Students investigate freedom. In this character development and U.S. history lesson, students participate in role playing in which the teacher assigns recess restrictions including whom they play with and what they play. Students discuss...

Students create a bookmark about symbolism. For this literature-based lesson plan, students study the meaning of the word symbolism. Students read and analyze the symbolism found in "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe. Then they choose a...

Students identify what a role model is and what characteristics such a person should possess. They discuss a new trend in character role model figurines, which some believe perpetuate racial and ethnic stereotypes.

Third graders develop an appreciate for the various cultures that are present in their local community. Through reading and research, they explain how various culture came to live in their area. At the conclusion of the unit, 3rd...

Students read Bartholomew and the OObleck by Dr. Seuss and experiment with solids and liquids.  In this science and reading instructional activity, students observe and discuss the properties of liquids and solids.  Students...

Students practice reading comprehension of an Australian folktale. In this Australian folktale lesson, students read the story, Why Koala Has a Stumpy Tail, before completing retells with character puppets, discussing friendship, and...

Sixth graders read Under the Blood Red Sun (UBRS), V is for Victory (V), and Number the Stars(NS). They examine WWII through the eyes of Japanese, Danish, and American students and complete at least two projects: a radio broadcast and a...

Middle schoolers analyze point of view in the novel Number the Stars. Their writing prompt is how would this chapter(11) be different if Peter were telling the story? Students create a class concept web about pride on the board.

Students complete activities with the book Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. In this literature lesson, students read this story and view the Dust Bowl history from the eyes of a child. They discover the Great Depression and life in...

Students review different film versions of the play, Hamlet, and compare what was presented to the actual stage directions given in the original Shakespearean version.

Students explore heroism. In this character development and Holocaust instructional activity, students generate adjectives that describe familiar heroes. Students view a video clip that includes testimonies of Holocaust survivors, and...

Students study philanthropy and point of view while reading the novel Gentle Annie. In this point of view instructional activity, the learner writes a persuasive letter from a character in the novel. Students work in small groups to act...

Students read and analyze the play "The Diary of Anne Frank" based on the book of the same name. They identify philanthropic concepts and values in the play and discuss the ways in which specific characters actions affect the events....

Students use the book "I Like Me!" to create a context for investigating self-concept (how one feels about self). They have the objective of realizing their rights and responsibilities. Students work in small groups conducting interviews...

Students explore the definition of philanthropy as it relates to bullying. In this moral values lesson, students listen to the book Thank you, Mr. Falker and identify how the main character was bullied. Students define philanthropy, and...

Fourth graders become familiar with the culture and history of Indiana.  In this James Whitcomb Riley lesson, 4th graders read poetry which includes the dialect of Indiana.  Students analyze the poem.  Groups memorize and...

Students explore classroom community building. In this character development and community building lesson, students listen to Hands Are Not for Hitting and generate a class list of positive ways to handle classroom conflicts. Students...

Students demonstrate empathy. In this character education lesson, students read the book Alexander and the Horrible No Good Very Bad Day and discuss examples of bad days they have experienced. Students are given happy face cut-outs to...

Students complete activities with the story Anansi and the Tug O' War. In this literature lesson, students listen to a story, answer comprehension questions, and complete three worksheets. They discuss facial expressions and try to guess...

Students study, interpret, perform, and present various Shakespearean works adapted for middle school Students. They choose a scene from one of the plays covered in this teaching unit to reenact with a group.

Students discuss the idea of 6 word memoirs. In this technology lesson, students explore how using a small number of words sometimes is the best. Students practice using 6 word memoirs writing six words for various nursery rhymes and...

Students inquire about life for pioneer children. In this pioneer period lesson, students analyze photographs of children, make information foldables, and create a covered wagon that was typical of the ones of the past. Students will...

Students explore the role of tone in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. In this literature activity, students perform scenes from the play inflecting the tone that they believe Shakespeare intended. 

Students explore their own self concept. They draw a picture of themselves, read a story, and write a story that has a character like themselves. Afterward, they write and illustrate their stories in PowerPoint.