Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ancient Cliff Dwellers of Mesa Verde

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Learners research evidence discovered during Mesa Verde archaeological dig, view images of ancient artifacts, simultate real dig and reconstruct items buried on school grounds, and create newsletter or video tape skit.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Persuade or Die!

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers read Patrick Henry's speech. They review prior learning about persuasive writing, and the American revolutionary war. Students listen as the teacher reads Patrick Henry's speech aloud to the class using lots of emotion and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Dragon: Jake Long

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students, after viewing the film "American Dragon," by Jake Long, explore and analyze the importance of legends and the unique cultures others grow up in. They stress the need for having a good self-esteem and assess how to work together...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

South American Gauchos

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore the culture and background of the South American Pampas and Gauchos. Through reading and discussion activities, 4th graders gather information about the Gauchos. To conclude the activity, students create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interpreting Christopher Columbus

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare historical interpretations. In this research skills lesson, students use Internet and print resources to research the controversy regarding Christopher Columbus's work as an explorer. Students use their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Bill of Rights: Debating the Amendments

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the Bill of Rights. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students participate in classroom debate regarding the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. Students then vote for the amendments they would like to ratify.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Constitution: Drafting a More Perfect Union

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners analyze an unknown primary source document to determine its origin. In this Constitution lesson, students read primary source documents and contrast and compare the evolution of the drafts of the Constitution. Learners analyze...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Declaration of Independence: From Rough Draft to Proclamation

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine and analyze an unknown document (Jefferson's original rough draught of The Declaration). In this document analysis lesson, students compare the rough draught with the first printed version and work in pairs to analyze...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The First Thanksgiving

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research the first Thanksgiving. In this first Thanksgiving lesson plan, students research the Internet about how the first Thanksgiving came about between the Native Americans and the Pilgrims. They complete a KWL chart, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wars and Conflicts

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore the concepts of war and conflict. For this research skills lesson, students use Internet and print sources to research the causes, effects, main events, and significant figures of selected wars.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Community

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Students identify how their school has changed. In this local community lesson, students listen to a brief history of their town and school and interview someone that graduated from their school. Students then create a map of their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Environmental Justice

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this Gulf Oil Spill lesson, students discuss how environmental pollution affects those how live in poverty at a higher rate than those with more affluence. Students read...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Greece Research

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore ancient Greece. In this ancient civilizations lesson plan, 6th graders research how ancient Greece influenced modern societies. Students prepare PowerPoint presentations to share their findings with their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tooling Around Arizona: Reading Arizona Maps

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research Arizona maps. In this map lesson, students discuss map titles, scales, directions, elevation, and symbols. The class will examine topography, landforms, and rivers found on an Arizona map.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Egyptian Civilization

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore facets of ancient Egyptian life. In this lesson on ancient civilizations, 5th graders find the location of ancient Egyptian nations on a world map and describe the climate and features. They explain how post...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rainforest Resources

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students explore products of the rainforest. For this environmental stewardship lesson, students discover the resources that the rainforest holds and examine products from the rainforest used around the world.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Prairie Voices: Spare Time

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students examine forms of recreation throughout the last 150 years. For this leisure time lesson, students investigate leisure activities in pre- and post-industrial society as they listen to a teacher-led lecture and discuss their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animals, Animals, Everywhere

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders participate in a variety of activities dealing with animal characteristics and classifications in this multi-task lesson. They use graphic organizers, make booklets, and make models.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interviews with the American People "Days of Infamy"

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students compare and contrast statements made by people in "Man on the Streets." They are interviewing them on the current war in Iraq and how they felt on Sept. 11th. These interviews are tape recorded. To see what kinds of questions to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abstract Painting - Inspired By Textiles

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders compare and contrast various forms of artistic expression. They create an abstract painting.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

1846: Portrait of America in the Time of Don Pasquale: An Historic Look at American Life During the 1840's

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students construct an historical timeline extending from 1840-1850. They discuss various people, places, and events on their timelines.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering Yourself

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore Aboriginal storytelling. In this literature lesson, students read Knots on a Counting Rope and then create a story line as they discuss the attributes of Aboriginal culture. Students retell the story in their own words.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Create a Research Book

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students use the internet to research the production of manuscripts and books. Using this information, they create a research book full of tips to research effectively. They share their new book with the class after organizing the material.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Treasure Hunters

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers design an on campus treasure hunt to find various architectural vocabulary words which they then create definitions for on the blog page on the Environmental Design website.