The Virtual Lesson Plan of the Day

The Purchase of Alaska - This Day, in 1867

2011-03-31T09:55:00.001+02:00

The Alaska Purchase was the acquisition of the Alaska territory by the United States from Russia in 1867 by a treaty ratified by the Senate. The purchase, made at the initiative of United States Secretary of State William H. Seward (treaty signed on March 30, 1867), gained 586,412 square miles (1,518,800 km2) of new United States territory. Originally organized as the Department of Alaska, the area was successively the District of Alaska and the Alaska Territory before becoming the modern state of Alaska upon being admitted to the Union as a state in 1959.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The Purchase of Alaska
Subject: U.S. History
Grade Level: 6-8
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will understand that:
- there was disagreement among the American public regarding the purchase of Alaska
- Alaska has presented both benefits and challenges to the United States.
Materials: Documents, books, articles concerning the United States' purchase of Alaska from the Russians; computers with access to the Internet.
Time Needed: Three 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Discovery Education (Credit: Summer Productions, Inc.)
Link: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/alaska.cfm

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Hollywood Legend Elizabeth Taylor Dies

2011-03-23T10:51:00.001+02:00

Elizabeth Taylor (1932 – 2011) was considered one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age and a two-time winner of the Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Actress. The American Film Institute named Taylor seventh on its Female Legends list.

Best known for her films: National Velvet (1944), A Place in the Sun (1951), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), Cleopatra (1963), Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966), Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967).

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Cleopatra
Subject: Ancient Civilizations
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will understand that:
- Comparing people and ranking them is a difficult challenge.
- People are important to society in many different ways.
Concepts / Vocabulary: Consort, femme fatale, linguist, dysfunctional, inflation, prenuptial, disembarked
Grade Level: 6-8
Materials:Access to a photocopier, biographical reference materials, computers with access to the Internet.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Discovery Education (Credit: Jay Lamb, world history and religion teacher, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Virginia; Sandy Lamb, social studies teacher, Thomas Jefferson High School.)
Link: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/cleopatra.cfm

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Mikhail Gorbachev, best known for Perestroika and Glasnost, was born this day in 1931

2011-03-02T11:06:00.000+02:00

Perestroika (reconstruction) was a political movement within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union during 1980s, widely associated with the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev referring to the restructuring of the Soviet political and economic system.

Glasnost (openness) was the policy of maximal publicity, openness, and transparency in the activities of all government institutions in the Soviet Union, together with freedom of information, introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the second half of the 1980s.

Gorbachev's attempts at reform as well as summit conferences with United States President Ronald Reagan and his reorientation of Soviet strategic aims contributed to the end of the Cold War, ended the political supremacy of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), and led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: “The Sinews of Peace” and the Cold War
Subject: World History / US History/ European History
Objectives: Students will identify the key ideas and themes in several important speeches of the Cold War era by Winston Churchill, Joseph Stalin, Harry Truman, the Berlin Airlift, John F. Kennedy, Mikhail Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan
Grade Level: 9-12
Materials: Computers with access to the Internet.
Time Needed: Five 50-minute class periods
Provided by: TeachingAmericanHistory.org (Author: Amanda S. Rowcliffe, Webb School of Knoxville)
Link: http://teachingamericanhistory.org/churchill/lessonplans/rowcliffe.doc

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George Washington, the first president of the United States, was born this day in 1732

2011-02-22T10:44:00.002+02:00

George Washington (1732 – 1799) was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander in chief of the Continental Army in 1775–1783, and he presided over the writing of the Constitution in 1787. As the unanimous choice to serve as the first President of the United States (1789–1797), he developed the forms and rituals of government that have been used ever since, such as using a cabinet system and delivering an inaugural address. As President, he built a strong, well-financed national government that avoided war, suppressed rebellion and won acceptance among Americans of all types, and Washington is now known as the "Father of his country".

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The Making Of Our First President
Subject: U.S. History
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will understand how General Washington's early military career influenced the making of George Washington the president.
Concepts / Vocabulary: edict, skirmish, squire, terrain, ultimatum
Grade Level: 9-12
Materials: Reference materials of Washington's early military experience; computers with access to the Internet.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Discovery Education (Credit: Summer Productions, Inc.)
Link: http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/the-making-of-our-first-president.cfm

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James Joyce was born this day in 1882

2011-02-02T10:33:00.000+02:00

James Joyce (1882 – 1941) was an Irish novelist and poet, considered to be one of the most influential writers in the modernist avant-garde of the early 20th century. Joyce is best known for Ulysses (1922), a landmark novel which perfected his stream of consciousness technique and combined nearly every literary device available in a modern re-telling of The Odyssey. Other major works are the short-story collection Dubliners (1914), and the novels A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916) and Finnegans Wake (1939), and his complete oeuvre includes three books of poetry, a play, occasional journalism, and his published letters.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Writing Lyric Poetry
Subject: English / Language Arts
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Read and discuss the poem
- Recall and interpret facts and extend meanings
- Respond to critical opinion about the poem
- Analyze lyric poetry and the use of stylistic devices in a poem
Grade Level: 9-12
Materials: The poems: "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" by William Wordworth , "I Hear an Army" by James Joyce, "The Sky is Low" by Emily Dickinson, "I Hear America Singing" by Walt Whitman, "Women" by Alice Walker, "maggie and milly and molly and may" by E.E. Cumming, "Dream Deferred"& "Dreams" by Langston Hughes.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: SchoolLink (Author: B. Wu, Murry Bergtraum HS, New York, NY)
Link: http://www.schoollink.org/csd/pages/engl/lyricpoe.html

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Winston Churchill, known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the World War II, died this day in 1965

2011-01-24T14:49:00.000+02:00

Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill (1874 – 1965) was a British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War (WWII) and is widely regarded as one of the great wartime leaders.

Following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain on 10 May 1940, Churchill became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. His steadfast refusal to consider defeat, surrender or a compromise peace helped inspire British resistance, especially during the difficult early days of the War when Britain stood alone in its active opposition to Hitler. Churchill was particularly noted for his speeches and radio broadcasts, which helped inspire the British people and the embattled Allied forces. He led Britain as Prime Minister until victory had been secured over Nazi Germany.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Churchill's Wartime Speeches: 1940-1941
Subject: History / World War II
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will understand:
- how did Winston Churchill, through his speeches, contribute to the formation of a collective British resolve to continue fighting during the critical time period when Britain was alone in fighting Germany?
Grade Level: 9-12
Materials: Computers with access to the Internet.
Handouts: Winston Churchill's speeches
Time Needed: Three class periods
Provided by: WinstonChurchill.org (Author: Jannette R. Milligan, Thomas Worthington High School, Worthington, OH)
Link: http://www.winstonchurchill.org/images/pdfs/for_educators/milligan-churchills%20wartime%20speeches%20.pdf

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Charlie Chaplin, one of the most important figures in motion-picture history, died on this day in 1977.

2010-12-25T11:33:00.002+02:00

Charlie Chaplin (1889 – 1977) was an English comic actor and film director of the silent film era. He became one of the best-known film stars in the world before the end of the First World War. Chaplin used mime, slapstick and other visual comedy routines, and continued well into the era of the talkies, though his films decreased in frequency from the end of the 1920s. His most famous role was that of The Tramp, Charlie Chaplin's most memorable on-screen character, a recognized icon of world cinema.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The Kid (Produced and Directed by Charlie Chaplin)
Subject: Language Arts / English films
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will:
Acquire cultural awareness and linguistic skills (possible English-Spanish coordinated activity).
Concepts / Vocabulary: Abandoned child, orphane, limousine, a tramp, silent movie, comedy, drama, poverty.
Grade Level: 4-8
Time Needed: One 50-minute class period
Provided by: Teaching English Net
Link: http://www.ten.edu.uy/IMG/pdf/Chaplin-The_Kid.pdf

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Slavery was abolished in the United States, on this day, in 1865

2010-12-18T10:38:00.002+02:00

Slavery in the United States was a form of unfree labor which existed as a legal institution in North America for more than a century before the founding of the United States in 1776, and continued mostly in the South until the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution on December 18 1865.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Abolishing Slavery in America
Subject: US History
Objectives: Students will:
- Learn what happened aboard the slave vessels Zong and Amistad.
- Consider what each incident reveals about views of slavery in Great Britain and the United States.
Concepts / Vocabulary: John Quincy Adams, Amistad, Cinque, Luke Collingwood, slavery
Grade Level: 9-12
Materials: Abolishing Slavery in America program, computers with access to the Internet.
Time Needed: Three 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Discovery Education
Link: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/abolishingSlavery/

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The United States Bill of Rights came into effect, on this day, 219 years ago

2010-12-15T10:14:00.000+02:00

The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. They were introduced by James Madison to the First United States Congress in 1789 as a series of legislative articles, and came into effect as Constitutional Amendments on December 15, 1791, through the process of ratification by three-fourths of the States.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Bill of Rights
Subject: Government / US History
Objectives: Students will:
- identify freedoms afforded by the Bill of Rights.
- explain how the government protects individual rights.
- analyze the importance of freedom of the press.
Concepts / Vocabulary: Bill of Rights, amendments, freedom, civics, government
Grade Level: 9-12
Materials: computers with access to the Internet.
Handouts: Worksheet
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Education World (Author: Adam Burkett, a student at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.)
Year: 2004
Link: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tsl/archives/04-1/lesson012.shtml

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John Lennon, best known as one of the founding members of The Beatles, was fatally shot 30 years ago

2010-12-08T10:18:00.002+02:00

John Lennon (1940 – 1980) was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Along with fellow Beatle Paul McCartney, he formed one of the most successful songwriting partnerships of the 20th century.

