Middle schoolers examine the controversy surrounding the death penalty in the United States. In this current events activity, students research the history of the death penalty as well perspectives on the topic. Middle schoolers...

Eighth graders examine the Mexican War and its outcome through music. In this primary source analysis instructional activity, 8th graders analyze the lyrics of selected songs to consider the 2 perspectives regarding U.S. involvement in...

Students review several articles on same current event, and then cover news issues themselves while assuming secret identities of various individuals who have vested interests in issue. Students write newspaper articles from these...

Learners read various sources about a country to understand viewpoints about that country.  In this country lesson, students recognize that different sources portray different organizations differently.  Learners compare how...

Learners explore the proposed Affordability in Higher Education Act. They synthesize their knowledge by acting as lobbyists representing different special interest groups with opposing perspectives on the proposed bill.

To complete a study of the importance of developing a positive self-image, high school seniors complete an "Action Plan for Maintaining Who I Am" worksheet. They then submit their finished worksheets for inclusion in their Personal...

Mirror, mirror. Hook sophomores into the benefits of positive self-talk with a lesson plan that asks them to reflect on the roles they play at home, at school, and in their communities. Class members fill out a “Looking At Me In My...

Mean girls and bully packs are favorite topic for films and TV shows that focus on the destructive power of cliques. High school freshmen are asked to reflect on both the positive and negative aspects of cliques by reading a short...

Is there such a thing as fate/luck? Can one fight destiny? As part of their study of Chinua Achebe's purpose in writing Things Fall Apart, class members answer these questions from Achebe's point of view and then from William...

What can we learn from the data? Young scholars analyze actual solar data to answer specific questions. The activity presents an opportunity for an open-ended investigation of the data to conclude a five-part series on solar winds.

Six diverse activities make up a substantial unit on the women's rights movement in the United States, past and present. A few of the topics at hand: the fourteenth and nineteenth amendments, the Equal Pay Act, the Lily Ledbetter Act,...

Can art play tricks on your eyes, and can a still painting really appear to vibrate? The second lesson plan in a four-part series discusses the way our beautiful brains translate visual images. It highlights the style of optical art and...

Understanding geography and government begins at the local level. Using maps and the parts of a newspaper, a unit plan introduces the concept of community. It starts with the creation of classroom and school maps, and then moves through...

Many know that Native Americans were forced off their lands and moved west, but how did these people react? The Red Sticks faction of the Creek nation opted to defend themselves and their lands in a series of wars called the Eastern...

Pack just enough to fit. Crews determine what personal items to take with them on a trip to Mars. Each team must decide what to take with them on a two-and-a-half year trip to Mars and whether their items will fit within the allotted...

David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, 1776, is the focus of a 28-page teacher's guide. The guide includes pre-reading questions, background information about key British and American figures, and chapter-by-chapter lessons.

Students compare characteristics of myobacteria and viruses to determine which is the smallest life form. They read and discuss an article that presents different viewpoints on the definition of life to determine their own viewpoint.

Students are introduced to the characteristics of an autobiography. After reading excerpts from "The Diary of Anne Frank", they discuss how two people can see the same event in different ways and write about the event in the journals...

Students engage in research and role play to discover the history and importance of certain First Amendment court cases. They act out the cases in different roles in order to understand different perspectives from the prosecution to the...

Students gather information on the Holocaust. Using document-based questions, they evaluate the different perspectives of primary sources. They are introduced to the topic of antisemitism and its role throughout the 15th through 18th...

Students brainstorm a list of the various scenerios going on their family life at home. In groups, they read about different perspectives on survival and identify ones they could use in their own lives. They share their own experiences...

Students brainstorm vocabulary associated with school discipline past and present. They read about bad school behavior, discuss and read about typical punishments. They decide on punishments that fit the misbehavior and role play...

Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the process of establishing the rightful use of workers' compensation. They research the intent of the law and how it was established, maintained, and how people access the benefits....

In this math instructional activity, students develop the skills of looking at problems from different perspectives while playing the game of Kalah.