Browse lesson plans

Formulating questions to meet information needs of ELL students

This is a multi-activity lesson plan to teach the concept of asking engaging, researchable questions prior to reading. This leads to effective inquiries during project or research work in any content area. Using engaging questions creates a sense of connectedness by linking academic contents with students' personal concerns. The lesson is primarily designed for English language learners although it can be adapted for mainstream students. This lesson can also be modified for use with grades 4-8.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Development, Information Skills, and Social Studies)

By Deborah Wilkes, Kristi Triplett, and Karen Waller.

In the spirit of... (museum pre-visit)

This is an integrated unit that focuses on masks in cultures as reflections of individual spirits. In this pre-visit lesson, students will explore the cultures of the Western Hemisphere.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5–6 Visual Arts Education and Social Studies)

By Shannon Kelly.

A living timeline of civil rights

This fifth grade lesson plan is one piece of a civil rights unit. This particular lesson is an opportunity for students to demonstrate knowledge of a specific person or event that occurred during the civil rights movement. The students will share their research with others as they take on the role of a museum artifact.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Social Studies)

By Laurie Lietz.

Native American music: Two North Carolina tribes

In this lesson plan, students will listen to songs from two North Carolina tribes. Students will learn about the music through listening, analyzing, singing, moving, and playing instruments.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Music Education and Social Studies)

By Merritt Raum Flexman.

North Carolina Cherokee Indians: The Trail of Tears

In this two week unit, students will study the Cherokee by participating in literature circles, learning about Native American story telling, writing a letter to Andrew Jackson to protest against the Creek War, and more.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Gina Golden.

Resources on the web

Children's BBC Newsround

A United Kingdom news website with articles about events, arts and science that will be useful to anyone interested in what's happening in the world. Browse thematic picturecollections, play a game, participate in an online opinion poll, or just catch up... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: BBC News

What's it like to live along a national boundary?

In this lesson, students will discuss the concept of boundaries and borders and will investigate the characteristics of the United States-Mexico border. They'll pretend to live on the U.S. side of the border and will write dialogues between themselves and... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions