Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Giving Speeches: George Washington's First and Second Inaugural Addresses

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students discuss the purpose of the President of the United States giving an inaugural address. They describe their impressions of any inaugural speaches they have heard or read. Students research events leading up to Washington's first...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

And It's All for Charity

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students fight poverty. In this current events lesson, students research the listed Web sites to find out how Red Nose Day was established by Comic Relief to raise funds to fight world poverty.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

People, Places and Environments

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students predict a future for Gary, IN and US Steel Works. They explain how their own town would change if US Steel built this large of a facility in it and discuss why or shy not their town would have been an alternative to choosing Gary.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's Raining Cats and Dog: Studying Idioms

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders determine the literal and figurative meanings of idioms and research the history of idioms. In this idioms lesson, 7th graders read two books by Fred Gwynne and select two idioms from the texts to research. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Campaign Finance Reform and Public Opinion

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners discuss the issue of finance reform in political campaigns. Using the internet, they identify the positives and negatives of finance reform and research the problems associated with campaign fund-raising. They share their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

John Fox Slater and the Freedmen

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders discover how Northern philanthropists fought against Jim Crow laws in the South. In this Reconstruction activity, 11th graders analyze 2 letters written by John Fox Slater and determine what his motivations were in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Roman Influences in Israel and the Modern World

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Pupils practice critical thinking skills. They compare Ancient Roman influences on the Middle East region (Beit Shean, Masada, and Zippori) with Ancient Roman influences still present in our culture today.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Converting Units and the SR-71

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students practice solving problems logically. Using the internet, students observe pictures and facts about the SR-71 Blackbird. They convert statistics about the aircraft. Students explore terms of flight and convert them to everyday...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cause and Effect

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Learners examine the role of the Prince's Trust. In this British charities lesson plan, students research selected websites to determine the type of charity work that is performed by the Prince's Trust. Learners also research the work of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flags and Freedom

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students create their own flag with symbols and colors that each have specific meanings. In this flags lesson plan, students review the American Flag and what the symbols and colors of it mean.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Land and the Water

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read "The Land and the Water," a fictional short story and an article about John F. Kennedy, Jr. and compare and contrast fictional tragedy to a non-fiction tragedy. They fill out a Venn diagram and write an essay using...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Primary History Extension Activity - Invasion and Settlement

For Students 5th - 9th
In this primary history worksheet, students sharpen their research skills as they study Anglo-Saxon invasion and settlement of England. Students select 1, 2, 3, or 4 extension projects to complete.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Treason and Trials - Aaron Burr

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the Constitutional definition of treason and research the case of Aaron Burr as first interpreted in 1807. They consider how Burr's case relates to the case of John Walker Lindh.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What are the Chemical and Microbiological Effects of Run-off from a Catfish Pond on the Surrounding Soil and Water?

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students study data from a USDA catfish pond. They look for microbial populations and chemical concentrations in the runoff to determine the effectiveness of filter strips. They use their knowledge of biogeochemical cycles to explain the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing and Creating with Power Point

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the process of creating a Powerpoint presentation. They choose a "How to" topic, conduct research, organize their ideas, and develop and present their Powerpoint presentation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Comics to teach Habitat and the Balance of Nature

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Young scholars visit a specific online comics website to view a comic. They discuss the elements of the food chain that were seen in the story. They choose an inhabitant of the pond habitat that they have been reading about and do a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Major people and events of WWII

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders research major people from WWII. They interview each person in their group, then create a newspaper which contains articles, advertisements and illustrations from the WWWII period.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reading and Poetry Theatre

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Student increase their reading fluency through the use of various strategies. After reviewing crosschecking and cover-up, students complete an initial read of a novel text. Working with a partner, they read complete a timed assessment of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Aviation History/Writing and Forensic Science

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
In this aviation instructional activity, students research Charles Augustus Lindbergh and other early aviators and their flying machines. They then write a letter to one of the aviators asking questions about the mechanics of flight and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Other , The Other, and Another Review

For Students 5th - 8th
For this vocabulary skills worksheet, students examine 8 sentences and fill in the blank in each of the sentences with "other, the other, or another."
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Brain and Senses

For Teachers 6th - 7th
Students investigate the brain through multiple senses. In this biology lesson, students experiment with different activities involving taste, memory, touch, and sight to understand how the brain works. Students work in partners and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leadership and Proactive Problem solving: Discussion Scenarios For International Travel and Development Work

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students take an international trip to explore global issues and problems. In preparation for the trip, groups of students participate in a role play of situations they may face overseas. They discuss the outcome and problem solving...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The 1955 Flood and Its Changes

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore Connecticut history. In this 1955 flood instructional activity, 7th graders compare maps of Putnam, CT before and after the flood. Students also read eyewitness accounts in order to prepare for a debate about the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Young Adults Who Give and Receive Help

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students analyze how young adults view and experience the social impact of giving and receiving help. In this behavior analysis lesson, students discuss acts of kindness and motivations behind the acts. Students examine all aspects of...