What makes a good leader? Use the curriculum guide for William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar to help scholars answer that question. Pupils research the play's historical context and other background information before engaging in...

Students better explain a character after examining their traits as well as trying to write a diary entry from their perspective.

Students examine portraits by John Singleton Copley and discuss how the subject's appearance communicates important information about his or her life. They write a diary entry from the point of view of a portrait subject.

Students categorize information into a problem/solving chart and examine the value of using a diary. In this problem solving and diary lesson plan, students read portions of Dear Mr. Henshaw, while they investigate the importance of...

Fourth graders write a diary entry. In this journaling lesson students examine a 1880's primary source document. Students read about a young girl visiting her Aunt in rural Indiana. Students write about what they did in the last day.

Students create a diary of an animal. For this creative writing lesson, students read the book Diary of a Worm and conduct a brief research session on their animal. Students fill in a template with facts and create an animal diary.

Students create a diary entry from an animal's point of view. In this creative writing lesson, students read the book Diary of a Wombat and conduct brief research on an animal of their choice. Students create a diary entry based upon...

Much like the methods of group work, the writers of the Federalist Papers worked together to advocate for their viewpoints against the anti-federalists. The resource enables learners to break into small groups and conduct research before...

Learners research the effects of living in a hurricane zone. In this hurricane zone lesson, students research the impact of natural disasters on humans and the environment, and write a press release describing the devastation of...

How can understanding the genre of historical fiction help your language arts class with literary analysis? Use this lesson to help young readers learn about historical fiction. After reading a selection from the "Dear America" or "My...

Young scholars analyze census data from 1915, 1967 and 2006. They read an article about how the world's population is growing at an alarming rate. They use primary source documents to create a timeline on the information they gathered....

High schoolers listen to a lecture on the geography of sub-Sahara Africa. They then make a poster that illustrates the various landforms and climates that can be found in Africa. Students listen to a lecture on the diversity of African...

Students create a brochure advertising a state for vacation. For this internet research lesson, students do research on a state and create a brochure with the information. Students write a commercial and videotape them.  

Middle schoolers discover how a president spends the day. In this presidential history instructional activity, students research primary sources in order to write their own diaries for presidents that include suggestions of laws,...

Pupils investigate the social effects of hurricanes. In this social studies lesson, students assume the persona of residents of the Dominican Republic and write diary entries and letters regarding the devastation caused by Hurricane...

Young scholars compare the differences between job varieties. For this career exploration lesson, students evaluate different aspects of jobs and then write a diary entry as if they were the real employee.

Sixth graders explore journal writing. In this writing lesson, 6th graders use the published diaries of Anne Frank and discuss the entries in her journal. Students write in their own journal for a week and create a one page summary on...

Fourth graders complete activities with the book Help! I'm a Prisoner in the Library by Eth Clifford. In this literature instructional activity, 4th graders read through chapter 4 of the book and respond to the policeman's phone calls....

Distinguish between primary and secondary source documents using the theme of philanthropy. Middle schoolers discuss Anne Frank: The Diary of Young Girl as a way to study the past using a primary source. Then they investigate how to...

Students investigate the Gettysburg Campaign and the major actions for each day of the battle. They read primary source documents, write a diary entry, analyze the Gettysburg Address, and write a persuasive speech regarding an issue in...

Second graders explore the Egyptian folktale, The Well of Truth. In this folktale instructional activity, 2nd graders read the tale and discuss the events from the text. Students write a diary entry from the point of view of a character...

Students view "A Midwife's Tale" to explain the methods historians use to study the past. They complete worksheets to identify what historians look for.

Students create schematic diagrams of the new Russian space station module. They compose an imaginary yet realistic series of diary entries from the point of view of an astronaut living on board the completed space station.

Discover colonies! Young historians will listen to a primary source journal entry read aloud with a backdrop of wave sounds. They discuss the entry, add historical facts to a chart and personal insights to another. Then they listen to...