Curated OER
Torn from Each Other's Arms
Students consider how the institution of family suffered under slavery. For this slavery lesson, students watch segments of "Slavery and the Making of America". Students examine the structure of the Driggus family and discuss how...
Curated OER
Primary Sources in the Classroom: A Gold Rush Perspective
Students develop and hone their historical inquiry and analytical abilities. They draw up a list of 20 essential items they would have to bring to survive one year as a Gold Rush stampeder.
Curated OER
Post Civil Way Reconstruction
Eleventh graders research different documents pertaining to the reconstruction era. They present their findings to the class in structured presentations and unstructured discussions. Students compare and contrast their findings about...
Curated OER
Music Video
Students explore songs that tell stories over various decades and create a Garage band track for their voice. In this story song lesson, students create a video for their song group. Students present a proposal to their...
Curated OER
The Scientific Method (Senior, Science)
Student's recall from memory the steps in the scientific method. TSWBAT describe in detail the various steps of the scientific method. TSWBAT analyze a problem or situation and apply the steps of the scientific method to it.
Curated OER
Letters from the Japanese American Internment
Students examine letters of Japanese-American children during internment in World War II. They discover what it was like in the camps and how they were treated once they were released. They also view photographs of the camps.
Curated OER
Smells Like Christmas, Exploring the Nose
Students discover that the sense of smell helps us to enjoy life and explore unsafe conditions. They smell Christmas by making gingerbread ornaments.
Curated OER
Muhammad Ali
Students analyze the lifetime accomplishments of Muhammad Ali in the area of sports and his role as a catalyst for social change.
Curated OER
Patriotic Music: Three Cheers for the Red, White & Blue
Learners examine the patriotic songs of the 1940's and compare them to those of today. They identify elements that classify a song as patriotic, listen to several examples and complete Venn diagrams contrasting different examples.
Curated OER
Horns or Antlers-You Decide!
Students study the difference between horns and antlers. They identify animals who have each and draw pictures of these animals. They experience samples of actual horns and antlers.
Curated OER
Earthworm Animation
Students use animation to create their own earthworm catching and eating its prey. They must draw storyboards before they start on the animation.
Curated OER
World War One Newscast
Students complete research on the causes, battles, weapons, leaders and results of World War One and use the information to create Newscasts of the topics. These newscasts are then presented to the class.
Curated OER
The Presidential Nominating System
Students examine the process by which candidates for U.S. president are nominated by the Democratic and Republican parties. They identify the differences between primaries and caucuses and key terms and issues related to the primary...
Curated OER
The Sense of Hearing
Students study the cycle of how we listen and hear our own speech. They examine sound waves, and the role of the nervous system in hearing. They investigate the cues besides lipreading that deaf people rely on for comprehension.
Curated OER
The Heritage of Puerto Rico and Cuba
Students examine the influences of the Hispanic culture in the United States. In groups, they read about the life of a slave in Cuba and identify the misconceptions are discussed. As a class, they define racism, read an essay and...
Curated OER
Novel Extension
Sixth graders play the role of meeting Tuck Everlasting. They prepare to answer that person's questions. They determine that each member of the family wants to know about a different thing.
Curated OER
Producing a Daily News Broadcast: A Cross-Curricular Activity
Sixth graders create a daily newscast which they broadcast to the whole school. They write the scripts for the broadcast, after reviewing interviews, feature writing, and proposals. They organize the newscast for presentation and edit...
Curated OER
"Owl" A Haitian Folk Tale
Eighth graders read and discuss the Haitian folktale, "Owl." They compare it to the story, "Brer Possum's Dilemma," using a Venn diagram to show how they are different and alike. In groups, they retell the story in a skit format.
National First Ladies' Library
Saluting Babe Ruth, the Bambino
For first-hand research experience, learners study the achievements of baseball hero, Babe Ruth. They gain a better understanding of the game, especially the role of a home run. They then use their research findings to create...
Curated OER
Civil Rights/Segregation
Sixth graders investigate Civil Rights by participating in role-playing activities. In this U.S. History lesson, 6th graders research the history of slavery in order to portray a story through their debating and acting...
Curated OER
Calendars - Teaching Kids Economics
Students study economic terms and create a calendar using digital cameras. They advertise the calendar to the whole student population by making posters and singing an advertising jingle.
Curated OER
Geography Grid
Fourth graders search a database to find images and scan and affix them on an 8-foot long map of the state of Illinois. They then use it as a basis for discussion.
Curated OER
Digital Storytelling
Students write a personal narrative and convert the story into digital format. In this digital storytelling lesson, students write a personal narrative, record the story, create images for the story, add animations or transitions, and...
Curated OER
Olympic Field Day
Pupils participate in a school-wide "Olympics" complete with opening and closing ceremonies, class competitions, medals and more. Activities can vary depending on age and physical abilities.