American Institute of Architects
Architecture: It's Elementary!—First Grade
Build an interest and appreciation for architecture in your young learners with this fun 10-lesson art unit. Engaging children in using their five senses, the class first observes the environment around them, paying...
Northshore School District
American Voices and Their Audiences
Those new to teaching an AP level language and composition prep course and seasoned veterans will find much to treasure in a unit that is designed to help young language scholars develop the skills they need to analyze the language...
Curated OER
Declarations of Independence
Students examine what they know about American Indians past and present, then research key issues facing American Indian tribes today. To synthesize their learning, students write letters taking the perspective of an American Indian.
Curated OER
Urban Legends
Students consider how people of color and minority culture are represented in video games. After debating the issue as representatives of various interest groups, students reflect on their personal feelings regarding this issue.
Curated OER
Unmasking the Middle East
Students explore many of the countries in the Middle East, developing research-based posters and a spider web illustrating the relationships among the countries. They write letters to fictional peers in Middle Eastern countries.
Lakeshore Learning
Winter Bear Warm-Up
Don't be left out in the cold, ensure young learners are prepared for the winter weather with this clothing activity. After introducing them to different clothing items using the provided picture cards, students sing a song before...
Defining US
Integration of Education and American Society
How did the struggle for Civil Rights during the 1950s transform American society and politics? Why are American schools integrated today? Class members explore these essential questions by examining a series of primary and secondary...
Curated OER
Autism Help Through PowerPoint
Students investigate the effects of autism by creating a slide-show presentation. In this special needs lesson, students define autism and the mental health problems it can cause young people afflicted with it. Students...
Curated OER
Exploring Explorers
Young scholars research a selected explorer and teach their small group about their explorer during a jigsaw activity. Independently they write a letter as if they were on a voyage with their explorer, and create a world map that...
Curated OER
Put Me Into the Ball Game
Students examine and discuss Jackie Robinson's legacy by reading two articles about Jackie Robinson, one from 2007 and one from 1947. They analyze how he broke the color barriers sixty years ago and how he is honored today and how is...
Curated OER
Our Friendship Chain Links Us Together
Students explore what makes a good friend. They listen to songs, list qualities of a good friend, draw a picture of their friends on a paper link, and create a class paper chain.
Curated OER
Winter vs. Summer
Students explore the seasons. In this winter and summer instructional activity, students read The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats and Summer by Maria Ruis. Students compare the 2 seasons as they create t-charts, try on seasonal clothing,...
Curated OER
Celebrate May Day this Spring
Welcome spring as you explore various traditions for celebrating May Day.
Curated OER
Geography and Culture of China
Take out a map, a paper, a ruler, and those coveted colored pencils for a lesson on Chinese culture and geography. This is a multifaceted approach to basic geography skills that incorporate story telling, class discussion, primary source...
Curated OER
Random Acts of Kindness For Kids
Develop a world-wide, email chain on which class members can showcase their acts of kindness. After defining the meaning of random acts of kindness through discussion and through a reading of Random Acts of Kindness,...
Curated OER
Tracing Our Own Family Pilgrimages
Pupils observe a world map and are introduced to vocabulary like: cities, continents, rivers, lakes, and oceans. They discuss the names of the cities they live in and locate them on the map; then using a colored pushpin indicate: the...
Curated OER
A Picture-Perfect Place
Young scholars make a post card of a special place in their community. They write about the place they have drawn, telling why they feel it's an important part of their hometown. They address and send to another school.
Curated OER
Everyone Is Special
Students discuss tolerance. In this philanthropy lesson, students read the book A Very Special Critter by Gina Mayer and discuss the character's disability. Students role play how to be tolerant of a new student with a disability.
Curated OER
Contribution to the Beautification of Parma
First graders participate in beautification project in their local area. In this community service lesson, 1st graders plan and prepare a flower planting project for a low income area of their city. They practice arranging flowers in...
Curated OER
Contributions in Society
First graders explore Canadian history by investigating the First Nations. In this Canadian heritage lesson, 1st graders identify the contributions made by the First Nations to the country of Canada. Students collaborate to create a...
Curated OER
Bee Kind Hearts
Students promote random acts of kindness. In this character education lesson, students record acts of kindness that they witness on paper hearts. Students create a chain of hearts to hang in the school.
Curated OER
"Julie of the Wolves"
Fifth graders research life in Alaska and compare life there to their lives in this lesson. They read "Julie of the Wolves." They research through the novel and other reference books facts about the Alaskan climate and geography. They...
Curated OER
Cultural Collision
Students examine the culture of the Native Americans. As a class, they discuss the negative impact of the melting pot theory and how different cultures can be preserved today. In pairs, they practice saying Native American words and...
Curated OER
Amazon Alphabet
Students create an alphabetic Amazon animal mural, illustrating the diversity of life in the tropical rain forest of the Amazon Basin.