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Point of View and Perspective on the American Dream

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In the first bend of this unit, students will closely read multiple perspectives on the “American Dream” in order to collect information to use and integrate that information into an evidence-based perspective. Students will examine primary and secondary source documents to make informed decisions about what information to collect that may inspire their writing about “The American Dream.” In the second bend of this unit, students will engage in a short-research process to create a draft of argumentative speech on the “American Dream” with a specific purpose, audience, and tone in mind. They will use their inquiry research questions from bend one to begin analyzing search results and citing and gathering relevant, accurate, and credible information.

Material Type: Unit of Study

Authors: Elizabeth Jensen, Grandview School DIstrict, Jennifer RIchter, Tamara Brader

Developing a Fact-Based Opinion in Life Science

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During this unit, students will extend their understanding of opinion texts by using them as a basis to form an opinion and write about it. Students closely read texts for literal comprehension and to connect ideas within and across texts to help them become informed readers. Students will decipher authors’ stance toward a topic and use their research to form their own opinion about the topic. With this informed point of view as readers and writers, students will be able to engage in persuasive literacy, discussions, and opinion writing. Throughout the unit, scaffolds and structures are embedded to support English Language learners. This unit is recommended to be taught after students have had experience with 3 rd grade Narrative and Informational writing.

Material Type: Unit of Study

Author: Grandview School District

Introduction to Different Text Types

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This unit is designed to develop foundational skills needed to prepare students for learning and making meaning of a variety of text types. The unit will provide students with opportunities to listen to and explore a variety of everyday print materials such as storybooks, poems, and informational texts to engage in interactive discussions of the messages and meaning of texts. This unit teaches students that they are readers and have a vital role in their classroom community. Students will continue practicing routines necessary for learning: • Working productively in the meeting area • Working with a partner to Think-Pair- Share • Book handling and learning about the parts of texts • Selecting texts for independent reading • Using everything in the classroom for reading support

Material Type: Unit of Study

Author: Grandview School District

Conceptual Chemistry

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Conceptual Chemistry is a year-long course based on CK-12 OER instructional material and supplemented with limited commercially-available materials. The course is project-based, argument-driven inquiry. Each quarter begins with presentation of an intriguing phenomenon, followed by an essential question about the phenomenon, and a project centered on answering that essential question. Throughout the quarter, students conduct research and investigations to answer portions of the question. Each unit has a student "Task" at the end that serves as an assessment of the unit's concepts. At the end of each quarter, students assemble all of the unit tasks and synthesize a personal final project that answers the essential question in a personal context chosen by the student.

Material Type: Full Course

Authors: Gary Thayer, Jonathan Frostad, Michael Crebbin, Malia Turner, Mackenzie Neal, Zachary Sawhill

Living in Washington: Geography, Resources, and Economy

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The unit from Central Valley School District in Washington, is focused on the examination of geography in terms of “place.” Students dive into inquiry to answer the compelling question, What is unique about living in Washington? Through this question students will understand where and why people live in Washington State. Students will dive into the regions of Washington State and define it through many characteristics. Students will ultimately choose a region to become an expert on and communicate what makes that region unique. Each student’s performance task product will reflect choice and build upon student strengths according to their skill set.

Material Type: Lesson, Lesson Plan, Teaching/Learning Strategy, Unit of Study

Authors: Washington OSPI OER Project, Leslie Heffernan

How can we help save the Pika who live in the Columbia River Gorge? (4th grade Life Science Unit)

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This integrated OER unit focuses on the 4th grade NGSS bundle addressing Structure, Function, and Information Processing (Performance expectations 4-PS4-2, 4-LS1-1, and 4-LS1-2). Students are engaged in a storyline which presents them with the problem of preserving the pika population who live in the Columbia River Gorge, a species which has recently been threatened in this region due to climate change. Through a series of activities, labs, and field STEM experiences, students engage in scientific modeling and investigation, while building their understanding of how an organism’s internal and external structures enable survival, growth and reproduction. The unit culminates with the development of a product that can be shared with a public audience to instigate positive change in the community and help protect the pika.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Pranjali Upadhyay

Ecosystem Invasion! (3rd Grade Life Science Unit)

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This integrated 3rd grade unit addresses the NGSS Life Science bundles for Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems (3-LS2-1, 3-LS4-3, and 3-LS4-4) and Inheritance and Variation of Traits: Life Cycles and Traits (3-LS1-1, 3-LS3-1, 3-LS3-2, and 3-LS4-2). Students embark on a mission to protect their native plants and animals by devising a plan to regulate and prevent the spread of invasive species in the area. Through a series of FOSS investigations and other OER (open educational resource) lessons and activities, students learn about how an organism’s traits aid in survival, how parents pass on traits to their offspring, and how the environment influences plant and animal traits and behaviors.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Pranjali Upadhyay

What's for Dinner? 5th Grade STEM Project

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Meaningful STEM learning can happen at home as we problem-solve around the house and make sense of intriguing phenomena around us! Join us as we embark on a mission to create a healthy and nutritious meal for our family! This STEM mini-project can be launched by the teacher and can provide families with a fun project to do in the kitchen.

Material Type: Activity/Lab

Author: Pranjali Upadhyay

Lake Washington School District: Spanish 1 Curriculum, Español 1.1 ¿Quiénes somos?, Español 1.1 Unit Goals

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The Unit Goals section outlines the big picture view of the unit. Here you will find details that lay out the unit’s theme and essential questions, what students will be able to do by the end of the unit, and which standards are addressed in the unit. In the metaphor of a journey, use this section to gain an understanding of the destination and where your students will be at the end of the unit.

Material Type: Lesson Plan, Teaching/Learning Strategy

Authors: Barrie Silva, Lake Washington School District, Washington OSPI OER Project