Born and raised in Liverpool, Lennon became involved as a teenager in the skiffle craze; his first band, The Quarrymen, evolved into The Beatles in 1960. As the group disintegrated towards the end of the decade, Lennon embarked on a solo career that produced the critically acclaimed albums John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band and Imagine, and iconic songs such as Give Peace a Chance and Imagine. He moved to New York City in 1971, where his criticism of the Vietnam War resulted in a lengthy attempt by Richard Nixon's administration to deport him, while his songs were adopted as anthems by the anti-war movement.

Lennon disengaged himself from the music business in 1975 to devote time to his family, but re-emerged in 1980 with a new album, Double Fantasy. He was murdered three weeks after its release, on 8 December 1980.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: John Lennon’s Imagine and the Vietnam War
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will:
- understand to what extent the song Imagine is about the Vietnam War and how strongly John Lennon was opposed to it.
- communicate about Imagine in English.
- enrich English language vocabulary.
Concepts / Vocabulary: Vietnam War
Grade Level: 10-12
Subject: ESL / English / Language Arts
Materials: John Lennon's - Imagine, computers with access to the Internet.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Nelly Thomas
Link: http://nellythomas.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/an-example-of-a-lesson-plan.pdf

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Mark Twain, best known for The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, was born 175 years ago

2010-11-30T10:41:00.001+02:00

Samuel Langhorne Clemens (1835 – 1910) known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist. He is noted for his novels Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1885), called "the Great American Novel", and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876). Twain was a friend to presidents, artists, industrialists, and European royalty.

Twain was popular, and his wit and satire earned praise from critics and peers. Upon his death he was lauded as the "greatest American humorist of his age", and William Faulkner called Twain "the father of American literature".

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Mark Twain and the American West
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will:
- understand the distinctively American voice of Mark Twain;
- see how Twain's writing was molded by his adventures in the American West and how his work has since shaped our perceptions of the West;
- understand the rapid Westward expansion of America in the 19th century.
Grade Level: 8-12
Subject: Language Arts / History
Materials: Copies of Mark Twain's Roughing It, computers with access to the Internet.
Time Needed: Up to three class periods
Provided by: PBS (Author: Joan Brodsky Schur, Village Community School in New York City)
Link: http://www.pbs.org/weta/thewest/lesson_plans/lesson02.htm

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Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species Was Published 151 Years Ago

2010-11-24T10:34:00.000+02:00

Charles Darwin (1809 – 1882) was an English naturalist who established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection. He published his theory with compelling evidence for evolution in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species. The scientific community and much of the general public came to accept evolution as a fact in his lifetime, but it was not until the emergence of the modern evolutionary synthesis from the 1930s to the 1950s that a broad consensus developed that natural selection was the basic mechanism of evolution. In modified form, Darwin's scientific discovery is the unifying theory of the life sciences, explaining the diversity of life.

Darwin's theory is simply stated in the introduction of his book: "As many more individuals of each species are born than can possibly survive; and as, consequently, there is a frequently recurring struggle for existence, it follows that any being, if it vary however slightly in any manner profitable to itself, under the complex and sometimes varying conditions of life, will have a better chance of surviving, and thus be naturally selected. From the strong principle of inheritance, any selected variety will tend to propagate its new and modified form."

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Evolution
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will understand that:
- Darwin's theory of evolution (1859) has been accepted but also debated.
- Many scientists—botanist, zoologists, geologists, geneticists—have contributed to the study of evolution.
Concepts / Vocabulary: naturalist, evolution, natural selection, heredity, artificial selection, mutate, sociobiology, genetic code, eugenics.
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: Biology / Animals
Materials: Reference materials about the history of evolution, computers with access to the Internet; roll paper, rulers, index cards.
Time Needed: Two class periods
Provided by: Discovery Education (Author: Lisa Lyle Wu, science teacher, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Alexandria, Virginia.)
Link: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/greatbooks-originofspecies/

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The U.S. Congress Held Its First Session in Washington, D.C., 210 Years Ago

2010-11-17T10:42:00.000+02:00

A few milestones:

First Continental Congress - September 5, 1774
Second Continental Congress - May 10, 1775
Articles of Confederation - March, 1781
Constitutional Convention - May 25 to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia
U.S. Congress held its first session in Washington, D.C. - November 17, 1800

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Congressional Committees and the Legislative Process
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will:
- understand the legislative process of the United States Congress;
- examine the role that Congressional committees play in legislative process.
Concepts / Vocabulary: Standing Committee, Select Committee, Joint Committee, Conference Committee, written comment, hearing, markup, report.
Grade Level: 10-12
Subject: U.S. History - Civics and U.S. Government
Time Needed: Two to three class periods
Provided by: EDSITEment
Year: 2002
Link: http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=284

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Dylan Thomas, the Welsh Poet and Prose Writer, Died on this Day in 1953

2010-11-11T09:32:00.001+02:00

Dylan Marlais Thomas (1914 – 1953) was a Welsh poet and writer who wrote exclusively in English. In addition to poetry, he wrote short stories and scripts for film and radio, which he often performed himself. His public readings, particularly in America, won him great acclaim; his sonorous voice with a subtle Welsh lilt became almost as famous as his works. His best-known works include the A Play for Voices, Under Milk Wood and the celebrated villanelle for his dying father, Do not go gentle into that good night. Appreciative critics have also noted the superb craftsmanship and compression of poems such as In my Craft or Sullen Art and the rhapsodic lyricism of Fern Hill. Died of an alcohol overdose.

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Lesson Plan Information
Title: Death in Poetry: A.E. Housman’s To an Athlete Dying Young and Dylan Thomas’ Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will understand:
- how do Housman and Thomas present death in their poems
- common poetic devices, such as rhyme and sound
- and recognize the poetic forms of elegy and villanelle
Grade Level: 10-12
Subject: Literature and Language Arts
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: EDSITEment
Year: 2006
Link: http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=695

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The tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamen is discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter

2010-11-04T11:50:00.003+02:00

Howard Carter (1874 – 1939) was an English archaeologist and Egyptologist, noted as a primary discoverer of the tomb of Tutankhamun. He was financially backed by Lord Carnarvon.

On 4 November 1922, Carter's water carrier found the steps leading to Tutankhamun's tomb, by far the best preserved and most intact pharaonic tomb ever found in the Valley of the Kings. Carter made the famous "tiny breach in the top left hand corner" of the doorway, and was able to peer in by the light of a candle and see that many of the gold and ebony treasures were still in place. He did not yet know at that point whether it was "a tomb or merely a cache", but he did see a promising sealed doorway between two sentinel statues.

On 16 February 1923, Carter opened the sealed doorway, and found that it did indeed lead to a burial chamber, and he got his first glimpse of the sarcophagus of Tutankhamun.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: King Tut's Treasures
Objectives:
- explore how artifacts found in an ancient Egyptian tombs can be used to paint a picture of daily life in ancient Egypt;
- compare modern "artifacts" to those of ancient Egypt.
Grade Level: K-2
Subject: Geography, world history, anthropology
Materials: Globe or world map or Africa map, computers with Internet access, overhead projector
Handouts: Worksheet
Time Needed: Three to four hours
Provided by: National Geographic Society
Link: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/06/gk2/kingtut.html

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Pablo Picasso, the Creator of Guernica, was born in 1881

2010-10-28T10:23:00.002+02:00

Pablo Ruiz Picasso (1881 – 1973) was a Spanish painter, draftsman, and sculptor who lived most of his adult life in France. He is best known for co-founding the Cubist movement and for the wide variety of styles embodied in his work. Among his most famous works are the proto-Cubist Les Demoiselles d'Avignon (1907) and Guernica (1937), his portrayal of the German bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title:Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse: Art and Life.
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will:
- understand how the artwork of Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso evolved throughout their lives.
- compare and contrast the works of the two artists at different periods in their lives.
Concepts / Vocabulary: Abstract Expressionism, Cubism, Impressionist, medium, palette.
Grade Level: 10-12
Subject: Fine Arts
Materials: Masters of Colorvideo, computers with Internet access, color printer.
Time Needed: 2 class periods
Provided by: Discovery Education
Link: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/da_mastersofcolor/

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The Saturday Night Massacre, 1973

2010-10-21T10:16:00.000+02:00

The Saturday Night Massacre was the term given by political commentators to U.S. President Richard Nixon's executive dismissal of independent special prosecutor Archibald Cox, and the resignations of Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus on October 20, 1973 during the Watergate scandal.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The Watergate Crisis
Objectives: Students will:
- discuss the events of the Watergate crisis;
- conduct an interview with a Watergate-era adult and present a summary of the interview.
Concepts / Vocabulary: Watergate, Deep Throat, resign, scandal
Grade Level: 8-12
Subject: Contemporary U.S. History
Materials: Computers with Internet access, print resources about Watergate, audio or video recorder.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Discovery Education (Author: Joy Brewster, curriculum writer, editor, and consultant)
Link: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/watergate/

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The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2010 was awarded to Robert G. Edwards "for the development of in vitro fertilization".

2010-10-14T10:35:00.000+02:00

Robert Geoffrey Edwards (born 1925) is a British biologist and pioneer in reproductive biology and medicine, and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in particular. Along with surgeon Patrick Steptoe (1913 – 1988), Edwards successfully pioneered conception through IVF, which led to the birth of the first test-tube baby, Louise Brown, on 25 July 1978.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: In Vitro Fertilization
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will:
- understand the in vitro fertilization science
- understand the in vitro fertilization physiological, ethical, and legal implication.
Concepts / Vocabulary: egg, fertility drug, fertilization, hormone, implantation, menstrual cycle, ovary, ovulation, sperm, zygote.
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: Life Sciences / Contemporary Studies
Materials: Science textbooks on the menstrual cycle, reproduction, infertility, and fertility treatments; computers with Internet access
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Discovery Education (Author: Donna Clem, biology teacher, Aberdeen High School, Aberdeen, Maryland.)
Link: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/invitro/

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Alfred, Lord Tennyson, The great English poet of the Victorian Age, died 118 years ago

2010-10-06T11:19:00.002+02:00

Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809 – 1892) was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom during much of Queen Victoria's reign and remains one of the most popular poets in the English language.

Best known for his short poems In the valley of Cauteretz, Break, Break, Break, The Charge of the Light Brigade, Tears, Idle Tears and Crossing the Bar.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Objectives::
- Critical opinion about the poem
- The use of repetition and metaphor in the poem
- Themes: courage and honor; leaders and followers
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: English Literature
Materials: The poem: The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: SchoolLink (Author: B. Wu, Murry Bergtraum HS, New York, NY)
Link: http://www.schoollink.org/csd/pages/engl/narrativ.html

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Magna Carta Was Sealed by King John, on this day, in 1215

2010-06-17T09:25:00.000+03:00

Magna Carta, is an English legal charter, originally issued in the year 1215 by King John of England. It was written in Latin and is known by its Latin name. The usual English translation of Magna Carta is Great Charter.

Magna Carta required King John of England to proclaim certain rights (pertaining to freemen), respect certain legal procedures, and accept that his will could be bound by the law. It explicitly protected certain rights of the King's subjects, whether free or fettered — and implicitly supported what became the writ of habeas corpus, allowing appeal against unlawful imprisonment.

Magna Carta was the first document forced onto an English King by a group of his subjects (the barons) in an attempt to limit his powers by law and protect their privileges.

Magna Carta was arguably the most significant early influence on the extensive historical process that led to the rule of constitutional law today in the English speaking world. Magna Carta influenced the development of the common law and many constitutional documents, including the United States Constitution.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Magna Carta: Cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will understand:
- why the rule of law is necessary in a free and democratic society.
- the relationship between Magna Carta and the evolution of constitutional government.
- how the Magna Carta was used to justify independence from Great Britain.
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: U.S. History / Civics
Handouts: Worksheets, activities and background information.
Time Needed: Three class periods
Provided by: EDSITEment (Author: Christine L. Compston, Bellingham, WA)
Year: 2007
Link: http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=737

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Johnny Weissmuller, Best Known as Tarzan, Was Born

2010-06-02T10:59:00.002+03:00

Johnny Weissmuller (1904 -1984) was a Romanian-born American swimmer and actor. Weissmuller was one of the world's best swimmers in the 1920s, winning five Olympic gold medals and one bronze medal. He won fifty-two US National Championships and set sixty-seven world records. After his swimming career, he became the sixth actor to portray Tarzan in films, a role he played in twelve motion pictures. Dozens of other actors have also played Tarzan, but Weissmuller is by far the best known. His character's distinctive, ululating Tarzan yell is still often used in films.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Trashin' the Camp, AABA Song Form, with Tarzan
Objectives: Students will demonstrate an understanding of AABA song form through dance and Tarzan yells.
Concepts / Vocabulary: AABA song form
Grade Level: K-12
Subject: Music
Materials: Trashin' the Camp sound recording from Disney's Animated Feature Tarzan
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Wave Music Studio
Year: 2008
Link: http://www.makingmusicfun.net/htm/f_mmf_music_library/trashin-the-camp-music-classroom-lesson.htm

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Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the Inventor of Sherlock Holmes, Was Born

2010-05-22T09:19:00.000+03:00

Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle (1859 – 1930) was a Scottish physician and writer, most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, which are generally considered a major innovation in the field of crime fiction, and for the adventures of Professor Challenger. He was a prolific writer whose other works include science fiction stories, historical novels, plays and romances, poetry, and non-fiction.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Sherlock Holmes: Teaching English Through Detective Fiction
Objectives: Teaching English to low level students through the study of Arthur Conan Doyle’s short stories featuring the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes.
Grade Level: 9 (adaptable)
Subject: English / Language Arts/ Literature
Materials: Sherlock Holmes' films
Handouts: Questions for The Adventure of the Speckled Band.
Time Needed: As needed.
Provided by: Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute (Author: Pamela J. Greene)
Link: http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1989/4/89.04.04.x.html

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Salvador Dalí, the Painter of The Persistence of Memory, Was Born

2010-05-11T09:46:00.002+03:00

Salvador Dalí (1904 – 1989) was a prominent Spanish Catalan surrealist painter. Dalí was a skilled draftsman, best known for the striking and bizarre images in his surrealist work. His painterly skills are often attributed to the influence of Renaissance masters. His best-known work, The Persistence of Memory, was completed in 1931. Dalí's expansive artistic repertoire includes film, sculpture, and photography, in collaboration with a range of artists in a variety of media.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Drawing with Dali - Persistence of Memory
Objectives: Introduce surrealistic art movement through the artwork of Salvador Dali.
Concepts / Vocabulary: Surrealism
Grade Level: 5
Subject: Art history
Materials: Dali's print of The Persistence of Memory, Colored pencils, erasers, markers, white drawing paper.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: A Lifetime of Color
Link: http://www.alifetimeofcolor.com/main.taf?p=1,7

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William Shakespeare Died this Day in 1616

2010-04-23T16:19:00.001+03:00

William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616) was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon". His surviving works, including some collaborations, consist of 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: A New Look at Romeo and Juliet
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will learn:
- about the history of the English language and life during Shakespeare's time;
- to use various methods of research to learn about Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet;
- how Shakespeare's life and times affected his writing;
- how Shakespeare's plays can still apply to our lives and times today.
Grade Level: 9
Subject: English / Language Arts / Literature
Materials: Student copies of Romeo and Juliet; computers with access to the Internet.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators (LACUE); author: Tracy Jordan
Link: http://www.lacue.org/conference/lessons/RomeoandJuliet.doc

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Adolf Hitler, the man behind World War II and the Holocaust atrocities, was born on this day, 121 years ago

2010-04-20T15:32:00.000+03:00

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The Rise of Adolf Hitler to Power
Objectives: Students will understand how and why Hitler was able to come to power.
Grade Level: 9
Subject: Hitler and Nazi Germany
Materials: Access to the Internet
Handouts: http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/hitler
Time Needed: One class periods
Provided by: SchoolHistory.co.uk
Link: http://www.schoolhistory.co.uk/lessons/riseofhitler/teacher_notes.htm

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NATO was formed, this day, 61 years ago

2010-04-04T14:29:00.003+03:00

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) is an intergovernmental military alliance signed on 4 April 1949.

