Create a Superhero is a five-part lesson plan asking students to research a current global issue which impacts them, their family or their community. Based on their research they create a superhero to help solve the issue. The project follows an adapted inquiry model and uses the online tools of G Suite for Education.
Material Type: Lesson Plan
Objective: I can identify and explain the theme of a story.After reading the book Auggie and Me: A Julian Chapter as a class (or having students read it), students are going to work in a group to create a headline for the book that captures the core idea or theme that we want to remember. Then, once they have their headline, on their own, they will take their headline and create an article that explains or supports the headline. Finally, they will work through the writing process to publish their article. *This activity should take 2-3 hours to complete.
Material Type: Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will continue to read, annotate, write about, and discuss “The Things They Carried.”
Material Type: Lesson Plan
Needing a quick book talk lesson for children K-1? Here is a quick lesson that any teacher or substitute could use to fill in some language arts time. This book talk for Go, Dog. Go! P.D. Eastman’s Book of Things That Go by P.D. Eastman will have children following all types of dogs on an adventure to a dog party. Have fun and Enjoy :)
Material Type: Lesson Plan
Zoos give children all over the world the chance to see and learn about wild animals that they would never otherwise get the chance to see. Yet, are these zoos meeting the health and wellness needs of these animals?
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Assessment, Lesson Plan
The study of ancient Greece is vital to the study of all other periods of history, including modern history, in understanding how past enduring influences shape our present. This lesson may be part of a unit on Ancient Greece that covers the major areas of this ancient civilization: geography, architecture, democracy, government, philosophy, Olympics, daily life, Athens, and Sparta. Students will learn about the gods and goddesses, their place of origin, their symbols, and their sanctuaries.
Material Type: Lesson Plan
A checklist in student language used by elementary students to self-assess their biographies.
Material Type: Assessment
The German Nazis were responsible for the systematic killing of millions of Jews. Hitler called it “The Final Solution to the Jewish Problem.” There were concentration camps set up throughout German controlled territories. This seminar will focus on the largest and most notorious camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, located in German-controlled Poland.StandardsCC.1.2.11–12.C - Analyze the interaction and development of a complex set of ideas, sequence of events, or specific individuals over the course of the text.CC.1.2.11–12.I - Analyze foundational U.S. and world documents of historical, political, and literary significance for their themes, purposes, and rhetorical features.
Material Type: Lesson Plan
Rationale - to supplement the study of Langston Hughes’s poetry (especially “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”) and the Harlem Renaissance, students will view and respond to Jonathan Green’s Crash Course lesson about the Harlem Renaissance and Langston Hughes. The Harlem Renaissance mini-unit supplements Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
Material Type: Lesson Plan
In this lesson, students will distinguish the literal and non-literal meanings of verbal and written content in different contexts. The lesson targets adult learners of English who have demonstrated Grades 3- 4 or B-C reading level. Learners will demonstrate an understanding of idioms by using context clues in the sentences to help figure out the meanings of idioms, by drawing out idioms without using words or letters, by giving written tips using idioms, by creating greeting cards, and by using a mobile app to share idioms from other languages
Material Type: Assessment, Diagram/Illustration, Homework/Assignment, Teaching/Learning Strategy
This is an integrated mini-unit in which students explore dystopian literature through the lens of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. It combines math, literature, and social studies with a focus on the First Amendment.
Material Type: Unit of Study
A quick video overview of the CRAAP method for evaluating sources of information
Material Type: Lecture
This lesson teaches children 3 rules on how they can stay safe as they navigate in the internet
Material Type: Lesson Plan
Students will research and present information about an animal.
Material Type: Lesson Plan
This document gives an overview of the library/reading center including description, purpose, materials, questions, considerations and photo examples.
