Students explore the structure and powers of the federal government. They assess the validity of recent criticisms of each branch of the federal government and create pyramid posters which simulate the structure of government.

Students analyze the Fourteenth Amendment. They discuss Reconstruction, read the provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment, define the provisions, and in small groups analyze a Supreme Court case that was impacted by the due process clause.

Students examine and compare/contrast the steps of criminal and civil cases. They define key vocabulary terms, develop an outline of a criminal and civil trial, and analyze the differences in standards of proof in legal cases.

Students investigate various political systems around the world. They complete a chart that compares the U.S. political system with other nations' governments, conduct research on a selected nation, and present an oral report.

Students create a Mississippian-style gorget using clay and a stylus to etch a design of a stylized spider.

Students analyze data on air pollution in Maryland. They evaluate the effectiveness of government actions to improve air quality. Each group recommends actions that would improve air quality on the federal, state and local level.

Young scholars study urban runoff. They identify the urban runoff in a simulated area and determine peak flows using charted data. Finally, they discuss possible causes of the differences in flow rates.

Students map and calculate the area of the school parking lot and then the volume of water falling on the school parking lot. They map the route surface runoff will take to the nearest water body and describe the roles that human...

Learners study the Japanese art of fish painting called Gyotaku while examining the lifestyle of Japanese fishermen at the end of the Edo period. They make a Gyotaku fish print and write a haiku poem using the proper number of syllables...

Students work in small groups to draw the trajectory of several scenarios. They label parts of the resulting parabola (vertex, axis of symmetry). