Eighth graders discover details about Thomas Jefferson's life. In this early American history instructional activity, 8th graders view a PowerPoint presentation that outlines some aspects of Jefferson's life. Students research the life...

Students investigate the events that led to the Civil Rights Movement and the attributes of the movement that led to its success using the Jigsaw method.

Learners read and write poems for two voices about the Civil Rights Movement.

Students research characteristics of a good brochure. Using the Internet, students explore the areas of the Mission Trails Regional Park. Students incorporate ClarisWorks and other software, to design a brochure of the area they...

Students role play one of the Presidents between 1877 and today. Individually, they use the internet to research the President through official documents, political cartoons and various editorials. Throughout the year, they are asked to...

Students explore and investigate the foundation and history of jazz music. They listen to various pieces of music while creating drawings, develop a timeline of jazz history, and read and discuss biographies of famous jazz musicians.

Middle schoolers list in chronological order the major events in the Corps of Discovery's westward journey. They research goals of the expedition, the make up of the Corps, the modes of travel, the route and the interactions with...

Student discuss whether coming to the United States was good for certain groups of immigrants. Using the internet, they examine settlement patterns for immigrants over a period of time. In groups, they role play the role of a family...

Students read the tale of 'Three Strong Women' looking for facets of culture that create a 'face' of the Japanese people. They create a Venn Diagram comparing Japanese tall tales with factual research about Japanese culture. One side...

Middle schoolers create digital mosaics. In this visual arts lesson, students discover the attributes and history of mosaics in a teacher-led discussion. Middle schoolers use an educational program to make their own digital mosaics.

Eighth graders examine the issue of slavery. In this Civil War lesson, 8th graders participate in a debate. Students evaluate the impact of slavery and war on the country.

Learners explore Benedict Arnold, and how his name is synonymous with treason, betrayal, and defection. Why did he turn on a young nation in its defining moment? BIOGRAPHY journeys back to the days of the colonies to solve the mystery.

Learners examine the meaning, importance and influence of the icon in the lives of Russians, explore the Byzantine influence on Russian culture and the themes represented in icon painting. Students view some of the famous icons that have...

Students read about Woody Guthrie and how folk music often tells of events of the time and can be effective protest music.

Students are introduced to non-violent ways to solve disagreements with others. In groups, they analyze the ways Martin Luther King, Gandhi and Thoreau shared their views in non-violent ways. They complete a sketch of the life of each...

Eighth graders create scenes that might have existed if the American Revolution had not taken place. They use information they have gathered to plan, produce, and present a variety of products from the perspective of a British citizen in...

Students create a landscape painting using traditional Chinese techniques. They review Chinese landscape paintings, paint an original landscape and write a poem to go with their picture.

Learners participate in a lesson to investigate the Japanese art form of Shodo which is a form of caligraphy. They create their own Shodo book as a real experience of the art and communication of the Japanese civilization.

Students and teachers share their individual concept of families to begin the lesson. As they read different pieces of literature, they keep a journal of the activities and problems each main character gets into. To end the lesson,...

Students research prominent human rights activists from U.S. history. They report the biographical facts of their subject along with information on the causes he or she represented. Students also examine local human rights issues and...

Students collect and analyze data on classroom participation.  In this gender equity lesson, students use tally marks to collect data on the sex and numbers of students who participate in classroom discussions.  Students...

Students listen and explore how African-American culture relates to learning Spanish as a foreign language. Poetry, music, and history are utilized while learning about Langston Hughes and Nicolas Guillen.

Pupils learn the biography of Bill Gates including his rise to richness through Microsoft and his ability to face his adversaries in turbulent legal disputes.

Students view a documentary on Fidel Castro. After nearly forty years of rule, he remains one of the most controversial political figures of the twentieth century. After viewing, students discuss what they saw and research the Cuban...