Students discuss the difference between independent films and and films produced by a major studio. They select an independent filmmaker to research and begin their research from a list of given Web sites. When research is complete,...

Students create and perform a scene for play using a common fairy tale for the story line. They view and discuss a video on careers in stage and radio to identify the roles and responsibilities for each of their group members.

Students identify and interpret both individual families and whole cultures learn about their pasts by collecting and analyzing stories and artifacts. Then they identify that not all archaeological finds readily reveal their history to...

Students travel one at a time in a straight-line path and attempt to maintain a constant velocity. While one student walks, jogs, or runs, the other group members time the "runner" while standing at five-meter intervals along the path....

Middle schoolers examine several letters to the editor from both a local newspaper and national newspapers. After reviewing current letters, they write a letter to the editor of an 18th-century newspaper expressing their opinion about...

Students discuss how each leader was influenced by people close to him. They view a video "Troubled Leadership." Students discuss the two rulers featured: the Egyptian King Tutankhamen and the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman. They discuss...

Learners examine the potential health dangers of mountain climbing in high altitudes and deep-sea diving. They write a health and safety column for a fictional magazine about extreme outdoor sports that explains the risks involved in...

Students describe the symptoms and suspected causes of Alzheimer's disease or cancer. They describe current research projects seeking to learn more about or find treatments for either Alzheimer's disease or cancer. Students compare...

Learners research The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art and Chinese contributions to mathematics using both print and non-print sources. From their research they create an illustrated table of contents for each chapter of the Nine...

Students discuss the light spectrum and light waves as well as how the properties of light and color have contributed to important discoveries about properties of the universe. They research the term redshift and the redshift phenomenon...

Students view a segment of Prosperity and Decline. They discuss what attributes made the empire strong. Students discuss what caused the fall of the Roman Empire. They write an essay describing the cause of the fall of the Roman Empire....

Students determine the reasons for Francisco Pizarro's success in vanquishing the Incas. They research the factors that played the greatest role in the conquest of the Inca Empire and write a paper explaining their conclusions.

Students research the life of a powerful woman of the Maya Empire. They analyze the role of women in Maya society and compare them to powerful women of today in an essay.

Students recognize that in the book The Republic, Plato described the ideal society. They adopt, modify, or reject Plato's views as they describe another, smaller ideal society: Utopia High School. In addition, they summarize the...

Students explore the unique Rain Forest. In this Rain Forest activity, students watch a video about the dangers the Rain Forest faces. Students create a Rain Forest mobile. Students choose  plants or animals from the...

Students examine political regimes of the 1900s. In this government structures lesson, students watch "Fighting 20th Century Tyranny," and discuss the Holocaust and communism. Students simulate mock interviews with the individuals in the...

Middle schoolers investigate the leaders of the Roman Empire. In this ancient Rome lesson, students research the contributions of Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius I, and Nero. Middle schoolers write obituaries that feature the...

Learners participate in a news conference simulation. In this Cold War lesson plan, students research events of the conflict during Eisenhower's presidency and use the information to script and participate in a news conference with...

Students examine privacy issues. In this global issues instructional activity, students discuss privacy issues, surveillance cameras, and national identification cards. Students conduct further research about the pros and cons related to...

Students remember the September 11 terrorist attacks. In this public memorials lesson, students research 20th century memorials. Students then design their own memorials for the victims at the World Trade Center site.

Students examine the contributions of Holocaust heroes. In this Holocaust lesson plan, students watch "Holocaust Heroes," and discuss the stories shared in the video. Students create scrapbooks that feature the real or fictional...

Middle schoolers compare the role of federal and local government. In this government lesson, students watch "Separation of Powers." Middle schoolers discuss the federal and state powers prior to participating in a simulation that...

Students discover the role of technology in 20th century conflicts. In this technological advancement lesson, students research how World War I, World War II, Vietnam, and the War in Iraq were fought. Students compose essays that...

High schoolers examine the Kennedy presidency. In this presidential history lesson, students watch "Resolving Kennedy's Legacy." High schoolers then discuss the provided questions regarding the presidency and write position papers about...