It can be difficult and time consuming to find reliable resources for creating and implementing lesson plans, specifically those that point to interactive and engaging material.  Here are three that display high-quality content & align with learning standards: PBS LearningMedia, Illuminations and Library of Congress.

These resources are helpful to use while creating lesson plans for your classes and for use with students in the classroom. In addition to containing subject and topic specific videos, they are also rich in lesson planning and activity ideas, many aligned to learning standards.

PBS LearningMedia provides access to thousands of classroom-ready, curriculum-targeted digital resources. Resources are aligned to national standards and include videos and interactives, as well as audio, documents, and in-depth lesson plans. You can browse by standards, grade level, subject area, and special collections. To take full advantage of this resource, you will need to sign up for a free account.

Illuminations is designed to provide Standards-based resources that improve the teaching and learning of mathematics. Lessons and interactives are searchable by NCTM’s Principles and Standards and by the Common Core State Standards.

The Library of Congress offers classroom materials and professional development to help teachers effectively use primary sources from the Library’s vast digital collections in their teaching. You will find lesson plans that meet Common Core standards, state content standards, and the standards of national organizations.

In addition to providing access to online resources, Milne Library houses a large collection of teaching strategy guides. These guides, from all major subject areas, display a variety of teaching topics with summaries of best practices on teaching these topics.

A few titles include:

• The writing strategies book: Your everything guide to developing skilled writers with 300 strategies by Jennifer Serravallo – call # curr 372.6 SER 2017
• Differentiation in middle & high school: Strategies to engage all learners by Kristina J. Doubet, & Jessica A. Hockett – call # curr 371.9 DOU 2015
• Problem-based learning in the earth and space science classroom, K-12 by Tom J. McConnell, Joyce Parker, & Janet Eberhardt – call # curr 550 MCC 2017
• Teaching STEM outdoors: Activities for young children by Patty Born Selly – call# curr 372.3 SEL 2017
• Developing fractions knowledge by Amy J. Hackenberg, Anderson Norton, & Robert J. Wright – call # curr 372.7 HAC 2016
• Social studies & exceptional learners by Darren Minarik & Timothy Lintner – call #  curr 372.83 MIN 2016

For more resource ideas, visit the Education Lesson Planning guide, or contact the Education Librarian, Michelle Costello, directly at [email protected]