Students break into groups of 4 or 5 and choose an option to demonstrate a different cultural perspective in a fairy tale or other folklore that they are familiar. Possible choices are: PowerPoint presentation, video, digital...

Is journalism more or less reliable with the influx of Internet sources? Learners investigate the issues of freedom of speech, journalistic ethics, and social responsibility in the age of Twitter and Facebook. After examining the...

The importance of accepting those who are different is the subject of a service learning project. Upper graders craft presentations for younger learners on ways to include everyone in the school community and to decrease the feelings of...

Students complete cross-curricular activities to study the culture and humanity in Japan. Students read the book Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes and complete social studies and art lessons related to the book as well as develop an...

Young scholars practice correct rhythms and pitches during this short activity for the middle school instrumental class. Objectives vary depending on music used for the activity. Students assessed through group playing in class.

How is the Earth's weather created? Middle schoolers will explain how the Sun's energy is transformed into different forms. They will perform mathematical calculations of volume, mass, and temperature. They they will explain the...

Middle schoolers discover the resources that are available for consumer protection. In a database, they are responsible for entering two new vocabulary words each semester along with a sentence using the word. In groups, they create a...

Students investigate Sikhism. In this Sikhism lesson, students research the different aspects of this religion. They work in small groups to research details about Sikh practices, language, and culture. They design a presentation such as...

Learners analyze the influx of Christian principles in nonviolent resistance. In this Civil Right Movement lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s interpretation of Christianity and the...

Explore online profiles and social media with your middle and high school classes. Use blogs to inspire your class to craft a well-written, thoughtful response to a prompt you give.  A few example prompts are given. 

Students explore the concept of nonviolent resistance. In this nonviolent resistance lesson, students consider how Dr. King led during the aftermath of the bombing of Birmingham's Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.

In this Medieval Era learning exercise, students read a 1-page selection about Bubonic Plague as well as Internet articles about the topic and then respond to 10 short answer questions.

Students predict a future for Gary, IN and US Steel Works. They explain how their own town would change if US Steel built this large of a facility in it and discuss why or shy not their town would have been an alternative to choosing Gary.

Mark Twain, the famous American author, is often studied in the school system. Use "The Prince and the Pauper" to analyze the differences between the text and its video version.  This lesson includes several culminating project...

Students discover details about the genus Ardipithecus. In this prehistory lesson plan, students listen to a lecture about the attributes of Ardipithecus. Students then conduct further research on either Ardipithecus ramidus or...

Students explore an ancient wonder of the world. In this Mausoleum at Halicarnassus lesson, students read about the history of the Mausoleum, create Mausoleum timelines, and research the sculptors whose work is featured in the Mausoleum.

Students examine each level of the food pyramid and how many servings they should consume during the day. They study the important nutrients associated with each category of the food pyramid.

Divide your school gym into breeding grounds and non-breeding grounds so that your zoologists can play a game simulating the seasonal migration of shorebirds. Players pick one of the included game cards and follow its directions, which...

A lesson about following directions tests learners' ability with a tricky scenario that will shock unsuspecting participants. After viewing results, scholars discuss why it's important to follow instructions and define listening. Peers...

Coming up on the Olympics? Be sure your middle schoolers understand the dynamic and ancient history of this global tradition. They begin by recalling traditions parents have passed down, considering their relevance and ways they might be...

Students study the growth of the Phoenix area using geographic images, maps, tables, and graphs. They study the idea of community.

The quartz crystals found in the mountains of Arkansas are among the purest and clearest in the world! This lesson has middle schoolers focus on this state mineral of Arkansas as they study the state's geography. A fun game is...

Students study information presented in the financial pages of newspapers and online sources They learn how to follow stocks online.

Learners identify a wrong in their own community and act to correct it. They reflect on the intersection fo the Civil Rights Movemnet with a social justice project.