A thorough lesson introduces learners to Hans Christian Andersen, the nineteenth-century author who created wonderful tales. They read the original texts of several of his stories, including "The Ugly Duckling," "The Little Mermaid,"...

Pupils examine the Aztec civilization in what is now Mexico. Using a map, they locate the empire and explain the legend of the founding of Tenochtitlan. They explore the symbols on various Mexican flags and what they meant to the Aztec...

Students organize a newspaper article using a worksheet that helps them study the vocabulary of news articles. They write newspaper articles about mythical creatures invading contemporary Los Angeles.

Learners identify their local, state, and national officials. They create a short blurb about each official and their function in office. Students choose an issue of concern they would like to write to their local official about,...

Students describe the environmental conditions that presently threaten Timbuktu. They explain what efforts are being made to restore the ancient mosques, describe the condition of the ancient manuscripts and tell what is being done to...

Students examine the Reconstruction Era. In this American history lesson, students explore the condition of the United States following the Civil War as they read statistical data. Students analyze the Reconstruction policies to...

In this Greek alphabet lesson, pupils explore the Phoenician origins to the Greek alphabet. Learners compare Greek letters to current letters and write a paragraph about the life of students in ancient Greece. They also identify...

Middle schoolers explore South America. In this South American instructional activity, students use their geography skills to create population, terrain, biomes/vegetation, and major exports maps. Middle schoolers present their finished...

Students create a visual timeline of skyscrapers built in the past 20 years. In this physical science activity, students research important facts about the building. They discuss the challenges architects face when building skyscrapers.

Learners review knowledge gained in the three-part unit on the history of the alphabet. Using maps and images, learners consolidate their understanding of ancient Greece, the Romans and the Phoenicians, and their respective impacts...

Learners predict if icebergs melting has an effect on the sea level rising.  In this global warming lesson students complete an experiment to see the effects of melting icebergs and write a conclusion on their data collected.

Students examine the U.S. stance regarding the Sino-Japanese conflict. In this diplomacy instructional activity, students analyze the sanctions employed by United States on Japan when they took over  Manchuria. Students...

Middle schoolers examine the relationships between blacks and whites in their community. In this racial discrimination lesson, students make race relations observations within their community and then write letters that reveal their...

Students research how trade in Timbuktu was affected by geography. Students conduct online research to determine the major trade routes, main products of trade, plus how and why trade spread across Africa.

Young scholars describe the relationships between state and federal parliaments in Australia. They identify responsibilities shared between federal and state and territory governments. Students explore an alternative federal structure...

Eleventh graders review the goals of John Winthrop.  In this American History lesson plan, 11th graders read Winthrop's speech and summarize his key points.  Students predict the possibilities for success and failure in the...

Students explore the locality and diversity of culture within the Bradford District of England. Through map activities and discussion, they identify the major forms of transport, people and places in the region. Students compare and...

Young scholars explore Puerto Rico.  In this Puerto Rico current events lesson plan, students conduct a Webquest to answer questions about Puerto Rico's culture.  Young scholars discuss whether Puerto Rico is a country or a...

Read Mary Ann Hoberman's book A House is a House for Me to introduce the idea that a library is a house for shelves of books. Young readers practice alphabetizing in the picture book (easy fiction) section of the library. They learn how...

Second graders examine the use of entry words in the dictionary. In this dictionary use instructional activity, learners look at guide words in a children's dictionary as the teacher/librarian describes the characteristics of each entry....

Students are taught the differences between totalitarianism and democracy. They discuss the historical roots of the democratic tradition. Students are introduced to the term totalitarianism and are told that it is a form of government...

Students produce a play about their community. In this historic play lesson, students research their community and script historic play books that provide a background about their community.

Fourth graders discuss the origins of Timbuktu, explain the importance of its location, and describe the kingdom of Mali. They also explain how and why Timbuktu became a part of Mali.

Students explore the geography of China. They describe the geography of the Taklimakan. Students discover the best route to travel from one end of the desert to the other. They investigate how some of the local inhabitants make a...