Suggestions for using primary sources.

Fifth graders study the national archives through both images AND visiting the site. This is meant to provide them with an understanding of what documents are important to the U.S. and why (i.e. Declaration of Independence, etc...).

Students review a list of important inventions from the last century and a half. They order the top ten inventions with an explanation accompanying their choices and then write a report on a selected invention.

In this dolphins worksheet, learners fill in a KWL chart about dolphins. Students fill in what they know, what they want to know, and what they learned about dolphins.

Young scholars conduct a soil organism experiment. In this soil organism lesson, students work with a partner to test soil samples and collect data. They grow cultures from the soil samples in order to make comparisons from different...

Learners comprehend Native American cultures through the use of both secondary and primary sources. They explore and investigate Native Americans in New York State. Students are shown some old Indian arrowheads and they are challenged...

Students explore environmental protection by creating a presentation in class. In this Chesapeake Bay instructional activity, students discuss the current threats from human beings towards the delicate balance of life near the bay....

In these short stories worksheets, learners read the basic and advanced version of the story 'A Paper for School.' Students answer 3 comprehension questions and 4 vocabulary questions.

Students read about how dogs help people. In this language arts lesson, students select a topic and create a presentation about dogs. Students choose the type of presentation to create.

Students explore inventions that have been created since the nineteenth century.

Fifth graders find each state and its capital city on a map before memorizing the information. They work in small groups after watching a modeled instructional activity by the teachers. They write a statement about their assigned states...

Fifth graders are introduced to poetry and many authors who create it. In this language arts lesson plan, 5th graders create a class poetry book. Each student submits an original poem, along with an illustration.

Students create a brochure with the perfect vacation to Costa Rica in mind. They make sure that the brochure includes environmentally responsible tourism (ecotourism) after brainstorming what might or might not be included.

Students examine how to differentiate between authentic and unauthentic websites on the Internet. They view and discuss a photo of a shark that is a hoax, then discuss the eight ways to evaluate websites. Students then evaluate three...

Students role play. In this equality instructional activity, students read a passage in Leviticus and describe people that would be considered strangers and how they are to be treated. Students discuss the concept of discrimination....

Students participate in a role play where they are travel agents and must sell their assigned state to the rest of the class. They collect and present information in persuasive speeches to make their fellow students want to take a...

Pupils create a slavery timeline. They identify key leaders in the anti-slavery movement. Students are asked what they can recall about slavery. They review the following vocabulary words slavery, spirituals, abolitionists, and...

For this bald eagle worksheet, students complete a KWL Achart about a bald eagle. Students fill in what they know, want to know, and what they have learned about the bald eagle.

Students construct a newspaper about historical events that happened on the day they were born. In this newspaper lesson plan, students write an editorial, create a visual, find a political cartoon, and insert an interview.

Fifth graders practice scanning skills to answer questions on the French and Indian War.

Fifth graders read a historical novel. In groups they reenact chapters of the novel.

Students practice summarizing a story that they have read. They write a persuasive essay encouraging others to read the story they have finished. They are to create a movie trailer or advertisement to promote the book.

Fifth graders brainstorm a variety of topics for writing. As a class, learners create four types of graphic organizers on selected topics. They discuss how to use graphic organizer in constructing a written paragraph.

Students design magnetic bookmarks with healthy living messages. They decide on the shape, length, color, and type of material to use for creating their bookmark. Students write in an "inventor's journal" about their design and...