Learners study how things are stored and how information is retrieved.  In this investigative lesson students play a game that helps them to see how things are sorted in a library. 

Students increase their vocabularies with the mystery words activity. In this vocabulary lesson, students solve the mystery words using clues.

Fourth graders plan their own activities to reinforce the concepts being taught in school. The tic-tac-toe grid is used to help students create innovative learning activities to generate ideas.

Students investigate the public school system in Gary, Indiana in 1913. They determine how the school system changes according to individual and group needs.

Students create small shamrock replicas using green and white paints, paper, bubble wrap, and gold glitter. This lesson intended for the early-elementary classroom is ideal for celebrating St. Patrick's Day or spring-time in general.

Compare two versions of "The Three Little Pigs" (traditional and Jon Scieszka's The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, told from the wolf's point of view). As your 4th graders recount the familiar version of the story, emphasize the...

students will learn to respect the nature around them. This respect is vital because ignorance of surrounding nature can lead to carelessness when curiosity goes awry. A perfect example of this wayward curiosity took place at our school...

Working in groups, middle and high schoolers describe and discuss photographs depicting working conditions experienced by child laborers in the 19th century. They then write a persuasive paragraph supporting an amendment to regulate the...

Young scholars investigate the concept of friendship as part of a four lessons unit which integrates literature with language arts, family life, social studies, or religious studies. Peace, cooperation, social justice, and multicultural...

Fifth graders research work to research six areas in the life of Adlai E. Stevenson II: His Early life, Governor of Illinois, Campaigns for president, Ambassador to the UN, famous quotes, later years. They create a supply of notecards...

Students create "sticky hearts" in this early elementary instructional activity that explores the use of different media in works of art. The instructional activity suggests using white posterboard, constructions paper, corn syrup, food...

To broaden their understanding of both the short term and long terms effects of the Civil War, class groups examine primary source materials and then assume the role of a family member and draft a letter to a soldier describing life at...

As part of their study of the Progressive Era, class groups examine a 20th century version of "The Three Little Pigs" through a New Era lens and identify how ideals such as the value of hard work, creativity, and problem solving,...

How many treats do you buy each week? Learners investigate diets and how the media tricks consumers into purchasing unhealthy snacks. They will investigate the designs and logos affiliated with cereal boxes and identify specific phrases...

'Tis the holiday season and the Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Nutcracker Prince come alive with a teaching and study guide for Tchaikovsky's famous ballet. Background information, activities, games and puzzles are all included in...

Students identify and interpret the relationships between various components of currency, discusses the uses of money, and provides advanced lessons on making change. They also identify the various ways that money is used and how to use...

Students research and view a video on the geography of the Caribbean. In this Caribbean geography lesson, students go on an imaginary trip to the Caribbean and write postcards and letters telling of their trip. Students will include...

Learners explore the planets and celestial bodies in our solar system. For this outer space lesson, students identify the planets and record journal information about them and other celestial bodies. Learners define outer space words.

Students research agricultural products of the Midwest. In this Midwest instructional activity, students watch a video about the geography of the Midwest, discuss how topographical features were formed and review the agricultural...

Fourth graders listen to a read aloud of a book that provides background information on the Columbian Exposition. They research the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and the city of Chicago at the turn of the century and create a...

Fourth graders investigate the concept of and reasons for immigration. They report on an immigrant group that moved to Illinois since 1700.

Did you know that there are comic books that can help learners discover economic concepts like supply and demand. The format of this instructional activity is highly engaging and enables them to discover how economics can be an exciting...

Famous people in the history of Arkansas are the focus of a history lesson for kindergartners. Pupils identify important Arkansas citizens, such as President Bill Clinton. They create an illustrated poem that features some of the...

Students investigate the geography of the Northeast states. In this map skills lesson, students are shown a map of the Northeast states and identify the state names and borders. Students construct individual maps of the Northeast using...