Students make a list of human accomplishments and how those accomplishments are honored. Next, they determine people in their families, school and community who display qualities that deserve to be recognized such as bravery and...

The Gold Medal Attitudes Running Club was created to promote healthy living for your elementary school pupils. Use a pedometer and a computer program to keep track of progress. A few other suggestions are available, but it's really up to...

Imagine using a six-sided cube to encourage readers to analyze a topic in greater depth. Create a cube, label each of the six sides with one of Bloom's comprehension levels, and you're ready to launch a discussion of a text....

Students investigate positive female role models. In this Women's History Month lesson, students read the book Mama Went to Jail for the Vote and think about how the character was a role model for other women. Students brainstorm a woman...

During an Olympics year, the world joins together to celebrate athleticism, patriotism, and history. Learn about the Olympiads of the 20th century with a research project in which groups research one year's Olympic Games. They note the...

As part of their study of Out of the Dust, readers create a biopoem for one of the characters in Karen Hesse's 1998 Newbery Medal winning verse novel.

A K-W-H-L chart is a great way to scaffold prior knowledge. As class members begin their reading of Out of the Dust, Karen Hesse’s 1998 Newbery Medal winning verse novel, they chart what they already know about the Great Depression...

Students explore types of awards for children's books. They design a new award. Students review books and select one to receive the newly designed award. Students create a "medal" for the book jacket. They write an explanation of the award.

Students examine the accomplishments of Nobel Prize winners and create a replica of the Nobel Prize medallion. They conduct research on people who have received the Nobel Prize and an individual they think might qualify for one in the...

Activist, feminist, and labor organizer Dolores Huerta are perhaps best known for her work with Cesar Chavez to create the United Farm Workers. Class members explore primary source documents to learn more about this Medal of Freedom winner.

To prepare for a reading of Out of the Dust, Karen Hesse’s 1998 Newbery Medal winning verse novel, class members complete an anticipation guide that focuses attention on themes readers will encounter in the novel.

Learners discover the American Medal of Freedom, also known as the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Using the internet, groups of students research the history of the award, its recipients, and its origin. Each group prepares a PowerPoint...

Third graders examine the significance of the Louisiana Purchase and the journey of Lewis and Clark, and discuss "needs" versus "wants". They listen to a story, plan for a journey like Lewis and Clark, create a list of supplies, and...

Students study the criteria used to select notable book awards, including the Caldecott Medal and the Newbery Medal. Then they develop their own Class Book Awards to bestow upon favorite books in the classroom library. They decide on...

Help readers understand the roles of authors and illustrators and why they have been recognized by medals of excellence. Your class will discuss and then create illustrations for a book. When they have finished, you can hold your own...

Students identify the basic freedoms of citizens in the United States.  In this Bill of Rights lesson, students act out scenarios about the Bill of Rights.  Students create a picture book describing the rights they've acted out.

Students discuss various features of a book, aspects of the story, and then engage in a retelling of the story. In this early childhood lesson plan, students identify the author, illustrator, and title of a book, Joseph Had a Little...

Students discuss the Presidential Medal of Freedom and create pamphlets about recvipients, including artwork depicting reasons for receiving the medals. They write essays about someone they think should be awarded the medal.

Students create a class peace medal to present to another grade/class as a symbol of friendship between the two groups of students. Then they write an explanation of what the purpose of the peace medal is and how it relates to Lewis and...

Middle schoolers read the sports section of the daily newspaper to find daily totals of what countries have won medals and find articles to keep in their journal (notebook) on the different events and athletes. They then create a...

Enhance a reading of the Caldecott Medal-winning children's book Joseph had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback with this collection of learning activities. Starting with general background information about the book and author,...

Students research countries participating in the Olympic Games. They create a database which includes graphs for comparing population density, the number of athletes, per capita income, etc. for each country. This project is completed...

Spruce up a class reading of the children's book Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback with this fun series of activities. Starting with a list of reading comprehension questions and key vocabulary to address during a teacher...

Students create a class book award. In this book award lesson plan, students review the book awards already created (Caldecott or Newbery) and look at books that have received these awards. They come up with their own award and nominate...