Students analyze the differences in similar songs.  In this music appreciation instructional activity, students discover the meaning of timbre and how it can drastically change similar pieces of music.  Students sing two pieces...

Students discuss the reasons for having a budget. They create their own personal budget and explain how the bartering system can work for some items today.

Students examine what they eat and how they can improve their health by changing what they eat. They research nutrition and different foods. They also examine new vocabulary words.

Students create self-portraits using prior artistic knowledge and personal experiences. Emphasis is placed on the works of Albrecht Durer, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Romare Bearden, and Chuck Close for inspiration.

Learners examine the history of Heraldry from medieval times in preparation for reading the novel "Freak the Mighty." They view and discuss examples of shields and discuss the color system and how shields were divided. As a culminating...

Learners design their own mix and match animals, using lesson plan framework that emphasizes transformation, explore differences between clay and model magic, experiment with clay, and shape their animals into 3D sculptures.

Students participate in literary circles to analyze characters, critique writing, discuss events, and  story elements.  In this literary circles lesson, students take responsibility for their learning as a member of the...

First graders develop skills in reading music notes. In this reading music lesson, 1st graders clap and chant rhythm patterns and learn music vocabulary. Students also match patterns by listening to the teacher perform the pattern.

Students identify geometric patterns in quilts. In this geometry activity, students view various types of quilts and identify the geometric shapes. Students construct one hundred patch paper quilts using geometric shapes.

Students create a book cover using Microsoft Publisher.  In this computer publishing lesson, students learn how to use the program Microsoft Publisher.  Students experiment with fonts, styles, formats and clip art. ...

Students explore the penguin life cycle. In this penguin life cycle lesson, students read the book The Emperor's Egg by Martin Jenkins. Students look at the pictures and make predictions. Students identify facts about penguins and do...

Students examine tools and techniques of advertising. In this advertising lesson, students view ads, disvuss common terms used, and analyze techniques. Students are presented with situations and must design and advertisement for the...

Fourth graders explore U.S. Geography by completing a worksheet. In this west coast geography lesson, 4th graders discuss the Santa Fe and Oregon-California trails and the people who traveled them in the 1800's. Students define...

Students create self portraits similar to the Andy Warhol Marilyn Monroe portraits using digital images.

Students read and discuss the short story, "The McWilliamses and the Burglar Alarm," by Mark Twain. They assume the role of the main characters in the story and write a humorous letter of complaint using a business letter format. They...

Students explore literature dramatization. In this Shakespeare lesson, students discuss the characters from the play A Midsummer Night's Dream and construct costumes and a set.

Third graders read Beverly Cleary's book "Ramona Quimby, Age 8" and then complete a series of extension activities. Students explore cause and effect, sequencing, related websites, grammar lessons and comparison skills.

Students explore philanthropy. In this character education lesson plan, students define and give examples of philanthropy. Students listen to the story A Symphony of Whales and describe how the characters helped the whales. Students...

Students explore U.S. History by reading biographical text in class. For this Benjamin Franklin instructional activity, students read about the famous American's first job and the transition he underwent from printing to politics....

Students in a Spanish class are introduced to the techniques of creative writing. In groups, they focus on the pre-writing section of creative writing and keep a folder of their works throughout the instructional activity. They end the...

Fourth graders analyze Abraham Lincoln's poems "The Bear Hunt" and "My Childhood's Home" for word choice and deeper inquiry into the vocabulary he uses to convey emotion. They identify rhyming words and patterns in these poems. ...

Students investigate the law recently passed in Arizona, "Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act."  In this history instructional activity, students watch a video on immigration then work in small groups to prepare a...

Students research midterm elections. In this United States Congress lesson, students use the Internet to explore the issues, candidates, platforms and stakes of the midterm elections of 2010. This extensive lesson makes use of...

Learners define home and understand that home is not the same to everyone. In this homes lesson, students participate individually and in groups to create a classroom definition of home. Learners discuss the events in the story the Shape...