Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biographical Scene Investigators

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders become members of the BSI in this research simulation. They apply for Biographical Scene Investigator membership, investigate an individual, keep an evidence notebook and write an investigator's report.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching a Short Story

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students work in small groups and prepare an analysis of a short story to be presented to their peers. They research the story and create a handout or a visual aid that cites sources of information and summarizes the main points of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Famous Virginians

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research a famous Virginian. They cite sources of the facts and data which they gather from a variety of sources. They present the material using PowerPoint and an oral presentation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

John McCain's Tax Stand Misrepresented

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how political advertisements can be misleading. Using a political ad against tax reform, students generate questions based on the claims in the ads. They research information to support or refute the claims in the ad and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Electric Light Tower

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students examine the San Jose Light Tower as an example of the development of urban lighting circa 1900. They view a slideshow, conduct research and write newspapers to chronicle the lighting ceremony from a variety of perspectives.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Small World Project

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students participate in the Small World Project that develops their interest and abilities necessary to find reliable information from the Internet and through global communication. They develop homepages, research topics, and produce a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lost Lyrics of Love, Lust, and Losers

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders explore the connection between poetry and the "real world". They are reminded of the elements used in poetic interpretation, and use them to analyze various texts.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Gol Solar or Not to Go Solar!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students evaluate the feasibility of installing a photovoltaic system on the roof of a new school being planned for their community. They research the topoc and then each student assumes the role of a specialist having a specific point...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students research the Lost Colony of Roanoke by interpreting John White's diary as a primary source.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Real Family Genetics

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students research genetic disease and mutation causing traits in family pedigrees simulated in a class activity. Students are each assigned a genetic trait and a "spouse" and must conduct research on their traits and the probability of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing the Position Paper

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students write position papers on a form of alternative energy production. They use several class periods to develop and write their paper and them participate in an extensive peer review session.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Organizaton of American States Project

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover the Organization of American States by researching currents issues in those countries. They create a PowerPoint presentation and share with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Computer Mystery

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate the history of the computer. They explore who invented the computer, how it was invented, and how it has evolved. Students work together in order to gain the knowledge need to repair computers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Kansas City History

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students conduct research and present a part of Kansas City history to the class. They develop questions and ideas to initiate and refine research. They use technological tools and other resources to locate, select and organize information.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Real or hoax?

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders brainstorm a list of criteria that makes a webpage useful for research and not useful for research. They complete the activity, "Real or Hoax," and discuss fiction and non fiction stories and determine which websites are...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marine Protected Areas

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students design a research project about a Marine Protected Area they chose. In this marine biology lesson, students gather fish count and catch data then graph them. They create an information poster about their findings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Real Life" Budgeting Project

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students experience what it is like to be a responsible citizen through a monthly budget through using a variety of research skills. They apply collected data in a decision making exercise and present the final product in a clear and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Toys and the more distant past

For Teachers 1st
First graders research the history of toys and games. In this toys and games lesson plan, 1st graders read books and look at paintings from the past and discuss the toys and games that were played. Then they paint themselves playing a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Testing DNA and the Death Penalty

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore issues surrounding death penalty debate and participate in a values-clarification activity to help them form their opinions on this topic. They create a talk show to discuss issues involved with DNA testing and the death...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Career Explorations and Personal Finance

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars use various search engines and Web sites to find out information for a career they think they might like to pursue. They present their information to the class in an oral report.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Ain't Whistling Dixie

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the Civil War. They identify the factors that led to the Civil War, develop and perform a skit, research and write a report, or create a replica of art from Civil War period.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Apply Scientific Inquiry and Scientific Habits of Mind

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners review the components of the scientific inquiry method. In groups, they develop hypothesis on a variety of different topics and design an investigation or experiment to test it. They share their conclusions with the class and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Alessandro Volta: The Invention of the Voltaic Pile (The First Electric Battery)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct a series of experiments on electricity. In this physics lesson, students study the work of Alessandro Volta particularly his experiment on the the Voltaic Pail. They build their own Voltaic Pile to recreate his experiment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Project Whistlestop “Show Me” Learning Unit Election of 1948-Digital Scrapbook

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a digital scrapbook of the election of 1948 -- one of the most interesting and unique elections in US History.