Students explore the war in Iraq. They use videos, newspapers, and other media to examine the circumstances leading up to the invasion, the war's major battles, and the post-war situation on the ground. Students read letters from Iraq...

Students explore archeologists and anthropologists and the tools and methods they use to gather and interpret scientific evidence. They research current archaeological excavations and contact the scientists working at these digs.

Young scholars identify the different forms of civic engagement. They identify their responsibilities at the different levels of government. They also analyze young leaders running for office.

Students view a film about warships during World War II. They discover the job of a seaman and what impact veterens have on the world today. They also examine the lasting effects of the war.

Sixth graders create a Medieval newspaper. In this history instructional activity students work in groups to write portions of a Medieval newspaper. The articles are compiled to complete a newspaper. Extra or additional articles are also...

High schoolers spend time researching online education facilities. After interviewing teachers, they develop a survey on how productive online education sites are to its students. They write a story for the school newspaper about this...

Learners read newspaper articles and watch segments on the anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing. In groups, they discuss how each media outlet presented the material and decide which one was more productive. As a class, they discuss...

Watching Great Performances’ Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival Chicago launches an investigation into and discussion of how the electric guitar and guitarists have changed the sound of the blues over time. An engaging way to...

Pupils organize a newspaper article using a worksheet that helps them study the vocabulary of news articles. They write newspaper articles about mythical creatures invading contemporary Los Angeles.

Have your young reporters research contributions of the ancient Egyptians, draft scripts, and broadcast their stories live on the Nile Network News. Depending on class size and age, topics may be brainstormed or assigned. The detailed...

Students watch the film "The Perilous Fight: America's World War II in Color". Using the film, they work together to develop proper interview questions to use while talking to World War II veterns. After the interview, they research...

Young scholars view a video about different types of music. They examine the history of jazz, big band and rock back to the city of Chicago. They discover Chicago's music scene today and compare it to the past.

Young scholars participate in activities that help them appreciate the history of their local community as it celebrates its sesquicentennial year. They construct timelines, maps, interview, and writing. They use technology in a number...

Students develop criteria for 'Kids' Pulitzers,' awards in categories of writing determined by Students. Each student then bestow a 'Kids' Pulitzer' upon a piece of writing which they deem to be distinguished based on the established...

Students recognize how the causes of the Great Depression affected people and their jobs. In this Great Depression lesson, students understand that most of the time news only came from newspapers. Students write a letter as though they...

Students research facts about illegal dumping sites and write an editorial exposing the effects of the site from their point of view and persuades readers to take action. Students brainstorm ideas that could be included in the editorial,...

Middle schoolers explore the excavations of the Palace of Knossos on the Island of Crete. They create a simulated news broadcasting on the work of Sir Arthur Evans and his colleges. In their news investigation, learners cover such topics...

Students consider ways in which countries use censorship to control information. They examine China's recent abridgement of a politician's speech and consider China's recent history with other nations to better explain why censorship is...

Students watch tapes of televised presidential debates dating from 1960. They analyze debates and participate in mock debates.

Learners explore characteristics of Indian Tales/ Parables. In this literature lesson, students compare contemporary society to western culture through analysis. Learners create their own tales using this genre.

Sixth graders research machines used in agriculture. In this agriculture instructional activity, 6th graders complete a variety of activities that involve farming and crops. Some examples include: answering questions, creating a...

Students identify, analyze and explain examples of politcal satire. They discuss the role of political satire in the democratic process and create and present examples of political satire.

Students view the PBS presentation of Leo Tolstoy's, "Anna Karenina." Prior and after each episode, they discuss plot and characterization and in one lesson, use adjectives to describe each of the main characters. Then, students create...

Young scholars investigate the law recently passed in Arizona, "Support our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act."  In this history lesson, students watch a video on immigration then work in small groups to prepare a debate on...