As young consumers of media, it is important for high schoolers to explore concepts of bias and prejudice, and how they may be present in media. After discussing ideological messages that media can contain, individuals complete a warm-up...

“What’s in a name?” Just about everything. Barack Obama, Vincent van Gogh, Justin Bieber. Famous names evoke a multitude of reactions and poets often use the names of famous people in their works precisely because names carry...

Students use words with similar meanings to analyze implied meanings. In this word connotation lesson, the teacher introduces the activity by asking students whether a new product should be advertised as "newfangled" or "cutting-edge." ...

Young scholars discuss the attitudes related to the word old. In groups, they identify negative stereotypes about getting older and determine how these attitudes affect public policy on the elderly. They compare and contrast the concepts...

Students share observations on the nuances of meaning in face to face and online interactions with others. After reading an article, they identify the causes and effects of internet flaming. They create their own comic strips...

Learners of all ages discuss how conflict can be negative and positive. First, they create a class bulletin board about conflict, and provide their thoughts and connotations surrounding the word. In a class discussion, they ask questions...

Students brainstorm a list of words they use to refer to the elderly. As a class, they discuss the importance of word connotations and explain those used to refer to the older population. They complete a handout and share their thoughts...

Students bring an object to school that is of significant sentimental value to them. They arrange the objects in a class display, examine each other's artifacts and discuss the implications and cultural bias of the word 'beauty'.

High schoolers share what they think of when they hear the word beautiful. Individually, they bring in an object they believe is beautiful based on its relationship to a person, idea or event. They view each others object and write...

Jump back into expository writing and analysis at the start of a new school year! Start with a review of an authors' stylistic choices in diction, syntax, treatment of subject matter, and figurative language. Writers choose a text to...

Revisit the documentaries viewed in the previous lesson in this series in order to take a look at the persuasive techniques employed by the documentary creators. Small groups watch the films a second time, taking notes on two provided...

Students create a water transportation device powered by wind. In this wind power lesson plan, students research transportation concepts after reading the poem "Sea Fever" by John Masefield. Students design the fastest sailboat they can...

Students discover dangers to human health by researching what's in our drinking water.  In this water purification lesson, students discuss the conditions of water in undeveloped countries and why it is unsafe to drink....