What was life like for women in Colonial America? What restrictions were placed upon them and what opportunities were they afforded? A case study of Elizabeth Murray offers high schoolers a chance to investigate primary source...

Your young economists will explore the roots of fears about high inflation by learning the effects of rising prices during the world wars and in particular the Great Inflation of the 1970s.

Learn about the concept of specialization of labor with your class. In this specialization of labor lesson, 3rd graders work in teams to produce a product. They work in either a division of labor or independent production method. They...

To understand how the Homestead Act of 1862 changed the US and the lives of the people during that time, class members examine primary source materials including letters, broadsides, and images. They then assume the voice of a...

For this comprehensive reading comprehension lesson, students complete an indepth look at the introductions and history of cell phones. Students research, analyze and determine the answers to twenty two questions regarding what a cell...

Vote, it's your civic duty! The high school lesson focuses on voter turnout and civic participation with a series of activities. Young scholars analyze data to discover voter turnout trends, complete worksheets, and participate in group...

Use these worksheets to kick off a great lesson on The Crusades. Eighth graders will analyze a map and four short passages to answer six reading comprehension questions.

Students are asked to weigh up the potential advantages and disadvantages or re-housing people from inner-city Glasgow in new housing estates on the periphery of the city and explore the impact of new, high-density housing schemes on...

Fourth graders compare how the events in the Charleston Harbor affected South Carolinians versus people in other parts of the U.S. In this American history lesson plan, 4th graders watch a video clip, discuss sections of a book, and...

Ninth graders study how cities affect the environment and design an ecologically-sound city. They focus their study on the benefits and constraints of life on the Northern Great Plains.

Twelfth graders compare and contrast the work of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. In this racism lesson plan, 12th graders read The Autobiography of Malcolm X and discuss how Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. approached ending...

Young scholars examine George Washington's belief in etiquette and respect for others, which he achieved by following 110 rules of civility, and create their own rule of civility.

Students examine the importance of limiting power in governments. In this government lesson, students investigate the importance of placing limits on government by looking at the US Constitution. They look at ways that being an active...

Students apply the mechanical advantages and problem-solving capabilities of six types of simple machines (wedge, wheel and axle, lever, inclined plane, screw, pulley) as they discuss modern structures in the spirit of the engineers and...

Fourth graders investigate the ways in which horses made transportation, hunting and agriculture much easier for the native peoples. They then compare advantages of a horse "back then" to the ease transportation (mainly cars) make on our...

Students take advantage of the qualities and characteristics of art media, techniques, and processes to enhance communication of their experiences and ideas. Then they select and evaluate a range of subject matter, symbols, and ideas of...

Third graders select a product to produce. In teams, pupils participate in hands-on activities to explore the concept of specialization. They discover the differences between a division of labor and independent production. Classmates...

Students analyze the effects of outsourcing. In this globalization lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the outsourcing of American jobs to other countries. Students respond to discussion questions and...

Students engage in some form of classroom decision making and look at possible options and consequences of each decision.  In this investigative lesson students look at different options in solving social issues and can debate...

Students debate whether manifest destiny is right or wrong.  In this manifest destiny lesson, students discuss the westward movement and the role of manifest destiny as they focus on the Native Americans.  Students view the...

Ninth graders examine Canadian natural resources. In this geography skills lesson, 9th graders research answers to questions regarding Canada's water, energy, forests, and wildlife. Students use their findings to create posters that...

Eleventh graders explore the impact the automobile had on Iowans and their ways of life.  For this technology lesson, 11th graders research how Iowans promoted "Good roads" and the reasons for paving roads. 

Second graders study Fulton and his Steamboat, the "Trail of Tears," the Oregon Trail, the Transcontinental Railroad and the Pony Express in this series of lessons.

Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River.  In this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River.  Students document...