Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduce Vocabulary: A Picture Book of Abe Lincoln (Adler)

For Teachers K - 3rd
The story of Abe Lincoln serves as the backdrop to this vocabulary-in-context activity as you read David Adler's A Picture Book of Abraham Lincoln. Scholars learn these politically themed words before listening to you read the story...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mayoral Responsibility

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students profile New York City Mayors Rudolph W. Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg and research the actions they took before and after terrorist incidents since 1993. They then write essays about the contribution made by their own mayors.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Different Point of View

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Elementary schoolers utilize a pattern worksheet embedded in this plan to work on a deeper understanding of geometric concepts like symmetry and congruency. Since geometry is such a visual form of mathematics, this lesson should fit...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Mayor Speaks to the Class About City Government

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners investigate politics by speaking to the Mayor of their city. In this local politician lesson, students listen as the Mayor speaks in front of them in their class and ask the Mayor questions about his daily duties. Learners write...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mayor Puts City on Diet to Lose a Million Pounds

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students read a story called Mayor Puts City on Diet to Lose a Million Pounds and answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about it. In this current event Lose a Million Pounds lesson plan, students respond to literature by...
Lesson Plan
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Foreign Policy Research Institute

Teaching the 9/11 Anniversary

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Here is a lesson plan on terrorism and 9/11. While outdated, it could be easily revised for today's teens. It includes targeted vocabulary, a background information activity, critical thinking questions, and step-by-step procedures for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eminent Domain: Whose Land is it Anyway?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research eminent domain and whether or not there has been a land dispute in their community. Students search local newspapers, local history books or talk with civic leaders and long-time citizens and create a chart showing the...
Lesson Plan
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PBS

Interviewing: The Art of Asking Questions

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Interviewing skills are important, even outside of a news reporter's desk or employer's office. Take your class through the process of interviewing people they don't know with a set of case studies featuring journalists and various...
Lesson Plan
Cornell University

Fibers, Dyes, and the Environment

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
Nanofibers can be made through electrospinning or force spinning in order to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Pupils study the role of fibers and dye on the environment through a series of five hands-on activities. Then,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

2002 City of Newark Mayoral Campaign

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research community issues and develop a consensus of issues they think the next mayor should address and study the candidates' positions they have chosen to track.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Peaceful Place Is Powerful for the Mind

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore, analyze and interpret how schools can become peaceful places to learn and interact with others. They study a wide variety of avenues to achieve this task through classroom, community and career activities...
Lesson Plan
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Museum of the Moving Image

AdMaker, Nixon vs. Humphrey, “Convention” (1968)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
After viewing the infamous 1968 Presidential campaign ad, "Convention," groups use AdMaker to create their own 30 second ad that features Richard Nixon rather than Hubert Humphrey.
Lesson Plan
City University of New York

Urban Politics: Machines and Reformers

For Teachers 7th - 8th Standards
Take a trip to the turn of the twentieth century with a resource about industrialism in America. With primary source documents and focus questions, learners think about the ways that government groups and organizations paved the way...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's the Hold-Up?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the current plan by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to retain underperforming third graders in public schools. They research and debate social promotion versus retention.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Local Leaders

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders recognize the importance of having community leaders.  In this community leaders lesson, 2nd graders find local leader names and local leader news items. Students answer questions and create a graphic organizer...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Citizenship and the Constitution

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students identify government officials and resources on a local, state and national level. They determine the structure of local, state, and national governments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leader of the Pack

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students take a closer look the 2008 London mayoral race. In this current events instructional activity, students research the listed Web sites that include information about the candidates for mayor and their attributes. Students also...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Check Out Community Preparedness

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research storm preparedness in local community, identify ways citizens are notified of impending weather emergencies, contact city administrators to discuss disaster plan and whether it has ever been implemented, and interview...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The School Holiday Calendar

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Various Muslim holidays and their meanings are researched and your students will predict whether or not they should be recognized on the New York City school calendar.  An extension could be to write a letter to the Mayor about...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lights, Camera....Ticket

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Using a variety of linked sites, students gather information about the pros and cons of traffic light cameras generating tickets. Students are encouraged to interview city officials. They prepare a presentation, and decide for themselves...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Peace Corps Challenge Game- Water Quality

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students advocate for clean water.  In this water pollution lesson, students play the Peace Corps Challenge Game, discuss the effects of polluted water and write a letter to the mayor of Wanzuzu highlighting the situation of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

All Americana

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research American landmarks and symbols. In this United States history instructional activity, 5th graders create a KWL chart about the symbols of America and take notes during a PowerPoint presentation. Students complete...
Lesson Plan
Concordia University Chicago

The Pietá by Michelangelo Buonarroti

For Teachers 7th
Why is arts education so important? It builds critical thinking, analysis and creative problem-solving skills. Learners review the life of Michelangelo Buonarroti, and then analyze his piece, The Pieta. After that, they'll sculpt a human...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Know Your Local Government

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Young scholars attend a local assembly meeting of local government officials and keep a journal of what they saw. In this assembly lesson plan, students also discuss government and how they think government can influence society.