Material Type: Teaching/Learning Strategy
Students will create a tour of 10 of the battles of the American Civil War, justifying why they chose each battle as one of their 10.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Homework/Assignment
Unit OverviewThis unit focuses on the various modes of local, national and world news. Students will read, evaluate and integrate multiple sources of information to gain perspective and understanding of a variety of news events. Through a structured instructional sequence, students will gain knowledge about current news, discuss the events, analyze news sources, identify bias and write brief news articles or reports based on research. The unifying theme, What’s News? will guide students as they discuss the essential question, How does the news influence us?A variety of focus texts and resources are suggested. Depending on your class and available resources, other texts may easily be substituted. Teachers may develop a customized instructional sequence with alternate news articles appropriate to the needs and make-up of the community/school population.It is important teachers prepare fully by reading all resources and consider their students when planning to implement this unit. Time frames may vary depending on the daily amount of instructional time allotted, the student group and the degree of teacher support required for students to meet with success.Teacher Note: The news of today can be very graphic and disturbing. It is important you intentionally select articles and news that do not deal with violence of any kind but that does engage 5th graders. Remember to consciously be aware of this aspect of the news for the general public. Included in this plan are a variety of “kid friendly” news sites to access. You could write a letter to the parents of your class informing them of the unit’s intent and your plan for implementing it. For guidance, watch the TVO video about TKN and Media Literacy video at the bottom of the home page www.teachingkidsnews.com.The lesson models in this unit feature best practices using informational texts to address Common Core State Standards. Included are examples of text dependent questions and sample responses to guide instruction. Students will engage with technology and practice effective listening and speaking skills in collaborative groups to identify key ideas and concepts and to build deeper understanding.Additional Planning and Preparation:Read the entire unit model, associated texts, and resources.Note vocabulary, phrases, concepts, and terminology that may be challenging.Organize the class in groups or pairs for cooperative work and discussion.Access and bookmark web resources your students will use.You many choose to infuse ‘bigger’ questions into discussion such as:What does it take to overcome challenges?How do we face challenges?What kinds of challenges do we face?Are life always challenges necessary to succeed?Universal Design Principles and strategies for English Learners:Organize the class in groups and pairs for discussion and cooperative work.Use multiple modes of presentation to allow acquisition and integration of knowledge and to increase interest and motivation.Offer students choice of tasks and modes of response.Considering using a word processing program or template for students to keep notes such as Google note taking tools.IMPORTANT NOTE: No text model or website referenced in this unit has undergone a formal review. Before using any of these materials, local school systems should conduct a formal approval review to determine their appropriateness. Teachers should always adhere to Acceptable Use Policy enforced by their local school system.Text Models For Lessons and Lesson Seedshttp://teachingkidsnews.comhttps://theconnectedclassroom.wikispaces.com/NewsInterdisciplinary ConnectionsSocial Studies/Geography/Science/Health/Current EventsAdditional ResourcesTeacher ResourcesDaily News at http://www.nwf.orgWashington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/ecologists-track-dc-ospreys-long-journey-home--from-south-america-to-the-anacostia/2014/04/18/78a5dd18-c3fc-11e3-b195-dd0c1174052c_story.htmlPair these three articles – take down nest, bird rebuilds, rebuild, take down, build platform:http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/osprey-nest-blocking-md-traffic-camera-removed/2014/04/19/64623da8-c7fb-11e3-b708-471bae3cb10c_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-installs-nesting-platform-for-osprey/2014/04/24/c4c49eda-cbd8-11e3-b81a-6fff56bc591e_story.htmlhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-considers-nesting-platform-for-ospreys/2014/04/23/b82cf0f0-cb10-11e3-b81a-6fff56bc591e_story.htmlREADWORKShttps://www.readworks.org/passages/new-letter-alphabethttps://www.readworks.org/node/2219 batshttps://www.readworks.org/passages/classical-music-wolfgang-amadeus-mozarthttps://www.readworks.org/passages/cool-be-kind-0https://www.readworks.org/passages/endangered-animals-glancehttps://www.readworks.org/passages/finger-foodhttps://www.readworks.org/passages/homemadehttps://www.readworks.org/passages/meet-soldierScience Fridayhttp://auburnpub.com/science-friday-return-of-the-condor/article_54c3335a-cc67-11e3-acda-001a4bcf887a.htmlTime for Kids https://www.timeforkids.com/NIEhttp://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/http://helenair.com/news/local/th-graders-keep-abreast-of-current-events-school-issues/article_8dad9ea4-cc39-11e3-8e63-001a4bcf887a.htmlhttp://www.nwf.org
Material Type: Lesson Plan
This is a Unit that I created for STEM Lessons. Students love to create Rube Goldberg Machines and they get a much better idea of how simple machines work and what they can do to accomplish work.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Assessment, Reading, Unit of Study
