PBS
Blow the Roof Off!
Blow the minds of young scientists with this collection of inquiry-based investigations. Based on a series of eight videos, these "hands-on, minds-on" science lessons engage young learners in exploring a wide range of topics...
DiscoverE
Paper Tower
Read all about it! Challenge your class to build taller and stronger. Newspapers provide the means to build towers in a simple activity. Scholars try to build as tall a tower as possible with just two sheets of newspaper.
Discovery Education
How's the Weather?
Young meteorologists explore different aspects of the weather while learning about measurement devices. They build instruments and then set up a weather station outside and measure temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed, and...
Curated OER
Outo Rugged Shores: The Voyage of LST534
Students view a film about warships during World War II. They discover the job of a seaman and what impact veterens have on the world today. They also examine the lasting effects of the war.
Curated OER
Return to Vietnam: Healing on the Hill
Students view a film about soldiers returning to Vietnam years after the war. They discover the need of closure by the soldiers because the war was not won. They examine the results of the war and answer questions to complete the lesson.
Curated OER
Corner of the Carpet
Learners examine the socioeconomic conditions in Montgomery, Alabama in the late 1950's including the poverty and living condition of the blacks during this time by watching a documentary. They determine how these living conditions lead...
Curated OER
Chicago Rhythms, Chicago Roots
Students view a video about different types of music. They examine the history of jazz, big band and rock back to the city of Chicago. They discover Chicago's music scene today and compare it to the past.
Curated OER
Chicago On Stage
High schoolers view a film about the genres and disciplines of performing arts. They examine the theatre community in Chicago and the origins of theatre companies. They answer questions and discuss them to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Colors of Gray
Students view a film about theatres in Chicago. They discover how performing arts can be enjoyed by all ages and how one becomes involved in performing in theatre. They answer questions and discuss to end the lesson.
Curated OER
Fireside Chats of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Young scholars view a film about Franklin D. Roosevelt and his fireside chats. THey identify political inferences in his speeches and how the media played an important role in the war. They answer questions to complete the lesson.
Curated OER
Theory of Codes
Young scholars explore the concept of code theory. In this code theory lesson, students discuss noise, error correction, Hamming distance, parity check matrices, and cyclic codes. Young scholars develop these concepts through practice...
Curated OER
Space Science:Wherever You Go, There You Are
Learners explore navigation principles by observing, measuring, and interpreting data to determine locations. Using a compass, compass rose, and a transit, they plot courses and discover the workings of the Global Positioning System...
Curated OER
Creativity in Science
Learners view a video segment and discuss the technology and preparation that go into a satellite launch. They identify data that satellites can provide and consider how many people are involved in a satellite launch.
Curated OER
Fact Finders—The Media During Times of Crisis
High schoolers practice finding reputable facts. For this media awareness lesson, students review a handout regarding tips for evaluating media and then discover the SMART method which they use to analyze news sources and media.
Curated OER
War and the Media Fact Finders: The Media in Times of Crisis
High schoolers explore the role of the media in war reporting. In this information age lesson, students discuss how to find and disseminate factual information. High schoolers consider the source, motive, authority of information.
Curated OER
What's the Weather Forecast?
Students create a radio announcement based on the book Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. In this radio announcement lesson plan, students discuss the type of language used in other announcements and create their own.
Curated OER
Primary Source: Lucy
In this primary source instructional activity, students read a selection about Lucy, a skeleton discovered in 1974, then complete a set of 4 document-based questions.
Curated OER
Survival: The Human Body in Extreme Environments
Students create a list of signs the human body gives during threatening weather conditions. They investigate the causes and conditions of dehydration, overheating, and hypothermia.
Curated OER
Book Ads
Students observe book ads from Reading Rainbow and decide on a book to write an ad for. They prepare an ad and produce it using a digital camcorder and software.
Curated OER
Live from Ancient Olympia!
Students study online resources to examine the ancient Olympic Games and athletes. They investigate the qualities of ancient Olympic athletes and role interviews with the athletes.
Curated OER
Book Advertisements
Pupils engage in the practice of producing a report about favorite books. The show Reading Rainbow creates context for this lesson. The making of an iMovie is done to present the book as an advertisement for the whole class.
Curated OER
Staying Informed
High schoolers identify the various ways the American public can stay informed on the news. In groups, they brainstorm reasons why the public should not stick to one source for their news. They use this information to examine their own...
Curated OER
Personal and Global Conflict
Students review vocabulary of conflict. In this citizenship instructional activity, students practice conflict resolution skills by participating in a role play involving national representatives working with a UN Mediator. Students...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: All Eyes on the Iowa Caucus
Explore the primary elections through political cartoons. Three talking points guide deeper thinking as pupils analyze a cartoon, which depicts the 2008 campaigning in Iowa. Analysts identify caricatures, research why winning Iowa is...