Learners improve their essay writing skills using the subject of voting as a topic. In this writing essays lesson, students write expository essays to increase the weight of their vote in the 'Cast Your Vote Poll' for the Trans-Amazon...

Middle schoolers explain the basic positions of the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. They chart the differences and similarities between state and federal governments. They write a persuasive essay in response to an open-ended...

What would change in your daily life due to a power outage? Here, learners explore the inventions brought to us by the one and only, Thomas Edison, and imagine a day without them. Scholars take part in a grand conversation and write a...

For every action there is a consequence. Scholars continue their work on creating a cascading consequence chart about DDT using Welcome Back, The Exterminator, Rachel Carson: Sounding the Alarm on Pollution along...

Students present speeches. In this philanthropy lesson plan, students invite another class to come visit. They talk about philanthropy and present persuasive speeches written in a previous lesson plan. The visiting students answer the...

Sixth graders research to find background information and stock history over the last year about a company listed on the NYSE. They evaluate whether or not they should "invest" in that company. They write a persuasive essay outlining...

Young scholars are introduced to the purpose of the World Bank and its president Paul Wolfowitz. After reading an article, they work together to complete a writing exercise in which they use primary source documents to state their...

Young scholars watch two commericals from previous presidential elections on the topic of healthcare. After reading an article, they identify the position of the various candidates for the 2008 election. In groups, they brainstorm their...

Students participate in a round-table discussion about the juvenile justice system and investigate the 'age of accountability' debate. They write a persuasive essay supporting or refuting the punishment received by the children discussed...

Learners examine the French draft law to ban religious symbols from public schools. They research "secularist" and "pluralist" positions regarding this ban, debate the topic in class, and draft a position paper on the ban.

Learners discover how to write a letter to the editor that would be good enough to be considered for publication. They include her or his opinion about the story, share a story of a similar experience to the author's or offer advice to...

Students explore pre-reading activities. Through looking at titles, and observing pictures, students predict what will happen in a story. They listen to a part of the story and then write their own conclusion. Students complete the story...

Students discuss and list injustices experienced in the novel "Hoot". They review the different ways letter writing was a part of the novel "Hoot". They choose one issue that is of concern to them and state their viewpoint on the issue....

Students review the information from the previous lesson on persuasion essays. In groups, they brainstorm a list of arguments to use to support their trip to Six Flags. They also develop counterarguments and gather information to put...

Young scholars discuss issues of crime, punishment, respect and responsibility, and explore arguments about causes of crime and possible solutions, and write persuasive essays sharing their views.

Students write a persuasive letter. In this philanthropy lesson, students write about what they would do if they had a million dollars. They discuss worthwhile community causes they could donate money to. Students also research...

Students explore deforestation and cultural mandate. In this stewardship lesson, students complete a KWL chart about deforestation and discuss how stewardship relates to the cultural mandate after reading silently in...

Students write New York Times Movie Guide Reviews using descriptive and persuasive language.

Students explore these web pages to explore how to write good advertisements.

Students create advertising with the intent of protecting wildlife. In this service learning activity, students craft advertisements and write persuasive essays regarding the protection of wildlife.

Students discuss and analyze the pros and cons of using Native American names and images to represent sports teams. Using primary sources, including position statements from Native American tribes, interviews with school alumni and...

Students read "Sneetches" by Dr. Seuss. They complete a story map and write about the topic of prejudice. They role-play star-bellied and plain-bellied sneetches and write a persuasive essay about their experiences.

Students write persuasive essays about their favorite breakfast cereal after seeing how advertisements are used to influence people.

Students read and discuss a narrative exploring how immigrants retain their own cultures or assimilate into the host country. They examine the emigrant's experience in Liberia and write a position paper.