Curated OER
Types of Branches
Fourth graders study the three branches of government. In this politics lesson, 4th graders list the three branches of government, understanding what each branch does, and compare and contrast how government is run with how the...
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The Timeline of a Lifetime
Students create a timeline which includes four important events from their own life, two national events and two world events. They write an essay highlighting the four events included on the timeline.
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The Declaration of Independence
Students explore the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. They research a philosopher using reference books and reliable
Internet sources and write a two-page paper utilizing proper writing conventions. In addition, they...
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The Student Newspaper on World War I
Students explore WW I through the publication of a completely student-compiled newspaper.
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Understanding the Importance of the Declaration of Independence
Eighth graders examine the importance of the Declaration of Independence
by using a variety of research sources and computer technology to obtain information. They internalize the thoughts, actions, and motives of the signers of the...
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Yearbook Interviews
Students apply interview techniques for yearbook articles. They interview the teacher and classmates. They must write questions that are grammatically correct in order to have them answered by the teacher.
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Living Legacies
Students explore the contemporary commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., research the positive impact another famous person has had on society and the images that best represent the actions and beliefs of that person.
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Exploring Pioneer America
Fourth graders research pioneers who had a strong influence on westward expansion. In this westward expansion activity, 4th graders write an essay about four pioneers and an interview script about one. Students work in pairs to present...
Shakespeare in American Life
Patriarchy in King Lear and As I Lay Dying
King Lear, “Papa Doc” Duvalier, Colonel Walter E. Kurtz and Anse Bundren? Imagine a unit that examines the tragic hero and patriarchy in King Lear, As I Lay Dying and Apocalypse Now. To liven the brew, learners are asked to include in...
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Treatments for Characters' Problems
Students research treatments for problems associated with specific characters. For this online research lesson, students use kid-friendly search engines to find information that will help a character from Charlie and the Chocolate...
C.S. Lewis Foundation
Study Guide to Letters to Malcolm
C.S. Lewis outlines in his final book Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer, the struggle of what happens during prayer, and the purpose of the action. The resource provides two sets of questioning. The first furnishes deep...
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Honoring Property Rights
Students examine the issue of cheating. In this property rights lesson, students define honor and discuss intellectual property rights as they explore a case study.
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Westward Expansion
Middle schoolers explore the Westward Expansion Movement of U.S. history. For this Westward movement lesson, students use primary and secondary source documents research personal accounts of those who travelled west during the era....
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Dr. Fix-It Subjects: Health, Government
Help your young scholars undertand the critical problems around healthcare. By focusing on the political and private process of healthcare, students will watch a video, analyze issues, and write an essay on their findings. Additionally,...
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2005 USDA Food Guide
In this food pyramid worksheet, 4th graders will answer 6 multiple choice questions about the newest version of the food pyramid (released in 2005), compare and contrast the old and new food guide using a Venn diagram, write a brief...
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Shifting Gears
In this activity, students will write a personal narrative that is designed to help them reflect on the nature and meaning of change in their lives.
Curated OER
How do things flow in and out of a cell?
Students revise thier partner's essay. They also write the second draft of their essay for homework. Students use the Protein Explorer web site to visualize molecules, ATP, DNA, proteins and lipid bilayer. They are able to see all the...
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Rubric Rating
Students develop a rubric or scoring guide to assess newpaper articles. They rate the story and write the reasons for the rating. An Essay Scoring Guide is attached for reference.
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Me, Myself and I
Students explore symbols of their individual identities and write college admissions essays about the meaning of the symbols. They evaluate the unique and common identities of their classmates through participation in a Step Into the...
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What Kind of Vessel Are You?
This is a strange question; but what kind of vessel would you be and why? After examining images of a large Inca jug, the class sets to writing a creative narrative that answers that very interesting question. They start by researching...
Curated OER
State Report Booklet- Worksheet
In this state report booklet set of worksheets, students describe and draw information about the attributes of an assigned state. They write the name of the state symbols, such as the bird, fish, or flag, at the top of the page, and...
Curated OER
Understanding Cause and Effect
Identify the author's organizational pattern for expressing ideas. After reading an article on the California Gold Rush, middle schoolers determine the author's purpose for writing a passage of informational text. A full list of...
Virginia Department of Education
Developing a Research Strategy - Define Your Topic
Your budding scholars spent the day in the library looking for a topic for their research essay, and now they are all in tears because there is too much information available on their topics. Wipe those tears away with the ideas and...
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Natural Resources and Ancient Cities
Students explain how the availability of natural resources has affected human settlement patterns. They recognize the interactions of human populations on environments and compare the growth of two ancient cities in relation to natural...