Students discuss the importance of effective leadership in a democratic society. They study the significance of the contributions of Frederick Douglass to America. They compare the effects of political, economic, and social factors on...

Students reflect on the role of prisons and discuss how they believe sentencing should be handed down. After reading an article, they discover the experiences Martha Stewart went through while in prison. In groups, they share their...

Students participate in a round-table discussion about the juvenile justice system and investigate the 'age of accountability' debate. They write a persuasive essay supporting or refuting the punishment received by the children discussed...

Students investigate how and why genetically modified organisms are used as food crops. They identify the advantages and disadvantages of these crops through internet research then present their views and discuss them as a large group.

Middle schoolers research the affects that particulate matter has on the quality of our air and our health. Students analyze a streaming video on air pollution and complete an internet research assignment to find ways to reduce...

Students research why government community workers are important to us. They work in teams to identify and illustrate the jobs and services provided by these community workers. Assessment comes from their Student Concept Maps.

Fifth graders engage in a variety of hands-on and technology-rich activities involving the classification of quadrilaterals. They utilize protractors and rulers to investigate the characteristics of various types of quadrilaterals. They...

Learners discover and discuss the effects smoking has on the body. They also discuss secondhand smoke and formulate an opinion about smoking in public places. They monitor their own exposure to secondhand smoke and create a PowerPoint...

Students collect and record data from a variety of web sites concerning cancer and treatment options. They examine a specific case study of a girl with cancer and determine what her treatment options might be.

Students read essays and participate in a discussion that examines Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s stance on both civil rights and the broader issue of human rights. They conduct research about King's life and work, analyze quotes from his...

Learners develop an awareness of citizenship and how it's defined globally. They explore the cultural diversity of different types of communities around the world. In addition, they assess the rights and responsibilities that are...

Young scholars read selections from the Declaration of Independence, Northwest Ordinance of 1787, and the Wilmot Proviso of 1846. They contrast the maps of 1820 and 1854 to analyze developments in the national debate over slavery. They...

Fourth graders conduct experiments involving reflected light, absorption of light, refracted light, and colors absorbed by light. In this light lesson plan, 4th graders write about the results of their experiments as well.

Students listen to a lecture about WWI, or they go through the WWI project time line in a computer center. Students repeat the above options about WWII. Once the research is complete, students compare the two wars by filling in the...

Learners determine how the content of the U.S. Government enables the U.S. Government to function. They examine the roles and functions of the three branches of government and how the separation of powers and checks and balances affect...

Students explore how forensic science is used in criminal investigations. They learn that for the next few days that are going to try to solve a crime that took place in the classroom. Students are given a story to read about the crime...

Students solve a crime mystery using chemical tests. They review the crime scenario and then become familiar with the procedure and results for two tests used to identify unknown powders. They perform the tests on the crime samples and...

Students practice increasing their movement and dance vocabulary through axial motion and locomotor step skill-building. They work with a partner and create and perform short sequences utilizing the vocabulary their practicing. Each...

Students explore activities that might some day bring "justice for all" to their communities. They assess how justice is a day-to-day, life or death matter that faces their communities. Interviews are conducted to explain how justice is...

Fourth graders conduct Internet research to explore various peanut-related topics. Among topics they investigate are: agriculture, scientific uses, and the research of George Washington Carver. As a technology component, 4th graders...

Students examine the ten most common logical fallacies. They identify the ways in which arguments fail. Students give reasons why one or more premises or conclusions can cause an argument to fail based on the ten logical fallacies they...

Students read the book and watch the movie, Holes. They create a brochure (containing specific information) that advertises Camp Green Lake as a newly refurbished outdoor adventure camp. They display the brochures for the rest of the...

Students examine what it takes to make a hero. The respond in their journals to the following prompts: What did I learn about friendship and heroism from reading and thinking about "I Had a Hero"? What did this story teach me about the...

Students discuss how slaves fought against their situation and how did they escape. They discover what the Underground Railroad was and how it slaves used it to reach freedom. They then play a game focusing on the Underground Railroad in...