Prestwick House
The Grapes of Wrath
At over 450 pages, John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize winning novel The Grapes of Wrath can be a challenging choice for full-class, book circle, or independent reading. The activities in a 10-page sample The Grapes of Wrath...
Curated OER
Water Wars
Students investigate the water wars taking place in Ethiopia. In this global issues lesson, students research the water shortages in East Africa. Students participate in a discussion that requires them to put themselves in the shoes of...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Partying with Two/Three Digit Whole Numbers
Learners practice problem-solving with this addition activity. They plan a party for their class and another class by determining how many cupcakes are needed. Students draw a picture of how they determined the number of cupcakes.
Curated OER
Higher Order Thinking (H.O.T.) Lesson - BIG E
Fourth graders work with patterns while using large numbers. In this patterning lesson, 4th graders go over the definitions of the words: predict, estimate, attendance, increase, and decrease. They complete worksheets in which they track...
Curated OER
Fraction Conversion 2 (With Percents)
Fifth graders determine how to convert fractions, decimals, and percents. In this conversion lesson, 5th graders use an on-line applet to practice making these conversions. They review how to make the conversions in a whole class lesson...
Curated OER
A Whole Lot of Shakin' Goin' On!
Students review characteristics of an earthquake. They explore information about earthquakes to determine the effects of an earthquake. They compare the earthquakes of 1906 and 1989.
Curated OER
Agriculture Around the World
Students explore various kinds of farming methods around the world. In this history lesson, students view pictures of farming methods, then compare and contrast them in a class discussion with the methods of farming that are used...
Curated OER
Learning Opportunities around the World
Students discover how education effects them and their community in a positive way. In this community lesson, students engage in a class discussion about the benefits of public education and play "community I-Spy."
Curated OER
Grocery Store Bans Plastic Bags
Students participate in the paper vs. plastic bag debate, then read a news article about one grocery store that is banning plastic bags. In this current events activity, the teacher introduces the news article with a debate and a...
Curated OER
Place Value
Practice place value skills with this lesson. Learners put numbers in order from greatest to least, identify the values of particular numbers, and engage in an activity to compare numbers using manipulatives.
Curated OER
Cover To Cover
Young learners are introduced to the most basic elements and concepts of a book with this pre-kindergarten language arts lesson plan. Through modeling and discussion, the whole class explores how to read a book and how to determine if...
Curated OER
Language Change: The Origins of Names
In small groups or pairs, learners explore the origins of each others' names. An awesome idea, but you'll need to do the initial research to gather your class's names and their origins. Or, consider having each member of your class...
TV411
How Do You Read Your News?
Words carry baggage. Class members are asked to consider the weight of words in an exercise that contrasts the word choices in two versions of the same event. Consider following the exercise with an activity in which pairs craft positive...
Curated OER
Introducing Communication Talent with "Casey at the Bat"
Analyze the poem "Casey at the Bat." Your team of analysts will read the poem and complete a variety of activities, including describing how Casey looks and acts, describing how he feels before and after he strikes out, and sharing...
Curated OER
Earth Surface Socratic Questions
Students explore the ways Earth's surface is shaped by hydrologic, climate and tectonic forces by participating in a whole class discussion. They respond to prompts that lead them to conclusions about the relationships between landforms...
Curated OER
Solid Earth Socratic Questions
Students participate in a whole class discussion to relate what they know about earthquakes to the processes of plate tectonics. They respond to prompts that lead them to conclusions about the layers of the earth.
Curated OER
Court Documents Related to Martin Luther King, Jr., and Memphis Sanitation Workers
Students read about the civil rights movement in their textbooks. They engage in a whole-class discussion of how nonviolent direct action can be a powerful tool for bringing about social, economic, or political change.
Louisiana Department of Education
The Metamorphosis
How can something be true even if it didn't happen? Invite your classes to investigate the truths found in the world of magical realism as they analyze short stories, poems, informational texts, video, and art from this genre.
Curated OER
Hispanic World - Spain
Take your class on an electronic field trip to Spain! Visit Cordoba or Barcelona, and run with the bulls (virtually) in Pamplona. Groups search the Internet to find sites that permit them to explore the original Spanish-speaking country....
Macmillan Education
Webquest: Thanksgiving
Class members use the Internet to research the history of Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada, as well as the traditions surrounding the Thanksgiving-style celebrations of the Hebrews, the Chinese, and in Ancient Greece and Rome.
Curated OER
Equivalent Fraction Paper Strips
Young learners compare the relative values of fractions by making physical representations. They fold and label strips of paper that are equal in length to represent "one whole" and the equal parts that fractions represent. Also, they...
Curated OER
Observation Milk Fat Lesson
Turn your class loose to experiment with the different fat content in skim milk, whole milk, half and half, and heavy cream. This is a visually vibrant experiment, as learners drip food coloring on the surface of the products and measure...
Brigham Young University
Flipped: Problematic Situations
An activity based on the young adult novel Flipped, groups work to make the same difficult decision a character in the novel faces. Each group is given the same scenario about caring for a mentally disabled brother personally...
Curated OER
Number After Bingo 1-15
Using a number line, as a class, discuss the concept of the number after. Choosing numbers on the number line, ask your kindergartners what number comes next and point to that number. Once the class has this concept down, pair-up and...