Roald Dahl
The Twits - Mrs Twit
"A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly." The second lesson in an 11-part unit that accompanies The Twits by Roald Dahl uses poetry to encourage positive character traits. Mrs. Twit has ugly thoughts, but those thoughts can...
Curated OER
Overcoming Poor Decisions
Fifth graders engage in a lesson that focuses on the outcomes of poor decisions. They investigate the character trait of perseverance and how it can build self-esteem after experiencing the consequences of a poor decision. Students use...
Curated OER
Miss Alaineus Lesson Plan
Students gain an understanding of various literary devices and strengthen their vocabulary. For this Miss Alaineus lesson plan, students read the vocabulary tale, discuss the use of literary devices and choose from 4 possible...
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Guidance for Creating Phonics Lessons for Dyslexic Students
Here is a quick and easy guide to help a new teacher build phonics lessons for students with dyslexia. It stresses the importance of fundamental basics while also providing clear and direct instructional practices that will help you...
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Beauty is More Than Skin Deep: Examining the Positive and Negative Depictions of Physical Appearance in Children's Films
Third graders compare and contrast different versions of the same story. They recognize our differences, identify qualities that make us special and unique individuals, and create a 'Wanted' poster illustrating a special quality.
California Department of Education
How to Succeed in Life
Is it possible that six simple traits lead to a happy, successful life? Part four of a six-part series of college and career readiness lessons examines the effects of character in determining success. Working groups discuss...
Curated OER
Phineas Gage: Personal Phrenology Chart During Reading Activity
Phrenology, the belief that parts of your brain control certain aspects of your personality, is described in Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science. While we now know much more about the brain, learners use this idea...
Curated OER
School News
Students create a video of school news to improve writing skills, speaking skills, questioning skills, and to help build self esteem.
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Teaching Students About Goal Setting
Building efficacy through goal setting is a great way to give your students the tools to succeed.
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Celebrate A People!
Students explore African-American students literature as an integral building block in empowering all students to a better awareness when reading and writing. They use as a productive Social Studies tool for overall understanding of the...
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Campus Habitat Improvement Plan
Young scholars work to improve a plot of land. They assess the needs of the environment and formulate a plan. They plant trees and gardens, build bird boxes, construct waterholes. etc.
Curated OER
Welcome to Our School
Students build a friendly environment for future students by creating a PowerPoint presentation. In this middle school introduction lesson, students utilize a camera to record important moments throughout the school year. Students...
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Approaching Walden Curriculum Unit
Students engage in a literature study unit. They use various exercises to build reading comprehension using a wide variety of literature texts. While reading the books, students are encouraged to think reflectively in order to appreciate...
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The Rhythm of Life - Episode One - Rhythm
Young scholars investigate the role of music in their lives. They examine rhythm as the building block of music and examine how to appreciate music. They investigate music as a tool in health and healing.
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Math Review (Preparing for CST)
Students integrate Math and Music to practice the concept of adding and subtracting decimals. In this math review activity, students explore music as a way to build math skills. Students listen to the "Decimal Song" and then write a math...
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Pay It Forward Project
Create a list of random acts of kindness and have your class perform them during a designated week. Learners will also participate in a project centered around being kind to others. Each grade chooses their kindness project, and then...
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How to Implement Project Based Learning to Engage Students
Can a math teacher employ project-based learning? Learn how one great math teacher uses PBL to design math projects that provide learners with a more challenging and holistic learning experience. A wonderful article, that includes three...
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Helping Adolescents Deal with Peer Pressure
Designed by a mental health center, this presentation is meant to educate educators how to help teens face peer pressure. Tips are provided for identifying at-risk youth and bullying situations. This would be a poignant topic to include...
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"Zigzag"
Students listen to the book "Zigzag" by Robert D. San Souci, and examine the concepts of friendship, respect, and determination. They answer story comprehension questions, then create a fabric doll using the shapes from the book.
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We Can't Decide
Second graders investigate decision making skills that they can apply on a daily basis. For this decision making lesson, 2nd graders listen to a read aloud of Pinocchio and make a list of times when decisions have to be made. They access...
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Why Be Active?
Are there benefits to being physically active? Yes! There are both short-term and long-term benefits! Being physically active doesn't just have strengthen you physically, but also emotionally and socially. Learners find out how to...
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I Can Balance. You Can Balance.
It's disturbing to think that one third of children born after the year 2000 will suffer from diabetes and perhaps be the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents! Too many youngsters are not eating properly and are not...
Bully Free Systems
Bully Free Lesson Plans—Seventh Grade
Having a hard time defining bullying with your seventh graders? Discuss the different types of behavior one would see in a bullying situation with a series of lessons, worksheets, and group activities.
Bully Free Systems
Bully Free Lesson Plans—Eighth Grade
Middle schoolers are likely very familiar with the concept of bullying and cliques. Discuss their experiences and brainstorm ways to handle peer conflict and feelings of exclusion with a poem that focuses on bullying, and a second lesson...