Fifth graders investigate the importance of government by conducting a debate.  In this U.S. Government instructional activity, 5th graders utilize their classroom as the setting for a two sided debate based on whether government is...

Eleventh graders explore a variety of different cultures and their traditions. They complete an evaluation and short reflection of the day on the following prompts: I learned I... and I wish I... Each student then observes and talks with...

Students use common and unusual objects to make observations of details, design, and functionality. They describe and draw each object while working in small groups. The differences between observation and perception is covered as part...

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Learners go to the heart of the causes of the American Revolution. Examining political cartoons, Enlightenment documents, and firsthand accounts, they present their ideas and reflective...

Students explore perspectives. In this diversity lesson, students examine cultural perspectives and world views as they complete activities that challenge them to compare American norms to norms of other cultures.

Five important tenets of any social studies class are available for young historians with a poster that defines history as an account of the past. It encourages learners to question reliability of an author's perspective, as well as...

Your class hears a Native American Indian point of view of Europeans' arrival in Louisiana. They assess how cultural perspectives (especially an insider's view) and native language can shape a story. Each pupil identifies the...

Give a little clue! Readers learn how context clues can help them determine the meaning of words by viewing a Context Clues Resource sheet then completing a Context Clues practice sheet. They then compare events presented by two...

Everyone enjoys a good mystery. Learners create essays explaining how a mystery gives meaning to a novel or play of their choice. They also examine the use of literary elements of diary entries in The Spectator. A third essay question...

Let's make some sense of those thoughts! Scholars continue thinking about the different perspectives on Pearl Harbor. They analyze quotes from War in the Pacific, Day of Infamy, and Fourteen-Part Message. Readers tape each quote to chart...

In this exercise in perspectives, students are required to analyze a topic by completing six different activities. Students can work in groups, pairs or independently to complete the activity.

Twelfth graders explore values in global perspectives. They discuss values in popular films and complete a timeline of their personal, societal, and key events. They design a photograph that reflects the concept of values. They create...

Young scholars watch a video clip from "The Path to 9/11" and write a summary of one of the events depicted. Next, they read the 9/11 Commission Report to compare information from the report to that of the media clip. They chose one more...

In this lesson, Events Reactions Feelings, students analyze different events and how they feel. Students compare their feelings or reactions to a particular event with those of their classmates. Students consider why people react, feel...

High schoolers debate the causes of the American Revolution. In this American history lesson, students conduct research to determine how bias and perspective have made their way into historical documents. High schoolers...

Students examine the effects of an urban setting on the development of male adolescence. After watching a film, they identify the problems in the relationship of the characters. They discuss the impact of becoming a teenage father and...

Students examine the Sons of Liberty. In this lesson on British rule, students analyze terrorism vs. patriotism through a variety of different perspectives. This lesson includes instruction, assessment, Internet resources, and activities.

Communicating clearly is one part of a successful conversation, but listening to others is just as important. Individuals with special needs plan calm responses and reactions to differing opinions with a collaborative activity.

For this latitude and longitude worksheet, students complete 10 matching questions identifying key features or locations on a map. Students also use lines of latitude and longitude to identify the time in 4 different places.

Was the Scopes trial more complicated than a simple debate between evolutionists and creationists? As part of a structured academic controversy (SAC) activity, pupils consider multiple perspectives of the Butler Act and engage in close...

Encourage learners to develop greater self-awareness and an understanding of perception versus reality. Here you'll find a life skills lesson that includes worksheets, discussion, and brainstorming activities on the topic of how we see...

Cinderella is a classic love story when Cinderella is the protagonist—but what happens if a stepsister tells the story? Focus on point of view with a instructional activity about fairy tales and story elements. After reading a few...

Study historical events by combining the study of historical fiction and non-fiction. Learners read about true past events in historical fiction novels and then research non-fiction accounts of the same events. What are some differences...

Every culture has its own stories to tell. An interesting educator's guide shares a large collection of fairytales and folktales, some from different cultures and some re-creations of classics. A summary and brief teaching ideas...