Students will construct their own functioning city. Each day students will add to the city requiring adjustments and planning. They solve problems caused by increase in human settlement such as stacking houses creating apartments so that...

Students use print and nonprint sources of different heroic myths to generate a definition of the word "hero." They conduct a character study on three mythological heroes and formulate a definition of the word "hero" based on...

Students examine what teenagers value most, and discuss the trend of decadent sixteenth birthday parties. They read an article, analyze forms of teen-focused media, and create a visual presentation on their media analysis.

Students hold panel discussions on selected topics about the 1960s and their impact on modern-day events. As visual reinforcement, they watch the film about Bob Dylan and research the music of the period as well as his musical...

Learners access prior knowledge of the circulatory system.  In this circulatory system instructional activity, students participate in experiments related to the circulatory system and  film for a podcast. Learners work in...

Students examine ethical issues in the field of medicine. In this ethics lesson, students explore primary and secondary sources regarding the discernment that medical professionals are presented with as they treat illnesses. Students...

Students examine the conditions of slums in the world. In this critical thinking skills lesson, students compare the places that people live in the world as they view scenes from the film "Slumdog Millionaire." Students also examine...

First off, Newton's laws of motion aren't often taught at 2nd grade, so this lesson may be more appropriate for upper elementary learners. It begins with a discussion and demonstration of the laws of motion, and then has individuals...

Students present in writing their reactions to the given prompts. Students watch some of the trailers for filming online. Students attend a showing of the movie on their own and write a review of it through analysis and utilizing their...

Students observe bird feeding and complete a tally and graphing activity for their observations. In this bird graphing lesson, students work in teams to observe bird feedings. Students complete a bird reporting sheet and collect data...

Students choose a historical photograph or film and try to predict what happened after the photo or film in question.

First drafted in the year 996, The Pillow Book contains reflections of those met by a lady-in-waiting in the Japanese court. A brief summary, historical context, and discussion questions are provided on the first two pages. Then, two...

A great actor has the ability to make or break a play. A series of lesson plans related to William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar looks closely at the choices actors make during a production of the play to help provide insight into the...

Sometimes the most important details of an informational text aren't within the text at all. Teach your class how to read timeline with a set of activities that prompts them to find specific dates and events on the timelines, as well as...

Imagine an entire course devoted to dystopian literature. If that concept appeals to you, check out this course that uses 1984 as the anchor text and includes classic short stories as well.

During this lesson, which is all about making connections, learners watch a documentary about the teenage brain and connect it to Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science, their own lives, and the world.

Anita's iconic rooftop ode to American life in West Side Story is the focus of a lesson on immigration. As class members listen to "America," they follow along with printed lyrics, and discuss whether they agree with Anita's...

As the Summer Olympics are approaching, incorporate Olympic-type games into the classroom. From straw javelin to cotton ball shot put, these games are sure to keep leaners engaged. The best part is that there is math involved! Pupils...

Drama is ever-present in our daily lives and eloquently depicted on stage. Middle schoolers practice writing scenes based on different prompts and frameworks, and then perform those creative scenes for their classmates. The...

How are chemical reactions affected by gravity? Learners explore the phenomenon of effervescence as part of the Christa's Lost Lessons series. They compare findings in an experiment on effervescence to a video of a similar experiment in...

The second lesson plan in a series of fourteen, this plan takes the short story basics a step further. Learners complete a quiz about the story from the previous day, discuss the text, learn about Anton Chekhov, and work in groups to...

Comparing two texts can build a greater understanding of the texts and themes of the works. Take some time to follow the steps here to guide your pupils through the process of composing compare-and-contrast essays.

What kind of animals live on an ice planet like Hoth? How would the habitat on Tatooine allow different organisms to thrive? Connect social studies, science, and Star Wars in one engaging activity that focuses on the ecosystems...

Reading snail mail is a great way to go back into history and to understand others' points of view. The resource, the second in a five-part unit, covers the Dreyfus Affair. Scholars, working in two different groups, read one letter and...