NATO headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium, and the organization constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party.

NATO was founded by the western powers in order to counter the military power of the USSR in general and the Soviet Berlin Blockade in particular.

The twelve founding members of NATO were: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom, United States.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The Role of NATO
Objectives: students will understand:
- the political atmosphere of post-World War II Europe and the U.S. foreign policy of containment;
- the critical events that occurred prior to the formation of NATO;
- the countries that formed the Warsaw Pact and the NATO alliance.
Concepts / Vocabulary: alliance, arms race, blockade, cold war, containment, occupation
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: US history / European history
Materials: access to the Internet, a map of post-World War II Europe
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Discovery Education (Author: George Cassutto)
Link: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/nato/

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The British North America Act was signed by Queen Victoria on March 29, 1867

2010-03-29T11:17:00.001+03:00

The Constitution Act, 1867 (formerly called the British North America Act, 1867, and still known informally as the BNA Act), is a major part of Canada's Constitution. The Act created a federal dominion and defines much of the operation of the Government of Canada, including its federal structure, the House of Commons, the Senate, the justice system, and the taxation system. The British North America Acts, including this Act, were renamed in 1982 with the patriation of the constitution (originally enacted by the British Parliament), however it is still known by its original name in United Kingdom records. Amendments were also made at this time: section 92A was added, giving provinces greater control over non-renewable natural resources.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Canada's Constitution Challenge
Objectives::
- the differences between the British North America Act of 1867 and the Constitution Act of 1982.
- students design and build a game based on facts about the Canadian government.
Grade Level: 4-6, 7-12
Subject: Canadian history / visual arts
Materials: Colored pencils, markers, scissors
Time Needed: Multiple Sessions
Provided by: Crayola
Link: http://www.crayola.com/lesson-plans/detail/canada's-constitution-challenge-lesson-plan

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Houdini, One of the Greatest Magicians Ever, Was Born

2010-03-24T09:33:00.001+02:00

Harry Houdini (1874 - 1926), born Erik Weisz, was a Hungarian American magician and escapologist, stunt performer, actor and film producer. He was also a skeptic who set out to expose frauds purporting to be supernatural phenomena.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The Magician's Apprentice
Objectives: students will:
- follow instructions to perform a magic trick
- assess the instructions with a rubric
- teach a fellow student how to perform the magic trick.
Concepts / Vocabulary: following directions, magic, trick, rubric
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Subject: Arts & Humanities
Materials: Internet access, coins, handkerchiefs, straws, construction paper, pencils, scissors, glue, carrots, toothpicks.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Education World (Author: Cara Bafile)
Link: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/02/lp275-03.shtml

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Michelangelo, Who Painted the Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Was Born

2010-03-06T09:12:00.002+02:00

Michelangelo (1475 - 1564) was an Italian Renaissance painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and engineer. Despite making few forays beyond the arts, his versatility in the disciplines he took up was of such a high order that he is often considered a contender for the title of the archetypal Renaissance man, along with his rival and fellow Italian Leonardo da Vinci.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Michelangelo Art
Objectives: Students will learn about the artist Michelangelo and what it was like to paint the Sistine Chapel.
Grade Level: 2-6
Subject: Art, Social Studies
Materials: Paper, Tape, Crayons, Markers, Paint, Brushes, desks, colored pencils etc.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Hotchalk - The Lesson Plans Page (Author: Audrey)
Link: http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ArtSSMichelangeloSistineChapel26.htm

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Victor Hugo, the Author of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and Les Misérables, Was Born

2010-02-26T10:18:00.001+02:00

Victor-Marie Hugo (1802 – 1885) was the most important writer of the Romantic movement in France.

Best known for the novels Les Misérables and Notre-Dame de Paris (known in English also as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame).

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Martin Luther's Reformation in Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Objectives: Students will:
- Compare Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” to satirical elements in Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
- Demonstrate ways in which modern society reflects the concerns of both Hugo and Luther.
- Write a letter to the editor about contemporary abuse of power.
Grade Level: 9
Subject: English Language Arts / Social Studies
Time Needed: Four 50-minute class periods
Provided by: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Author: Nancy Webber)
Link: http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/3490

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Valentine's Day - Conversation Hearts Lesson Plan

2010-02-14T09:11:00.001+02:00

Saint Valentine's Day (commonly shortened to Valentine's Day) is an annual holiday held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The holiday is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines").

Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline (conversation hearts), doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Conversation Hearts Ratio Graphing Activity
Objectives:
- create a tally chart to count the different colors of conversation hearts.
- graph a ratio between two colored hearts.
Concepts / Vocabulary: Valentine's Day, conversation hearts, tally chart, ratio
Grade Level: 5
Subject: Valentine's Day / Math
Materials: Different color conversation hearts.
Time Needed: One 50-minute class periods
Provided by: HotChalk (Author: Patty)
Link: http://www.lessonplanspage.com/OMathValentinesDayConversationHeartRatioGraphingActivity5.htm

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Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870) Was Born

2010-02-07T09:07:00.002+02:00

Charles Dickens is considered by many the greatest Victorian-era novelist - best known for his A Christmas Carol, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations.

- Britannica

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Philanthropy in A Christmas Carol
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will:
- analyze Charles Dickens’ writing as a product of his personal experiences.
- identify and explain the theme of philanthropy in A Christmas Carol.
Concepts / Vocabulary: mood, theme, climax, symbolism.
Grade Level: Middle school, grades 6-8
Subject: Language Arts
Materials: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens; A Christmas Carol (video ) with George C. Scott
Handouts: 7 teacher aids regarding A Christmas Carol
Time Needed: Thirteen Forty-Five Minute Class Periods
Provided by: Learning To Give (Author: Janice Ubels, Hudsonville Christian Schools)
Link: http://learningtogive.org/lessons/unit10/lesson3.html

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Cancer Day 2010

2010-02-04T10:08:00.002+02:00

Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood).

These three malignant properties of cancers differentiate them from benign tumors, which are self-limited, and do not invade or metastasize.

Most cancers form a tumor but some, like leukemia, do not. The branch of medicine concerned with the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cancer is oncology.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Cancer Research
Objectives: Students will understand:
- current statistics on the incidence of cancer,
- basic information about cancer including types, causes, treatments and prognosis,
- cancer research - the need and the human and financial cost.
Grade Level: High School, Grades 9-12
Subject: Medicine
Materials: Internet access; Power Point software.
Time Needed: Two 90-minute periods
Provided by: PBS & MacNeil-Lehrer Productions
Year: 2002
Link: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/health/cancer.html

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Vietnam War Ended

2010-01-27T09:20:00.001+02:00

The Vietnam War was a Cold War military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from September 1959 to April 1975 when the last U.S. Marines were evacuated from the US embassy in Saigon by helicopter.

The war was fought between the communist North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of South Vietnam, supported by the United States and other anti-communist nations.

The Paris Peace Accords on "Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam" were signed on 27 January 1973, officially ending direct U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

The main negotiators of the agreement were United States National Security Advisor Dr. Henry Kissinger and Vietnamese politburo member Le Duc Tho; the two men were awarded the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts, although Tho refused to accept it.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Opposing Views on the Vietnam War
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will understand:

Richard Nixon’s policies concerning the Vietnam War,

the main arguments of Vietnam veterans against the war,

Civilian different opinions regarding the war.

