Students create brochures about the humor of Mark Twain. For this literature-analysis lesson plan, students read "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" and other short stories by Twain. Students write analytical paragraphs and...

Students explore community problem solving. In this cross-curriculum literature and social studies lesson, students listen to The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie DePaola and discuss how a Native American community problem was solved. ...

Students learn about characterization techniques in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  In this Adventures of Tom Sawyerlesson plan, students write a description of one character through the eyes of another character and identify scenes...

Students explore songs that tell stories over various decades and create a Garage band track for their voice.  In this story song lesson, students create a video for their song group.  Students present a proposal to their...

Young scholars express the meaning of the Star-Spangled Banner. In this American history instructional activity, students read through the national anthem and complete an activities from a list of choices. Some choices include: writing...

Learners practice framing issues. In this writing skills lesson, students participate in a classroom activity that requires them to look at specific topical issues by framing them. Learners then create collages on current issues and...

Eighth graders investigate philosophy and meditation techniques by discussing Emerson and Thoreau.  In this philosophical traditions lesson plan, 8th graders identify the men Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, their work,...

Sixth graders write a paper. In this writing and retelling instructional activity, 6th graders read the book The Black Snowman and answer comprehension questions. Students learn how to write good paragraphs and how to retell a story....

Students analyze the military, business, and political implications of Sun Tzu's book The Art of War. In this literature lesson, students read and discuss the novel prior to interviewing business people about business practices that...

Students consider the role of the Freedom Riders. In this American Civil Rights lesson plan, students watch videos, listen to lectures, and conduct research regarding the participants in the Freedom Ride protest. Several weblinks,...

Middle schoolers explore the trail followed by Lewis and Clark on their journey across the United States. In this United States History activity, students complete several activities to establish the Lewis and Clark Expedition, including...

Students, in groups, study life in the Arctic Region and connect their own life experiences to the experiences of students in the Arctic.

Students start identifying the cause and effect relationships in games of Chess. Using the internet, they research the history of the game and how the roles for each of the pieces. They develop a skit based on the roles and...

Learners analyze the epic poem form and its roots in oral tradition. In this epic poetry instructional activity, students research the epic hero cycle and recognize the pattern of events and elements. Learners analyze the patterns...

Fourth graders read Cassie's Journey: Going West in the 1860's. In this pioneer literature lesson, 4th graders develop a timeline of the major happenings in the story by creating a timeline. Students discuss new discoveries about the...

Middle schoolers explore the role of protest songs. In this early American history lesson, students research the acts passed by the British that angered colonists. Middle schoolers then listen to protest songs from contemporary American...