Curated OER
Identifying Minerals
Students compare and constrast a wide variety of minerals and rocks. They test them for streak, luster, color and other characteristics. They view an exhibit and compare their answers to them.
Curated OER
Discovering Dinosaurs
Students investigate the physical characteristics of dinosaurs. They participate in a puppet show, take a field trip to a dinosaur museum, and compare/contrast dinosaur characteristics at the museum.
Curated OER
Easy Street
Pupils work together to complete a simulation on drought days. As a class, they discuss their results and compare water usage of the past to current numbers. After reading short excerpts, they answer discussion questions and review as a...
Virginia Department of Education
Numbers in a Name
What's in a name? Pupils create a data set from the number of letters in the names of classmates. Each group then takes the data and creates a visual representation, such as a histogram, circle graph, stem-and-leaf plot, etc.
Curated OER
Looking at Leaves Lesson 1
Fourth graders visit an outdoor area and compare/contrast two different leaves using Venn diagrams. They create tree leaf rubbings from their leaves and examine their vein structures or needle patterns.
Curated OER
The Election Connection
Learners participate in a mock election. In this election activity, students vote online in a mock election, graph the results, and compare their results to the nationwide results.
Curated OER
Multimedia Book Report
Young readers plan and draft a book report focusing on the five key components of a novel: plot, character, setting, conflict, and theme. After completing a story board, pupils then prepare a PowerPoint book report that is shown to the...
Curated OER
One Dollar Around the World
Twelfth graders collaborate via ePals with another student from another country. They compare the value of a dollar with its power of acquisition in other countries. They list one dollar items and find the corresponding price in other...
Curated OER
The Drafts of the Declaration of Independence
Seventh graders compare drafts of the Declaration of Independence. In this primary source analysis lesson, 7th graders access copies of Thomas Jefferson's original draft of the document and compare it the final document that gave birth...
Curated OER
Design a Reef!
Here is an ambitious, but highly valuable undertaking: set up a miniature coral reef in your classroom. Young marine scientists research coral reef ecosystems and ensure all vital factors are included in their functioning model. The...
Curated OER
Celebrate Hanukkah!
Students listen to a book about Hanukkah and compare it to other holidays such as Diwali and Ramadan. They create candles using construction paper and cellophane and decorate the room for Hanukkah.
Curated OER
Paradise Lost: Anticipation Guide
To set the stage for reading Paradise Lost, class members compete an anticipation guide containing statements that connect to themes in Milton's epic poem.
Desert Discoveries
Creating a Garden Journal
Youngsters create science journals which are used to record observations from the school garden. The goal of this activity is to help kids tune into nature by making daily observations on the growth of the plants, and also to take note...
Curated OER
Year Round Schools?
Students explore reasons for the length of the school year in the United States. The pros and cons for extensions of the year are researched and discussed.
Curated OER
Comparing the European Community with the U.S.
Learners research a country to compare with the U.S. In this compare/contrast instructional activity, students research the CIA World Factbook research a European country's characteristics. Learners calculate growth rate and doubling...
Curated OER
Something is Different: Same/Different
In this different/same worksheet, student draw an X on the picture in a box that is different from the others, 6 sets total. A reference web site is given for additional activities.
Curated OER
The Crucible
Twelfth graders use an Internet scavenger hunt, vocabulary, sample essay questions, and short answer questions suitable for study and review of the play, The Crucible.
Curated OER
As Seen on TV
Sixth graders research how minority groups are represented in media. In this media literacy lesson, 6th graders investigate two YouTube clips of Hugo Chavez and discuss different points of view.
Curated OER
World Population
Young scholars examine the world population data using MyWorld GIS software and compare and contrast the population characteristics of countries around the world. Students summarize their findings in a report.
Curated OER
Venn Diagram with Blocks
Fifth graders classify blocks according to their attributes. In this math lesson, 5th graders will identify attributes of blocks, sort them, then form the groups into a Venn Diagram, and write ratios using the attributes.
Curated OER
Philanthropic Literature: Give a cookie
Pupils read a book to discover the importance of sharing. They predict what will happen in the story. Students use manipulatives to model the story problem. Pupils follow instructions, measure ingredients, and make cookies.
Curated OER
Environmental Graphing
Students experiment with graphing. In this graphing introduction lesson, students complete four activities: 1) a bar graph based on class birthdays 2) an estimation graph of the raisins in raisin bread 3) another estimation example with...
EngageNY
Getting to Know Esperanza (Chapter 2: “Las Uvas/Grapes”)
Delve into Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan with close reading and evidence-based, text-dependent questions. Part of a unit series, this well-sequenced, Common Core designed instructional activity draws on material from the...
Reed Novel Studies
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg: Novel Study
What was the purpose of the Enrollment Act of 1863? Pupils consider the topic while completing the novel study for The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg by Rodman Philbrick. They write original similes and answer reading...