Vocabulary: Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, My Lai massacre, precipitate withdrawal, Viet Cong, Vietnamization.
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: U.S. History
Materials: Access to the Internet; classroom activity sheets: comparing arguments, interview questions
Time Needed: Two class periods
Provided by: Lesson Plan Library (Author: Betsy Hedberg, freelance curriculum writer and teacher.)
Year: 2008
Link: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/vietnam/

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Edgar Allan Poe, Father of Detective Fiction, Was Born

2010-01-19T08:43:00.004+02:00

Edgar Allan Poe (1809 – 1849) was an American writer. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective-fiction genre.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Edgar Allan Poe - the Father of Detective Fiction
Objectives: Compare and understand the stories: "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe with "The Second Bullet" by Anna Katharine Green.
Grade Level: High school
Subject: Literature
Materials: Two short passages
Time Needed: 1 Hour
Provided by: Local School Directory
Link: http://www.localschooldirectory.com/lesson-plans/id/60

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Sitting Bull (1831 - 1890) Was Killed by US Troops

2009-12-15T10:02:00.001+02:00

Sitting Bull was A Dakota Sioux Indian chief. Best Known for the Battle of the Little Bighorn victory, where US general George Armstrong Custer was defeated and killed on June 25, 1876.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The Battle of Little Bighorn: An Interpretation of an Historical Event
Objectives:
Understand the causes of the Battle of the Little Bighorn; and
suggest how to commemorate the events of June 25, 1876.
Grade Level: High School
Subject: American / Native American History
Handouts: Resource sheets, Native American perspective images
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History (Author: Bruce Lesh)
Link: http://www.historynow.org/09_2006/lp2.html

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World AIDS Day 2009 Lesson Plan

2009-12-01T10:49:00.002+02:00

World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. It is common to hold memorials to honor persons who have died from HIV/AIDS on this day. Government and health officials also observe the event, often with speeches or forums on the AIDS topics. Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day. Governments of other nations have followed suit and issued similar announcements.

The theme of World AIDS Day 2009 is "Universal Access and Human Rights".

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: AIDS Today: Background, Activities and Critical Analysis
Objectives: To understand the following topics: AIDS and discrimination, AIDS epidemic, HIV infection, HIV prevention.
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: HIV-AIDS, health policy
Materials: Access to the Internet, Word processing and printer.
Time Needed: Two 90-minute periods
Provided by: PBS, by By Deborah R. Schoeberlein, RAD Educational Programs
Link: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/lessonplans/health/aids/

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Thanksgiving 2009 Lesson Plan

2009-11-26T10:07:00.003+02:00

Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day, presently celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, has been an annual tradition in the United States since 1863. Thanksgiving was historically a religious observation to give thanks to God, but was established as a secular federal holiday in 1941.

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated, in 1621, to give thanks to God for helping the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony (today Plymouth, Massachusetts) survive the brutal winter. The first Thanksgiving feast lasted three days providing enough food for 53 pilgrims and 90 Native Americans. The feast consisted of fowl, venison, fish, lobster, clams, berries, fruit, pumpkin, and squash. William Bradford's (Plymouth governor) note that, "besides waterfowl, there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many," probably gave rise to the American tradition of turkey at Thanksgiving.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: What happend at the "First Thanksgiving"?
Objectives:To understand:
- the facts and myths that surround the First Thanksgiving in 1621 at Plimoth Colony.
- historical research methods
Concepts: Thanksgiving, colony, Pilgrims, Plimoth, Plymouth, Wampanoag
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Subject: U.S. History / Holidays
Materials: Access to the Internet.
Handouts: "Investigating the First Thanksgiving" Quiz
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: EducationWorld.com, Submitted by Gary Hopkins
Link: http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/dailylp/dailylp/dailylp029.shtml

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John F. Kennedy was Assassinated - November 22, 1963

2009-11-22T11:09:00.001+02:00

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The life and times of president John F. Kennedy
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will:
- Understand the values that Joseph and Rose Kennedy instilled in their children.
- Identify reasons why we remember JFK today.
- Consider the effects of family culture, environment and community on personality.
Grade Level: 6-12
Subject: US history 20th Century
Handouts: Map of John F. Kennedy National Historic Site in Brookline, Massachusetts; readings; photographs; health document.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: U.S. National Park Service
Link: http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/33jfk/33jfk.htm

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Abraham Lincoln Was Elected President of the United States - November 6, 1860

2009-11-06T10:52:00.000+02:00

Abraham Lincoln successfully led his country through its greatest internal crisis, the American Civil War, preserving the Union and ending slavery.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Abraham Lincoln on Slavery and Race
Objectives: Students will:
- examine letters and speeches of Abraham Lincoln in order to understand Lincoln’s position on slavery.
- understand the connection between the historical context and Lincoln’s views.
- understand the influence of race on politics in the antebellum era.
Grade Level: High School, Grades 10-12
Subject: American History / Social Sciences
Materials: Access to the Internet.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: History Now (Author: Roberta McCutcheon)
Link: http://www.historynow.org/12_2005/lp1.html

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Halloween 2009 Lesson Plan

2009-10-31T09:20:00.000+02:00

Halloween is an annual holiday celebrated on October 31. It has roots in the Celtic tradition and the Christian holy day of All Saints, but is today largely a secular celebration. Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and attending costume parties, carving jack-o'-lanterns, ghost tours, bonfires, visiting haunted attractions, pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The History of Halloween
Objectives: Students will learn about the origins of the Halloween holiday.
Concepts / Vocabulary: Relic, Secular
Grade Level: 6-9
Subject: Social Studies / Holidays
Materials: Plastic bowls, Halloween stuffed animals and figures, peeled grapes, a head of cabbage, a big carrot, Halloween candy, Halloween scary music and a stereo.
Handouts: History of Halloween flowchart, ghost story.
Time Needed: 45 minutes
Provided by: Educator's Reference Desk (Author: Tiffany Bender)
Year: 2002
Link: http://www.eduref.org/Virtual/Lessons/Social_Studies/Holidays/SSH0201.html

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Jonathan Swift, The author of Gulliver's Travels, Died

2009-10-19T09:30:00.002+02:00

Jonathan Swift (1667 – 1745) was a prominent Anglo-Irish satirist, best known for his famed novel Gulliver's Travels.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Gulliver's Travels
Objectives: Students will understand Jonathan Swift's, and other authors', attitude towards undesirable outcomes of advances in science.
Vocabulary: abstraction, bizarre, nepotism, perspective, satirist
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: Literature
Materials: Poster or display board, markers, glue, paste, tape; biographical reference works about writers.
Time Needed: Two class periods
Provided by: Discovery Education, authors: Kirsten Rooks and Mary McLean
Link: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/gulliver/#

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Columbus Day 2009 Lesson Plan

2009-10-12T09:38:00.000+02:00

Columbus Day is the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Columbus Day (Native American Perspective)
Objectives: Students will:
- recognize how Columbus' discoveries effected the Native Americans.
- write a story about Columbus' first step on American ground from the Native American point of view.
Grade Level: 4-5
Subject: Columbus Day / Native Americans
Materials: Christopher Columbus book, stamps, reader's theater, map of the world, water colors, paint brushes, glue
Handouts: Reader's theater
Time Needed: 1 week
Provided by: TeacherLINK @ Utah State University (Author: Jamie Huggard)
Link: http://teacherlink.ed.usu.edu/tlresources/units/Byrnes-celebrations/columbus.html

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German Unity Day 2009

2009-10-03T11:59:00.002+02:00

The Day of German Unity is a national holiday in Germany, celebrated on 3 October, which commemorates the anniversary of German reunification in 1990. Each year, there is a Citizens' Festival (German: Bürgerfest) on that day in addition to the traditional celebrations at Berlin.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Has the Wall Truly Tumbled Down?
Objectives: Exploring the Destruction of the Berlin Wall and the Invisible Barriers that Remain
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subject: World History, Social Studies
Materials:
- Student journals
- Robert Frost poem "Mending Wall",
- Copies of "Haphazardly, Berlin Wall Fell a Decade Ago"
- Computers with access to the Internet.
Provided by: The New York Times Learning Network; Author: Alison Zimbalist.
Link: http://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/1999/11/10/has-the-wall-truly-tumbled-down/

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Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948) Was Born

2009-10-02T14:10:00.002+02:00

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi) was the pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India during the Indian independence movement. He was the pioneer of satyagraha—resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, firmly founded upon ahimsa or total non-violence—which led India to independence and has inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.
Gandhi is commonly known around the world as Mahatma Gandhi (Sanskrit: 'Great Soul') and in India also as Bapu (Gujarati: 'Father'). He is officially honoured in India as the Father of the Nation; his birthday, 2 October, is commemorated there as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and worldwide as the International Day of Non-Violence.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The relationship between Martin Luther King's teachings on nonviolence and those of Mohandas K. Gandhi.
Objectives: Students will:
- examine the philosophy of nonviolence developed by Martin Luther King, Jr.,
- consider how this philosophy was translated into practice during the Civil Rights Movement,
- explore the relationship between King's teachings on nonviolence and those of Mohandas K. Gandhi.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subject: Philosophy, US history, world history, civil rights, human rights
Materials: Computers with access to the Internet.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: EDSITEment / National Endowment for the Humanities
Year: 2002
Link: http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=326

