Explore the concept of make believe stories. For this genres of literature lesson, learners discover the difference between realistic fiction and fantasy. They are asked questions during and after the reading of a book to ensure the...

You wouldn't give someone a 10-day timeout for eating a piece of candy. The US government, too, does not believe in unreasonable punishment. A variety of exercises exploring the clauses of the US Constitution prompts class members to...

Finished your novel? What’s next? Designing the book cover, of course. But how to begin? After examining the covers of published books and noting the common elements of these jackets, young novelists design a front and back cover for...

Could saving really harm the economy? Discover the paradox of thrift and how decreases in consumption can affect economic recovery and various markets and industries.

Who used to have the right to vote in the United States? Who has the right to vote now? Amendments to the US Constitution that have changed the definition of eligible voters are the focus of a one-page worksheet that asks class members...

Though Abraham Lincoln's life was tragically cut short, it was filled with accomplishments and inspiring moments that continue to influence American democracy. Explore the ways the 16th president of the United States made his way from a...

Was there a baby boom? Using census data, class members take a look at the number of 8-11 year olds and determine their birth years. Scholars create a double line graph to compare the number of births for two states for several years....

Introduce class members to Gandhi's non-violent, non-cooperative ideas with Richard Attenborough's 1982 bio-epic. The film traces the experiences that gave shape to Gandhi's ideas and the actions that eventually lead to the end of...

Get everyone up and participating! High schoolers reading Mythology, by Edith Hamilton, complete a graphic organizer independently, and then record one of their thoughts on the white board for a silent discussion. Decide how you're going...

Individuals complete a pre-assessment to gauge their ability to determine the main idea and supporting details in nonfiction text. They examine a new piece of nonfiction reading by looking at the table of contents, headings, and index...

Help your class transition into better writers with this lesson, which guides them through the process of adding transitions to increase sentence fluency and organization. The activity is designed for a classroom with a SMART board, but...

Set the stage for a study of The Diary of a Young Girl with a resource that includes background information about Anne Frank's early years, the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands, her Secret Annex hiding place, and her capture and...

Whether out of choice or necessity, people want to know what will happen on a typical day in court. A helpful lesson walks scholars in the field of criminology through the trial process from opening statements to the final verdict. 

Santa sure is fast. In the assessment task, learners calculate the number of minutes Santa can spend at each house. This calculation requires the use of given population demographics data.

Start your engines! Prevent negative car buying experiences by arming pupils with information. Prepare your young drivers to make informed decisions when they are ready to purchase a car. All aspects are considered from the type of car...

Do you have a search warrant? Scholars investigate the concept of illegal search and seizure through the eyes of the Supreme Court case Mapp v. Ohio. A short video clip along with paired group work opens discussion on the concept of how...

Students complete writing activities for fiction. In this fiction writing lesson, students complete four sets of activities in a writer's workshop format to practice reading and writing in a fiction style. Students develop plot outlines,...

Students are read Dandelion, by Don Freeman. In this vocabulary focused lesson, students discover the definitions of at least three Tier Two words. They discuss the meanings of the words, as a group, both before and after the story is...

Pupils are read Gregory the Terrible Eater, by Mitchell Sharmat. In this vocabulary focused lesson, students discover the meaning of four new words. They discuss the meanings of the words, as a group, both before and after the story is...

Students are read I Love You the Purplest, by Barbara Joosse. In this vocabulary focused lesson, students discover the definitions of at least three "Tier Two" words. As a group, they discuss the meanings of the words both before and...

Learners are read Into the A, B, Sea, by Deborah Lee Rose. In this vocabulary focused lesson, students discover the definitions of at least three Tier Two words. They discuss the meanings of the words, as a group, both before and after...

Students are read Julius, the Baby of the World, by Kevin Henkes. In this vocabulary focused lesson plan, students discover the definitions of seven new words. They discuss the meanings of the words, as a group, before and after the...

Third graders write about a photograph they have that represents friendship. In this friendship lesson plan, 3rd graders also read a book about friendship.