Fourth graders cooperatively develop a classroom belief statement that serves as their classroom constitution. Each student is involved in the creation of the statement. Each group presents their belief statement to the class.

Young scholars, in cooperative groups, research a variety of Native American tribes on the Internet and complete corresponding activities. They participate in a play about Native Americans by Sandra Widener.

Third graders use a variety of hands-on activities to increase their understanding of synonyms. They exchange synonym plates with other groups and complete synonym puzzles by using the dictionary.

Seventh graders explore the concept of percents, ratios, and proportions. In this percents, ratios, and proportion lesson, 7th graders have 237 ounces of beads to weigh. Students work in groups to weigh the beads in a way so that each...

Young scholars demonstrate different algebraic equations using Borenson's Hands-On Equation materials. They work in a cooperative group to solve algebraic equations.

Sixth graders explore the role of rivers in the construction of early civilizations. In this importance of rivers instructional activity, 6th graders listen to a poem written by Langston Hughes and work cooperatively to develop a graphic...

Mount a variety of pictures (fantasy, rustic, portraits, action) on large sheets of paper and post them around the classroom. Groups rotate from poster to poster, adding adjectives to describe each of the pictures. Writers use these word...

Learners are introduced to how to use the internet and send emails. In groups, they work together to send emails to other students around the world. To end the lesson, they read their emails to the class and respond to their questions.

Students, working in expert groups, study a form of energy. They plan a slide show presentation using pictures, clip art, and student taken digital pictures that show the energy type they have become experts in. They use a planning sheet...

Students listen to "Heat Wave" by Helen Ketterman and discuss the story by creating a word web with heat as the main topic. They break into groups and conduct an experiment using a thermometer to record the temperature of melting ice...

How does reading a drama differ from reading a novel? Middle schoolers become playwrights and explore these differences. After viewing the A&E movie,"The Crossing," groups create stage directions, write dialogue, and design sets and...

Students research Brazil's history and note the changes that take place over time in Brazil's history. They analyze reasons for changes in Brazil's history and compare and contrast Brazil's history with that of the United States in...

Learners investigate the economic and social changes that occurred in the High Middle Ages. They listen to a lecture and take notes, and in small groups compose a medieval charter and role-play its presentation to the class.

Students study various objects and determine plastic and non-plastic.  In this creative lesson students get into groups and create a diorama to show the different properties they discovered. 

Learners study the concept of probability. In this probability lesson, students define probability and visit an interactive spinner website to learn about theoretical and experimental probability. Learners use pennies and work in pairs...

Fifth graders investigate the interchangeable relationship betweeen fractions and percents. They discuss the concepts using teacher provided questions. Then sutdents work in cooperative groups to maximize scaffolding.

Fifth graders read Chapter 12 in their social studies book, as well as trade books, and encyclopedias. They identify major events that took place during the American Revolutionary War. Students create a song (groups of 4-5 people) using...

Fifth graders roll different sized cans down an inclined ramp in order to determine if the contents of a can affect the speed at which is rolls. In this physics lesson, 5th graders work in small groups to send each can down the ramp...

Eighth graders are introduced to the workings of the major systems of the Human Body: circulatory, digestive, respiratory, nervous, skeletal, and endocrine Systems. They learn the major organs of the systems and their functions.

Learners complete a set of CD-ROM's to introduce them to the flight program at NASA. In groups, they research a topic related to flight and put their information on a CD-ROM. To end the instructional activity, they share their material...

Students examine the class systems of New Spain. In small groups, they create a five-day diary about the family life, food, occupation, and government involvement of an assigned personality from the time of Colonial Latin America.

Learners explore the Civil Rights movement. They investigate the changes in legislative, social, and civil arenas concerning the matters of race, sex, and political pacifism. In groups, students gather information concerning the...

Young scholars demonstrate their creativity by creating a magazine to express expository text. In this expository text lesson plan, students create a magazine in groups to creatively make text interesting.

Young scholars work in small groups to illustrate a story board of a folktale. They develop the meaning of a trickster as a humor device in folktales by listening to several about Leprechauns and the Coyote of Native American tales. They...