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Elie Wiesel (1928) Was Born

2009-09-30T09:55:00.001+02:00

Eliezer "Elie" Wiesel is a writer, professor, political activist, Peace Nobel Laureate and Holocaust survivor. He is the author of 57 books, the best known of which is Night, a memoir that describes his experiences during the Holocaust and his imprisonment in several concentration camps.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Using Student-Centered Comprehension Strategies with Elie Wiesel’s Night
Objectives: Students will:
- read and discuss a memoir.
- use reciprocal teaching strategies.
- work collaboratively to explore and discuss readings.
- present and discuss information orally.
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: Literature / Language
Materials: Class set of the memoir Night by Elie Wiesel.
Handouts:
- Reciprocal Teaching Guidelines,
- Discussion Question Guidelines for Night
- Reciprocal Teaching Notes
- Self-Reflection: Taking Part in a Group (PDF)
Time Needed: three 50-minute class periods or more
Provided by: ReadWriteThink
Link: http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=884

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World Rabies Day 2009

2009-09-28T22:26:00.002+02:00

World Rabies Day, observed on September 28th each year, is a global initiative to raise awareness about the continuing burden of rabies and how the disease can be prevented.
Despite being 100% preventable, one person dies from rabies every ten minutes. It is estimated that 52,560 people die worldwide from rabies each year. Children are particularly at risk, with almost half of all rabies deaths occurring in children under 15 years. The main source of human exposure to rabies, especially in children, is from dogs. Rabies can be transmitted from dogs not vaccinated against the disease. Unfortunately, vaccination is neglected in many parts of the world.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: World Rabies Day 2009
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will:
- the impact of rabies
- how to avoid contracting rabies
- how to avoid dog bites
- how rabies can be eliminated
Grade Level: K-4
Subject: Rabies prevention
Materials: Computers with access to the Internet.
Handouts: Make Rabies History! (PowerPoint pesentation)
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Alliance for Rabies Control
Link: http://www.worldrabiesday.org_Lesson%_Plan.doc

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William Faulkner (1897 – 1962) Was Born

2009-09-25T17:56:00.004+03:00

William Faulkner was an American author, Nobel Prize-winner in Literature (1949), one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.
Most of Faulkner's works are set in his native state of Mississippi and he is considered one of the most important Southern writers along with Mark Twain, Robert Penn Warren, Flannery O'Connor, Truman Capote, Eudora Welty, and Tennessee Williams.
His most celebrated novels are: The Sound and the Fury (1929), As I Lay Dying (1930), Light in August (1932), and Absalom, Absalom! (1936).

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: A Vast and Enduring Monument: William Faulkner’s Literary lesson plan
Objectives: Students will:
describe the characteristics of William Faulkner’s writing,
explain William Faulkner’s significance in the literary world,
analyze a primary source,
analyze a William Faulkner short story.
Grade Level: 7-12
Subject: Mississippi Studies / Literature
Materials:Copies of William Faulkner’s short stories: A Rose for Emily, Two Soldiers, The Bear; access to the Internet.
Handouts: Sample Analysis Sheet (PDF Format)
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Mississippi Historical Society (Author: Karla Smith, Biloxi, Mississippi)
Link: http://mshistory.k12.ms.us/articles/24/index.php?s=lesson-plans&id=25

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The End of Lewis and Clark Daring Expedition - September 23, 1806

2009-09-23T18:44:00.001+03:00

On September 23, 1986, the Lewis and Clark expedition (Corps of Discovery) arrived in St. Louis, Missouri, ending their journey after two years, four months, and ten days.
The expedition, originally intended to determine exactly what was obtained in the Louisiana Purchase, laid much of the groundwork for the Westward Expansion of the United States.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Analyzing the Lewis and Clark Journals
Objectives: Interpret Corps of Discovery journal entries as primary documents.
Grade Level: 6-12
Subject: US history
Materials:
A copy of Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery
Internet access
A television and VCR or DVD player
Handouts: Journal entries (web); Student Activity Sheet (PDF file).
Time Needed: Three class periods
Provided by: PBS
Link: http://www.pbs.org/lewisandclark/class/l04.html

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Sir William Golding (1911 - 1993) Was Born

2009-09-19T22:37:00.006+03:00

Sir William Gerald Golding was a British novelist, poet and Nobel Prize for Literature laureate (1983), best known for his novel Lord of the Flies (1954).

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Lord of the Flies
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will understand:

What happens to a group of boys stranded on an island with no adult supervision.

What happens to civilized people when the structures of civilization disappear.
Grade Level: 6-8
Subject: Literature
Materials: The novel Lord of the Flies.
Time Needed: Two class periods.
Provided by: Discovery Education (Credit: Summer Productions, Inc.)
Link: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/flies/

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Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784) Was Born

2009-09-18T10:59:00.003+03:00

Best renowned for his A Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1755, which is regarded as among the most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Dictionary Skills
Objectives: Word location in a dictionary by using guide words.
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Subject: Language Arts
Materials: Spelling list, dictionary.
Handouts: Dictionary Skills Worksheet - Guide Words.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: A to Z Teacher Stuff, L.L.C (By Upsadaisy)
Link: http://www.atozteacherstuff.com/pages/4266.shtml

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Marvin Minsky (1927 - ) Was Born

2009-08-09T19:51:00.002+03:00

Marvin Lee Minsky is a prominent American cognitive scientist in the field of artificial intelligence (AI), co-founder of MIT's AI laboratory, and author of several texts on AI and philosophy.

Minsky's patents include the first head-mounted graphical display (1963) and the confocal microscope (1957), a predecessor to today's widely used confocal laser scanning microscope. He developed, with Seymour Papert, the first Logo "turtle". Minsky also built, in 1951, the first randomly wired neural network learning machine, SNARC.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Learning About How Artificial Intelligence Affects Our World
Objectives: Students will:

Define the term "artificial intelligence" and list devices that utilize artificial intelligence.

Learn about how advances in artificial intelligence affect our lives.

Brainstorm about an artificial intelligence device that could improve the life of students.
Grade Level: 6-8, 9-12
Subject: Language Arts, Technology
Materials: The article "Artificial Intelligence Hasn't Peaked (Yet)"
Time Needed: 45 minutes
Provided by: The New York Times (Author: Rachel McClain, The New York Times Learning Network)
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/learning/teachers/lessons/20001228thursday.html

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Robert Fitzroy (1805 - 1865) Was Born

2009-07-05T12:42:00.002+03:00

Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy was the captain of HMS Beagle with during Charles Darwin's famous voyage, and as a pioneering meteorologist who made accurate weather forecasting a reality. He was an able surveyor and hydrographer and served as Governor of New Zealand from 1843 to 1845.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Tornado WebQuest
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will understand the follwing regarding tornadoes: Tornado terminology, Fujita scale, myths and mysteries, safety, webquest.
Grade Level: 5-8
Subject: Science / Meteorology
Materials: Computer with an Internet connection
Time Needed: One 50-minute class period
Provided by: The Educator's Reference Desk (Author: Louise Jaskoski)
Link: http://www.eduref.org/cgi-bin/printlessons.cgi/Virtual/Lessons/Science/Meteorology/MET0058.html

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Independence Day - 4th of July - 2009

2009-07-04T01:00:00.002+03:00

In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.

