National First Ladies' Library
Political Party History
Young scholars research and examine the role of political parties in the history of the twentieth century of the Unites States. They divide up into groups of four to analyze the twenty-six presidential campaigns and the candidates who...
Curated OER
The President and the Press ~ FDR's First Press Conference: March 1933
Students consider that many presidential aides now speak "off the record," in essence conveying a message from the president. They examine why most Presidents have fewer press conferences the deeper they get into their terms of office.
Curated OER
An Oral Course for Students of Spanish
Students practice new Spanish vocabulary and participating in a dialogue with another student. In groups, they use the internet to pretend to buy an airplane ticket and make hotel reservations on a trip to a Spanish-speaking country. ...
Curated OER
Light And Sound To the Rescue
Fourth graders use the design process to construct devices that send distress signals through air and water for purposes of rescue. They construct devices that use light and sound to assist in nautical rescues and use the knowledge...
National First Ladies' Library
The Debate on Slavery
Young historians research the debate over slavery; some students take the pro-slavery side and others the anti-slavery side. They take the role of a character such as a plantation owner, a legislator, a free Black, a slave, or a northern...
Curated OER
The Civil War—Why Hoosier Soldiers Fought
Eighth graders determine why Hoosier soldiers were willing to fight in the American Civil War. In this Civil War lesson plan, 8th graders listen to a lecture about the involvement of Indiana soldiers in the war and then conduct research...
EngageNY
Performance Task Preparation: Peer Critique and Mini-Lesson Addressing Common Errors: Revising Draft Essay to Inform
Time to revise! Using a writing evaluation rubric, scholars participate in a peer editing process to provide feedback on each others' informative essays. Next, pupils begin revising their drafts based on the feedback they receive.
EngageNY
Getting the Gist and Paraphrasing: “Rachel Carson: Environmentalist and Writer”
Don't copy me. Scholars prepare to dig in with an introduction to their research folder and a discussion about plagiarism. They then review the meanings of harmful and beneficial and how the words apply to the use of DDT. They finish the...
New York City Department of Education
Grade 5 Literacy: TCRWP Nonfiction Reading and Opinion/Argument Writing
Choose a side! Pupils watch and read several nonfiction resources about zoos. After gathering their research, they choose a side either for or against closing zoos. Scholars complete KWL charts, anticipation guides, flow charts, and...
Curated OER
A Brief History of Women in America
The story of women throughout American history is fascinating. Travel the path from domestic slave to the modern day with advocates such as Susan B. Anthony, the Grimké Sisters, and Gloria Steinem. A wonderful presentation that...
Curated OER
Poet James Whitcomb Riley: Famous in His Own Day
An engaging biography of "Hoosier" poet James Whitcomb Riley serves as a springboard for study of his unique dialect-based verse. Several activities illuminate differences between spoken vernacular and formal language. Learners record...
Curated OER
The Progressive Era: Muckrakers Grade 8
As you explore an excerpt from Upton Sinclair's The Jungle with your class, discuss how his descriptions of the meat-packing industry caught the public's attention and helped to promote change in the Progressive Era.
Curated OER
Comparing Themes Across Texts
Read various texts to compare the themes across each text. Learners write a journal entry describing the most beautiful scenery they've seen and use a map of the United States to locate the Sequoia National Park and Muir Woods. They then...
Curated OER
It's Debatable!
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.
Curated OER
The Earth, Sun Mood and Stars Unit (Planets too!)
Fifth graders prepare five activities to do then show their energy saving skills. In this investigative lesson students create five projects then participate in an energy saving demonstration.
Curated OER
Global Warming Unit: Presentation to Class and School
Students present their research reports on global warming, along with any other associated products (models, diagrams, Web-pages, etc.) to the rest of the class and school.
Curated OER
The Great Kapok Tree Debate
Learners participate in a read aloud of the story, "The Great Kapok Tree" in which a logger decides not to cut down a tree. In small groups, they discuss and write about their opinion on the logger's decision. Each group then presents...
Curated OER
The "Big Four" of the Michigan Supreme Court
Young scholars identify the justices on the Michigan Supreme Court known as the "Big Four". They relate to them by researching their lives. They participate in an activity in which they practice their investigation and presentation skills.
Curated OER
Clues to Climate Change
Eighth graders study topics related to global weather patterns and their local effects. They hone their research and presentation skills using online resources content specific tools, and graphing data. They create simple PowerPoint...
Curated OER
SIM Ecosystem
Students identify and interpret the concept of an ecosystem and the potential impact humans have on ecosystems. They also proficient in organized and methodical Internet searches. Finally, students become proficient with public...
Curated OER
The Earth, Sun, Moon, And Stars
Fifth graders explore the solar system. In this solar system unit, 5th graders investigate numerous projects while rotating through learning centers. Students write about space and construct a space shuttle model. Students practice map...
Curated OER
The Death Penalty
Middle schoolers examine the controversy surrounding the death penalty in the United States. In this current events lesson plan, students research the history of the death penalty as well perspectives on the topic. Middle schoolers...
Curated OER
National Parks
Young scholars explore the National Parks of the United Kingdom. In this National Park Authority lesson, students investigate the structure of the parks system and find out how the Otterburn Training Area is used. Young scholars then...
Curated OER
"Czech It Out" - A Look at Eastern Europe
Young scholars research several countries in Eastern Europe. Students compare and contrast several Eastern European countries and then choose a specific country to research and prepare a class presentation with their findings.