Students complete internet research in small groups to identify types of water pollution, spotlight water pollution hot-spots, and design a plan for water prevention.

This is a simple but effective introduction to democracy. It requires the class to generate working definitions of key terms (provided) and to determine the degree of democracy in various geographic locations today. After they conduct...

State reports can be a lot of fun, especially when the learners get to choose the state they study. This research and writing-focused social studies lesson engages learners in collecting information, essay structure, research, and...

Class groups are challenged to solve the school’s parking problem. Each team must establish ground rules for their discussion, determine criteria that must be met, and brainstorm possible solutions. Next, they agree on one solution and...

Comparing and evaluating various media types is a great way to build critical analysis skills. Learners read about the Vietnam era presidency, specifically the foreign policy established by Johnson and Nixon. Then they compare several...

Ninth graders investigate the basis for the Common Law Tradition. They examine the organization of the Federal Court System and students identify the various sources of the American Law.

Fifth graders list the traits they get from their parents and distinguish between inherited traits from acquired ones. They assess how to recognize influences that may affect body types and sizes and research on the internet heredity and...

Learners research the factors that are important in winning a battle in the Civil War. In a second activity they are assigned the role of a specific type of person during the Civil War and asked to describe what it's like being that person.

Students discover the history of Colonial America by creating a class presentation.  For this U.S. History lesson, students utilize the Internet to research one of 20 topics in which they will create a PowerPoint or other type of...

First graders imagine that they are the President of the United States. In this history lesson the students think of three rules or laws that they would create if they were President. The students listen to a book about George Washington...

Learners are introduced to a five column way to record transactions. In groups, they discuss the importance of source documents when recording the transactions and balancing the account at the end of the month. To end the lesson, they...

Students discuss the types of clothes they have worn and why they have gone out of style. After watching a PowerPoint presentation, they identify clothes that never go out of style and compare them to the fads. To end the lesson, they...

Sixth graders conduct a variety of experiments that enable them to investigate bacteria. They use microscopes, prepared slides, video, moldy bread and pond water to observe types of bacteria and how bacteria interacts with the...

Students discuss natural resources and renewable resources with trees being considered renewable resources which need special attention. In this Earth science lesson, students write a list of reasons for why it would be good to stop...

Students explore the concept of nation building. In this diplomacy lesson, students research America's nation building efforts in Somalia, Haiti, the Balkans, Guatemala, Cuba, Vietnam, and Grenada. Students share their findings and...

Students, after reviewing/defining an extensive list of vocabulary terms on the board, examine/identify a variety of resources found in telephone directories (maps, government agencies, coupons, customer guide section, emergency numbers,...

Students examine the geographical features of the Silk Road and the Tokaido Road in this introductory lesson on Chinese geography. Small group learning is emphasized and encouraged.

Sixth graders complete a Venn Diagram. In this government comparison lesson, 6th graders discuss how rules are similar and different at home, school and in their community. Students learn about the type and structure of the United...

Fifth graders research one of the 50 U.S. States that they were unfamiliar with.  In this U.S. Geography lesson, 5th graders utilize encyclopedias as well as the Internet to research a chosen U.S. State in order to write a report....

Students consider the idea of earning and spending money. In this money management lesson plan, students discuss the concept of saving and spending money through the reading of a story and by completing several activities that involve...

Learners explore sound waves by conducting an experiment in class. In this sound frequency lesson, students utilize a tuning fork in class and identify which objects in class create different sound pitches on the fork. Learners conduct...

Students examine both sides of arguments surrounding given debates. They use the internet and other research to collect information to support their stand on the controversial issue. Students debate their chosen topic. This lesson plans...

Students will explain the ways geography determines the crops grown in the United States and other countries, and the resulting trade relationships.1. Discuss trade routes, both ancient and current. Discuss why the most direct route from...

Using laminated paper cookies, get your class exploring the concept of division.  Read them One Hundred Hungry Ants, by Elino R.J. Princzes, and have learners model what is happening with toy plastic ants. There are many more fun...