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Lesson Plan Information
Title: The American Flag
Objectives: Students will be able to name the number of stars, red stripes, white stripes, and name what each represents.
Grade Level: K-2
Subject: Social Studies / Arts
Materials: Construction paper, glue, real American flag, index cards
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: HotChalk (Author: Rebecca Croft)
Link: http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSArtTheAmericanFlagAndItsSymbolsK2.htm

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Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646 - 1716) Was Born

2009-07-01T19:54:00.003+03:00

Leibniz was a German philosopher and mathematician who wrote primarily in Latin and French.
He invented infinitesimal calculus independently of Newton, and his notation is the one in general use since then. He also invented the binary system, foundation of virtually all modern computer architectures.
He was, along with René Descartes and Baruch Spinoza, one of the three greatest 17th-century rationalists philosophers. Leibniz also made major contributions to physics and technology, and anticipated notions that surfaced much later in biology, medicine, geology, probability theory, psychology, linguistics, and information science.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The Cylinder Problem
Objectives: Write the volumes of the cylinders as a function of radius and, using derivatives, find the cylinder with the greatest volume, given a fixed perimeter.
Concepts: Cylinder, dimension, area, circumference, height, lateral surface area, volume.
Grade Level: 11-12
Subject: Mathematics / Calculus
Materials: 8 1/2" by 11" sheets of paper, tape, ruler, graph paper, fill material.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: The Math Forum
Link: http://mathforum.org/brap/wrap2/calclesson.html

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Sir Paul McCartney Was Born

2009-06-18T11:32:00.001+03:00

Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) gained worldwide fame as a member of The Beatles, alongside John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. McCartney and Lennon formed one of the most influential and successful songwriting partnerships and wrote some of the most popular music in rock and roll history.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Hey, Hey, It's the Beatles!
Objectives: Students will learn about the Beatles, and the contributions their music made to the the pop music that came afterward.
Grade Level: High School / College
Subject: Culture / Music
Materials: Access to the Internet; print materials about the Beatles; Beatles' CDs.
Time Needed: Two to five class periods
Provided by: National First Ladies' Library (Author: Averil McClelland, Kent State University)
Link: http://www.firstladies.org/curriculum/curriculum.aspx?Curriculum=1712

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Knud Rasmussen (1879–1933) Was Born

2009-06-07T08:14:00.001+03:00

Knud Rasmussen was a Greenlandic polar explorer and anthropologist. He has been called the "father of Eskimology" and was the first to cross the Northwest Passage via dog sled. He remains well known in Greenland, Denmark and among Canadian Inuit.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Knud Rasmussen – “The Old and the New”
Objectives: Students will read “The Old and the New” from Knud Rasmussen’s Report of the Fifth Thule Expedition 1921-24 and will identify and debate the changes in Inuit life that came with the establishment of trading posts.
Concepts: Trading posts in the Arctic.
Grade Level: Middle School
Subject: Inuit Culture
Materials: Copies of “The Old and the New”
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: SILA – An Educational Website About Inuit Culture
Year: 2005
Link: http://www.sila.nu/pub/lessons/SILA_K.Rasmussen_Lesson1.pdf

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World Environment Day 2009

2009-06-05T18:24:00.000+03:00

World Environment Day (WED) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972. WED is hosted every year by a different city and commemorated with an international exposition through the week of June 5. WED agenda is to stimulate awareness of the environment and enhance political attention and public action.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Global Warming
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will:

Understand the greenhouse effect and global warming impacts

Analyze global warming diagrams

Complete a Venn Diagram that compares various points of view on global warming
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: Environmental issues
Materials: Access to the Internet
Handouts: Global Warming Venn Diagram (PDF file); Global Warming Project Ideas (PDF file).
Time Needed: Five 50-minute class periods
Provided by: PBS (Author: Lisa Prososki)
Year: 2008
Link: http://www.pbs.org/now/classroom/global-warming-lesson-plan.pdf

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World No Tobacco Day 2009

2009-05-31T09:29:00.001+03:00

World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31. The member states of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987. It draws global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to its negative health effects. The day aims to reduce the 5.4 million yearly deaths from tobacco related health problems. From 1988 the WHO has presented one or more World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) Awards to organizations or individuals who have made exceptional contributions to reducing tobacco consumption. On May 31st, 2008 the WHO called for a complete ban on tobacco advertising; the organization said studies establish a relationship between exposure to cigarette advertisement and starting smoking.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Smoking: Pressures and Responsibilities
Objectives: By the end of this lesson, students will understand:

dangers of smoking

factors that influence decision making

advertising strategies that tobacco companies use

personal responsibilities regarding smoking
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: Human Body
Materials: Newspapers or magazines containing tobacco advertisements, access to the Internet.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Discovery Education (Author: Betsy Gallun)
Link: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/smoking/

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Memorial Day 2009

2009-05-25T09:12:00.003+03:00

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I to include American casualties of any war or military action.

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Lesson Plan Information
Title: Mapping Your State's Role In the Vietnam War
Objectives: Students will:

create a map that illustrates your state impact of the Vietnam War.

recognize the reasons we celebrate Memorial Day.
Concepts: Vietnam War, Memorial Day, soldiers, war, state, geography, Veteran's Day
Grade Level: K-12
Subject: Civics, history, geography
Materials: Internet access, a large map of your state.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Education World, Submitted By Gary Hopkins
Link: http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/03/lp313-02.shtml

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Edward Jenner (1749 – 1823) Was Born

2009-05-17T09:32:00.002+03:00

Edward Jenner was an English scientist who is widely credited as the pioneer of smallpox vaccine, and is sometimes referred to as the 'Father of Immunology'.

In 1980, the World Health Organization declared smallpox an eradicated disease. This was the result of coordinated public health efforts by many people, but vaccination was an essential component.

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Lesson Plan Information
Title: Common Vaccinations
Objectives: Understand how different types of vaccines work
Concepts: Antibody, antigen, bacteria, immunization, vaccine, virus
Grade Level: 6-8
Subject: Human Body
Materials: Access to the Internet, poster boards, markers, colored pencils
Lesson Plan Support: Bacteria, Viruses & Allergies Video
Time Needed: Two class periods
Provided by: Discovery Education (Author: Joy Brewster)
Link: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/vaccinations/

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Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-10T09:22:00.001+03:00

The modern Mother's Day holiday was created by Anna Jarvis and it's now celebrated on various days in many places around the world. It complements Father's Day, the celebration honoring fathers.

This holiday is relatively modern, being created at the start of the 20th century, and should not be confused with the early pagan and Christian traditions honoring mothers, or with the 16th century celebration of Mothering Sunday, which is also known as Mother's Day in the UK.

In most countries the Mother's Day celebration is a recent holiday derived from the Mothering Sunday holiday in the UK.

It is celebrated in Australia, Malaysia, India, Canada, and United States each year on the second Sunday of May.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: The Best Gift, for Shoe-er!
Objectives: Students turn an old shoe into a memorable planter gift for Mother's Day.
Concepts: Mother's Day, mother, family, present, holiday
Grade Level: PreK-5
Subject: Visual Arts
Materials: An old shoe for each student, gold paint, paintbrushes, potting soil, flower seeds.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Education World, submitted by Gary Hopkins
Link: http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/02/lp263-03.shtml

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Sigmund Freud (1856 - 1939) Was Born

2009-05-06T10:11:00.001+03:00

Sigismund Schlomo Freud was an Austrian psychiatrist who founded the psychoanalytic school of psychology. Freud is best known for his theories of the unconscious mind and the defense mechanism of repression and for creating the clinical practice of psychoanalysis for curing psychopathology through dialogue between a patient and a psychoanalyst. Freud is also renowned for his redefinition of sexual desire as the primary motivational energy of human life, as well as his therapeutic techniques, including the use of free association, his theory of transference in the therapeutic relationship, and the interpretation of dreams as sources of insight into unconscious desires. Many of Freud's ideas have fallen out of favor or have been modified by Neo-Freudians, although at the close of the 20th century, advances in the field of neurology began to show evidence for many of his theories.

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Lesson Plan Information
Title: The Interpretation of Dreams
Objectives: Students will understand Freud's arguments that:
1. our dreams contain clues to our hopes, fears, and fantasies.
2. developments in our childhood affect the way we act and the kinds of dreams we have.
Grade Level: 9-12
Subject: Human Body
Materials: Excerpts from The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud.
Time Needed: One class period
Provided by: Discovery Education (Credit: Lara Maupin, Thomas Jefferson High School, Alexandria, Virginia.)
Link: http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/dreams/

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Karl Marx (1818 - 1883) Was Born

2009-05-05T09:44:00.000+03:00

Karl Heinrich Marx was a German philosopher, political economist, historian, political theorist, sociologist, humanist and revolutionary credited as the founder of communism. Best known as the author of Das Kapital and The Communist Manifesto.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Karl Marx Isn't the Only One Who Can Write a Manifesto!
Objectives: The purpose of this lesson is to give students an opportunity to think about current problems in school, community or worldwide by writing a manifesto addressing the problem.
Concepts: Manifesto
Grade Level: Middle School
Subject: Civic Ideals and Practices
Materials: Access to the Internet, current newspapers.
Time Needed: One week
Provided by: The National First Ladies' Library (Author: Averil McClelland, Kent State University)
Link: http://www.firstladies.org/curriculum/curriculum.aspx?Curriculum=1402

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Earth Day 2009

2009-04-22T10:16:00.000+03:00

Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970 and is celebrated in many countries every year. This date is Spring in the Northern Hemisphere and Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Junk Mail Overload
Objectives: Students record the amount of junk snail mail received at their homes and explore ways to solve the junk mail problem.
Themes: trash, recycling, landfill, conservation, junk mail.
Grade Level: 3-12
Subject: Environmental Sciences
Materials: paper, pencils, postage scale or another scale that weighs small units
Provided by: Education World, submitted by Gary Hopkins
Link: http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/02/lp260-02.shtml

