Almost every ancient culture observed the stars and saw pictures in the patterns. Studying stars allowed them to guide travelers, determine when to plant crops, when to harvest food, and the stories surrounding the images include some of...

Celebrate Black History Month with this lesson, in which middle schoolers create an essay about a famous African-American. Writers conduct research online, take notes to write an essay in proper format, and use ideas, text, and graphics...

Students explore the attributes of fables. For this literature lesson, students read several fables and identify the moral lesson, characterization, and figurative language in each. Students then retell their favorite fables in their own...

What would the world be like with no insects? Ponder this question using a research-based STEM unit that encourages scholars to investigate insects from both a beneficial and hazardous perspective. They learn about insect behaviors,...

Students read a biography and discuss what defines a biography. Students choose a biography of their own interest to read and write a report about one of the people in the biography. Reports are shared with classmates.

Students compare and contrast various forms of transportation. Comparisons are based on the the distance traveled and the student's personal experiences with that form of transport. This lesson is intended for students acquiring English.

Students can then pinpoint problems the characters experience and interview their parents to see if they too may have once faced a similar problem. Interviews with family members can be recorded by students in their home language.

Students investigate the plight of undocumented workers. In this social justice lesson, students research undocumented workers as well as consumer boycott movements and write about their impressions.

Students research a frog's life cycle and habitat using books, the Internet and lecture. Students make origami frogs, write letters to Toad from Arnold Lobel's "Frog and Toad" and participate in a simulated camouflage activity.