Curated OER
Primary Grades Vocabulary Instruction With Word Wizard Dictionary
Elementary schoolers discover that the world is at their fingertips as they acquire new vocabulary. Several suggested activities and strategies are provided here, building new reading and oral vocabulary.
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Rapid Reading
Young scholars review sight recognition and blending by using an index card with one of the words from the word wall on it. They read a story aloud as a class and hold up their card when they hear their word and sing a song that allows...
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Igneous Rock Lab
In this igneous rock worksheet, students answer 5 questions about igneous rocks and then use a website to find the 6 textures of igneous rock. Students record data such as the color, the texture, if it's intrusive or extrusive, if its...
Global Oneness Project
The Importance of Indigenous Language Revitalization
Middle schoolers consider languages as representations of cultures and the importance of preserving various languages, especially the rapidly disappearing languages of indigenous peoples, in a lesson that tells the story of Marie Wilcox...
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Describing Paintings: Calm or Stormy
Young writers use nouns, verbs, and adjectives to describe details in two paintings. One depicts a sunny landscape, and the other shows a cloudier view. They write a narrative inspired by the paintings, paying attention to transitional...
Out of Africa Wildlife Park
A Thematic Learning Guide to Lions
Written as an accompaniment to a field trip to the Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Arizona, this is an interdisciplinary, themed lesson on lions. Even if you cannot take your upper-elementary kids to this attraction, there are a few...
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Herb is the Word
Students conduct an experiment to determine how different soils affect plant growth over a six-week period. After determining the physical properties of different types of soil, students plant various types of seeds into the soil...
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I Hate All . . .
Students examine the concept of prejudice of human beings towards other human beings. They define prejudice and analyze the history of the word, read a U.N. Commission Report on prejudice, and examine textbooks for prejudice.
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Oh Look, You're Fluent!
Students practice decoding unknown words and improving their fluency. They review using cover-up sticks to decode unknown words while reading. They practice sentences and a short story to increase their fluency. They work in pairs...
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Lyddie: An Instructional Unit Resource Guide
Katherine Paterson’s young adult novel Lyddie is the foundation of a differentiated instruction unit that not only explores the rise of industrialization and labor but women’s rights issues as well. After learners read the novel, they...
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Allele and Phenotype Frequencies in Rock Pocket Mouse Populations
In the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, some tiny creatures show just how quickly natural selection can turn a mutation into an advantageous adaptation. Watch a video about rock pocket mice, who show that one small change can make all...
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Hispanic World - Lesson Six
Students explore a Spanish speaking country and compare their research to their initial expectations and biases regarding the Hispanic culture. They share their findings with the class.
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Natural Features of Our Community
Second graders read about and discuss natural features of communities. They listen to a guest speaker, such as a park ranger to expand their knowledge of natural features. They go on a field trip, if possible, to a local zoo or...
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Biodiversity - Who Cares?
Students articulate some of the impacts of loss of biodiversity. They play a game that demonstrates why having a rich variety of life is important to the survival of ecosystems and how invasive species are threatening local biodiversity.
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Speedy Gonzoloz!
Students explore how to read in a smooth, fast manner with expression. They practice reading a selected text within their reading groups. Students work on fluency while reading. They create a recording of the book and then listen to the...