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James Dewey Watson (1928 - ) Was Born

2009-04-06T11:13:00.000+03:00

James Watson is an American molecular biologist, best known as one of the co-discoverers of the structure of DNA - the double helix. For this Watson, Francis Crick, and Maurice Wilkins were awarded the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

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Lesson Plan Information
Title: Making DNA Jewelry Models
Objectives: This hands-on activity helps students construct a model of DNA to learn DNA structure to better understand protein synthesis. Impaired students can make a model using larger beads.
Grade Level: 4-12
Subject: Biology / Biochemistry
Materials: Seed beads, jewelry wire, key rings, earring wires, clasps, fishing line.
Time Needed: Two class periods
Provided by: Access Excellence @ the National Health Museum (Author: Catherine Ross, Berkley High School)
Link: http://www.accessexcellence.org/AE/AEC/AEF/1995/ross_jewelry.php

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Vincent Willem van Gogh (1853 – 1890) Was Born

2009-03-30T10:39:00.003+03:00

Vincent van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist artist. Some of his paintings are now among the world's best known, most popular and expensive works of art.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Sunflower Measuring and Counting
Objectives: Students will:
Learn and tell about sunflowers
improve measuring and counting skills
Work in groups
Grade Level: 1-2
Subject: Arts / Math
Materials: Posters or prints of Van Gogh's Sunflowers, real sunflowers and seeds, glue, crayons, rulers, construction paper; access to the Internet.
Handouts: Vincent Van Gogh Sunflowers (Internet).
Time Needed: 1 hour
Provided by: Vincent Van Gogh Gallery
Link: http://www.vangoghgallery.com/lesson_plans/

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World Day for Water 2009

2009-03-22T08:26:00.002+02:00

In 1993 the United Nations General Assembly declared March 22 as World Water Day. Its main goals, among others, are to promote the cause of clean drinking water and sustainable aquatic habitats and to ensure safe water and decent sanitation for civilians in conflict zones.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: "Water is Life" Global Water Awareness Mini-Unit
Objectives: Students will calculate the percentage of fresh water available for human use and understand why water is a limited resource and that fresh water is limited and must be conserved and protected.
Grade Level: Elementary School (Grades 3-5)
Subject: Geography /Science/ Math
Materials: 2 colors of construction paper, markers, world map, 1000-mL beaker, 100-mL graduated cylinders, small dish, salt, freezer or an ice bucket, eyedroppers or glass stirring rod, small metal bucket, and copies of Water Availability Table.
Handouts: Worksheets and activities
Provided by: WaterPartners International
Link: http://www.water.org/FileUploads/WPElemCurric2_0.pdf

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St. Patrick's Day 2009

2009-03-17T08:59:00.001+02:00

Saint Patrick's Day, colloquially St. Paddy's Day or Paddy's Day, is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (circa AD 385–461), one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated on March 17. Celebrations are generally themed around all things Irish and, by association, the colour green. Both Christians and non-Christians celebrate the secular version of the holiday by wearing green, eating Irish food and/or green foods, imbibing Irish drink (such as Irish stout, Irish Whiskey or Irish Cream) and attending parades.

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Lesson Plan Information
Title: Why is St. Patrick's Day celebrated all over the world?
Objectives: To gain knowledge about why St. Patrick's Day is celebrated all over the world and to distinguish between fact and fiction.
Grade Level: 2
Subject: Social Studies
Materials: Create a story strictly about the facts of Saint Patrick and create a worksheet to allow discussion about fact or fiction.
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: LessonPlansPage.com (Author: Lisa MacBean)
Link: http://www.lessonplanspage.com/SSOStPatricksDayHistory2.htm

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Gustav Robert Kirchhoff (1824 - 1887) Was Born

2009-03-12T10:24:00.001+02:00

Gustav Kirchhoff was a German physicist who contributed to the fundamental understanding of electrical circuits, spectroscopy, and the emission of black-body radiation by heated objects. He coined the term "black body" radiation in 1862, and two sets of independent concepts in both circuit theory and thermal emission are named "Kirchhoff's laws" after him.

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Lesson Plan Information
Title: Kirchhoff’s Current and Voltage Laws
Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, students will understand:
Ohm’s Law and definitions of current, voltage, resistance
Series circuit, parallel circuit (bulb demonstration)
Kirchhoff’s current and voltage laws
Grade Level: 9-10
Subject: Electronics / Physics
Materials: breadboard, 3 100Ω resistors, Voltmeter, 9V battery, bulbs
Handouts: Powerpoint presentation, worksheet
Time Needed: 1 hour
Provided by: University of British Columbia
Link: http://outreach.phas.ubc.ca/phys420/p420_04/mitsuko/lessonPlanElectronics.htm

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International Women's Day 2009

2009-03-08T11:30:00.000+02:00

International Woman's Day (IWD) is marked on March 8 every year. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women.
Started as a political event, the holiday blended in the culture of many countries (primarily Russia and the countries of former Soviet bloc). In some celebrations, the day lost its political flavour, and became simply an occasion for men to express their love to the women around them in a way somewhat similar to Mother's Day and St Valentine's Day mixed together. In others, however, the political and human rights theme as designated by the United Nations runs strong, and political and social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide are brought out and examined in a hopeful manner.

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Lesson Plan Information
Title: International Women's Day
Objectives: To discuss and create a collage about the important roles that women play in the students' lives.
Grade Level: 4-6
Subject: Arts
Materials: Blank placemats, old magazines, glue, scissors, crayons, pens, paper
Handouts: Blank placemats
Provided by: CHARACTER COUNTS!
Link: http://charactercounts.org/lesson-plans/character-education-lesson.php?id=87

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Alexander Graham Bell (1847 - 1922) Was Born

2009-03-03T09:25:00.001+02:00

Alexander Graham Bell was an eminent scientist, inventor and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: How the Ear Works
Objectives:
1. Students will learn the history of Alexander Graham Bell and relate their newfound knowledge to their own lives and
2. develop an understanding of the basic principles of sound and how it travels.
Grade Level: 3
Subject: Science / Science Biographies
Materials: Class set of Sound Know-It-All tests (Appendix A), pencil for each student
Handouts: 8 worksheets
Time Needed: Six lessons approximately 45 minutes each and one Culminating Activity approximately 60 minutes
Provided by: The Academy, Denver, CO (Authors: Sara Laughlin and Telena Haneline)
Link: http://coreknowledge.org/CK/resrcs/lessons/06_3_Ear.pdf

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Yitzhak Rabin (1922 - 1995) Was Born

2009-03-01T09:52:00.002+02:00

Yitzhak Rabin was an Israeli politician and general. He was the fifth Prime Minister of Israel, serving two terms in office, 1974–1977 and 1992 until his assassination in 1995. In 1994, Rabin won the Nobel Peace Prize together with Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat. He was assassinated by a right-wing Israeli radical, who was opposed to Rabin's signing of the Oslo Accords with the Palestinians.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Compare John Lennon's vision of peace to Yitzhak Rabin's.
Objectives: Students will Analyze the song "Imagine", compare Lennon's vision of peace to Rabin's and write and discuss about their own vision of peace.
Concepts: peace, unity, utopia, tolerance
Grade Level: 6-12
Subject: English / ESL
Materials: Internet access, Lennon's "Imagine" album
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: Amalnet (Israel)
Link: http://www.amalnet.k12.il/meida/english/rabin/engi0091.htm

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Johnny Cash (1932 - 2003) Was Born

2009-02-26T08:31:00.005+02:00

Johnny Cash was a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Primarily a country music artist, his songs and sound spanned many other genres including rockabilly and rock and roll (especially early in his career), as well as blues, folk and gospel.

- Wikipedia

Lesson Plan Information
Title: Personal Narratives Inspired by Johnny Cash
Objectives:
Students will:
1. Watch a concert performance and analyze song lyrics.
2. Draft a personal narrative that relates a childhood experience.
3. Finalize a personal narrative and share it with the class.
Grade Level: 6-12
Subject: English / Language Arts
Materials: Online video clip, computers with access to the Internet.
Handouts: Song Analysis (PDF file), A graphic organizer like Story Map 2 (PDF file).
Time Needed: Two 50-minute class periods
Provided by: PBS (Author: Cari Ladd, M.Ed)
Year: 2008
Link: http://www.pbs.org/pov/johnnycash/lesson_plan.php

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