Study Guide
Reed Novel Studies

The Westing Game: Novel Study

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
A legacy lives on. Even though Samuel Will Westing, a character in the The Westing Game, has passed away, his love for games lives on through the unusual selection in his will. Scholars read of the mystery, learn 10 new vocabulary words,...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

"The Westing Game" Activities and Lesson Plans

For Teachers 5th - 8th
You can use a novel, such as "The Westing Game", to teach reading concepts and skills in a way that keeps students interested.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mysterious Plot Problems

For Teachers 5th - 6th Standards
Your readers explore plot patterns in mysteries by identifying problems first in Two-Minute Mysteries by Donald J. Sobol and then in  The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. To gain access to the worksheets, graphic organizers and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas

For Teachers K - 2nd
You can keep this printable idea sheet and use when you're in a tight spot. It contains cross-curricular ideas that span every subject while relating to the African tale, "Anasazi the Spider." Learners will act, write, move, count,...
Lesson Plan
August House

Anansi Goes to Lunch - Pre-Kindergarten

For Teachers Pre-K
In a multidisciplinary lesson plan, you will focus your instruction around the West African folktale, Anansi Goes to Lunch by Bobby and Sherry Norfolk while your little learners sing songs, play games, participate in a grand...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Hatfield and McCoy Feud

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners explore West Virginia history with regard to Mountain and Appalachian Culture. They compare and contrast life now with life 100-150 years ago. They write and illustrate a short story about the life of children 100-150 years ago....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Patty Reed's Doll: The Story of the DonnerParty

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore westward movement through eyes of doll belonging to Patty Reed, member of Donner Party. They write journal entries from points of view of characters in book, Patty Reed's Doll, participate in Pack the Wagon game, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: The Great Tree Hunt

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders participate in an online, cooperative project researching trees in their local environments for use in an online knowledge game. They take digital pictures of the trees, bark, and leaves. After completing their research,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moving West

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Students research the Westward Movement and struggles encountered by the pioneers as they moved from Nebraska, Westward along the Oregon Trail. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students read an Oregon Trail poem and visit 5 different...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Texas Cowboy: Myth and Reality

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students create "cowboy ballads" in this interactive, multi-day lesson. The cowboy is researched using various sources and class discussions. Students evaluate individual work at the end of the lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth, Sun, Moon, And Stars

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the solar system. In this solar system unit, 5th graders investigate numerous projects while rotating through learning centers. Students write about space and construct a space shuttle model. Students practice map...
Unit Plan
Calvin Crest Outdoor School

Survival

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Equip young campers with important survival knowledge with a set of engaging lessons. Teammates work together to complete three outdoor activities, which include building a shelter, starting a campfire, and finding directions in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chapter 9: A Surprising Day and A Little Bit About China

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders complete activities with Chapter 9 of the book The Fastest Pig in the West by Randi Hacker. In this literature lesson, 5th graders discuss the concept of saving face and how it affects the main character's decisions....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Diseases of the Oregon Trail

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students identify diseases that plagued the pioneers and find preventative measures to avoid them.  In this Oregon Trail lesson, students brainstorm possible health problems and diseases for pioneers. They then research a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Manifest Destiny

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the Manifest Destiny. They interpret quotations, study point of view in writing, research English words that derived from Mexico, and analyze reasons why settlers moved west. After writing journal entries in first-person...
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Homeschooling Chronicles - Summer Book Ideas

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
With summer reading programs in full swing at local libraries, here are some selections you can use to pique everyone's interest.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Through The Looking Glass

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine the time period of westward expansion. In groups, they use the internet to research the reasons why people moved west during the 1800s. They write their own narratives playing the role of a member of a pioneer family...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Party like its 1849

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore prairie life. In this Oregon Trail lesson plan, students read literature regarding the move west and participate in cross-curricular activities. Students should take digital photographs of the participation in activities...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Word Wall, If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders use vocabulary from "If You Traveled West in a Covered Wagon" to play a game.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Orienteering - Introductory Lesson

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Gain knowledge of directions and degrees while learning how to read a compass. NEWS - north, east, west, south, and everything in between. It's crucial to be accurate in reading a compass and understanding degrees and direction when...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Chinese Inventions

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students identify inventions as coming from China. In this Chinese inventions lesson plan, students are given a list of common items such as cast iron, a wheelbarrow, and the decimal system, then conduct research to identify where they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Earth, Sun Mood and Stars Unit (Planets too!)

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders prepare five activities to do then show their energy saving skills.  In this investigative lesson students create five projects then participate in an energy saving demonstration. 
Worksheet
Curated OER

President Harry Truman

For Students 5th - 8th
In this United States Presidents worksheet, students learn about the life and presidency of Harry Truman. They then answer the 8 multiple choice questions in the packet. The answers are on the last page.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Unit Circle and Triangle

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students apply the Unit Circle to solve ratios of triangles. In this geometry lesson, students derive the different ratios of a triangle using the Pythagorean Theorem. They find the angles of a unit circle using a right triangle.