If you've ever peeked inside a middle schooler's backpack, you know how valuable a instructional activity on organization can be. Help class members organize their binders, study habits, and schedules with a set of collaborative activities.

Young explorers study the scarcity and importance of a continuous supply of fresh water in Cape Verde. They research the five main ways that fresh water is obtained in these countries. Each research group prepares a presentation, and...

Ask learners about their personal writing habits, such as whether they keep a journal or a blog, or if they'd ever want to. Though this is not a fully developed lesson, you can use this article and question to provoke discussion and...

Seventh graders read articles about the Blue Zones, life expectancy and healthy and unhealthy habits of people around the world.  In this Current Events instructional activity, 7th graders participate in class discussion of key...

Students analyze and interpret artifacts from the 1920s and explore the Great Migration. In this 1920s history lesson, students review background information about the Great Migration and use artifacts to study history of Chicago....

After a discussion on the effects of negative words, pupils talk about ways they can improve the way they talk to each other. A list is created of behaviors that everyone would like to see in the classroom and at home. A specific good...

Students share opinions about common bad habits, read about behavior economics by reading and discussing article "Your Plate Is Bigger Than Your Stomach," identify goals and strategies designed to improve negative behaviors, and test...

Students view the AMERICAN MASTERS episode titled ALICE WATERS AND HER DELICIOUS REVOLUTION. They examine their own eating habits and determine how they can eat food that is both healthier and tastier. Through Guided Reading strategies,...

Did you know that modern Chinese literature “grew from the psychoanalytical theory of Sigmund Freud”? Designed for a world literature class, seniors are introduced to “One Evening in the Rainy Season,” Shi Zhecun’s stream of...

Students examine the philanthropic actions of Jane Addams and discuss why she is seemed as a role model of being a responsible citizen. They organize different types of volunteer opportunities and create ways to serve the common good in...

Learners explore teen driving habits. In this health journalism lesson, students read the USA Today article titled "Teens Buckle Each Other Up", respond to discussion questions regarding the article, and complete an activity based on the...

Students list and discuss recent commercials they have viewed. They identify advantages and disadvantages of the advertised items, and write about the effects of advertising, planned spending and spontaneous spending.

Students explore the concept of credit cards. In this credit cards lesson plan, students read an article about credit card spending. Students discuss different ways in which people use credit cards. Students determine what kind of...

Fifth graders review definitions of bullying and harassment, respond to real-life bullying scenario from news, television, or movie, brainstorm possible solutions and consequences for negative behavior, and discuss how their peers...

Engage young ones and explain grammar with the folk tale Monkey and Rabbit Together. Using a list of verbs from the story, young readers work on verb participles and proper speech habits. The story itself is not included. Social studies...

Young scholars review the journal of Juan Bautista de Anza. They reflect on his first exploratory expedition into present-day California.

Students analyze visual artifacts from Asian descent and follow the path of famous explorers on the Silk Road. In this Asian artifacts lesson plan, students use their senses to explore and grind spices using a mortar and pestle.

Students conduct Internet research on historical characters in the Anza expeditions. They compare/contrast the Anza leaders and analyze their relationships to each other in the Anza expedition.