A creative spin occurs when one pupil acts as author Ann M. Martin. Using a Q & A at the back of her book A Dog's Life, other classmates ask the "author" questions. They discuss the reasons why they know the book is from a...

Middle schoolers get a look into the life of dogs-from their origins and basic biology, through selective breeding, and into how dogs have become intricate parts of everyday life for many people worldwide.

Students read and discuss a chapter from the book "A Dog's Life," focusing on the point of view of the dog in the story. They explore dog rescue organization websites, and play the online game "Bone Travels On," creating a story map and...

How can people use simple machines to solve real-world STEM problems? Learn about simple machines using a hands-on, project-based learning activity. First, pupils investigate and evaluate simple machines. Then, they receive a task that...

Students study life cycles including developing their understanding of the human life cycle. They decide where they are in the human life cycle and provide reasons for that placement. They compare the human life cycle to that of the...

Here is a real-life lesson! Learners must plan the dimensions of a rectangular fence to reign in a runaway dog. They survey what shape and size fence is needed and use formulas to find perimeter and area of the fence. They explore what...

I love time capsules. After reviewing elements of pioneer life, your class will create a time capsule that would have belonged to a pioneer in the 1830s. Each person must write a description of each item they would have brought and why...

Students explore the role of pet ownership. In this pet responsibilities lesson, students discuss the responsibilities of pet ownership as well as the costs associated with it. Students discuss methods of adopting dogs.

The book, A Week in the Woods is the focus of the very interesting language arts lesson presented here. After the book has been read, learners engage in study of certain parts of the book in order to gain a better understanding of how...

Students research dog species and breeds. In this dog lesson plan, students discuss breed of dogs, their personal experiences, and complete a Venn Diagram comparing breeds. Students use the research to analyze television shows or movies...

Young scholars explain how dogs evolved from wolves based on the video. In this biology instructional activity, students research about breeding animals for specific traits. They interview dog owners and create a presentation about the dog.

Fifth and sixth graders engage in a series of activities which show them the importance of using different types of measurement strategies. One of the primary goals of the lesson is to show learners that measurement is helpful in many...

Students view the film "Dogs: The Early Years" from PBS then participate in different activities revolving around dogs. After researching different breeds, students select a dog that best fits their personality and living situation as...

A pet can offer comfort, friendship, and loyalty in the most stressful of situations. Here is a lesson plan that explores the important role animals played during the Civil War. Class members read informative texts, complete a...

Sometimes differing arguments support the same claim. Scholars complete a graphic organizer comparing how two authors support the claim that people need to better manage the world's water supply. Pupils also complete a graphic organizer...

Students conduct hands-on experiments. In this life cycle lesson, students are able to observe a variety of animals as they travel through their life cycle (brine shrimp, mealworms, frog eggs and chicken eggs). Students respond to what...

Students work together to research a historical event. They create their own poems based on their research. They share their poems with the class and discuss the historical event further.

Art is a great way to convey or express an idea. Learners choose an idiom, draw it, and use transfer paper to create photograms. They discuss how why they chose the phrase they did, and how they expressed that idea through their...

The Humane Society provides a lesson in which class members explore the issue of tethering dogs. Through the resources used -- a comic, a poem, and narrative and expository writings -- class members realize that messages can be conveyed...

Youngsters search for an animal with body parts for each number from one to ten during a field trip to an aquarium. They count rays, fins, feet, gills, eyes, spots or anything. When they get back to the classroom, they compile their...

Students research the life spans of several animals and create bar graphs comparing this data. Students, as a class, discuss the long term commitment of owning a pet. Students imagine how their lives would be different if they had a pet...

Students listen to the book "The Bookshop Dog" and discuss what happens when there is a change in their lives. They create a class T-chart about changes and feelings, develop a graph related to the story, and define key story vocabulary...

Second graders listen to a read aloud of the Eric Carle's, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and talk about the life cycle of caterpillars. They draw illustrations of the life cycle and compare it with the life cycle of another familiar...

Ninth graders construct and conduct a laboratory experiment illustrating the transfer of mutations. They compare and contrast natural selection in organisms with long and short reproductive cycles.