read about different insects that have special tools for building homes and protecting themselves. When finished, learners identify the main...
Curated OER
Math Puzzle Picture
The key to solving this puzzle lies in the addition skills of young learners. The first step is to answer a series of decimal addition problems organized in a 4x5 grid. Then cut apart the page of puzzle pieces, each one including an...
DePaul University
Egypt
The country of Egypt is more than just big pyramids and ancient pharaohs. After reading a brief overview of this African nation, young learners will demonstrate their understanding of the text by identifying the main idea and supporting...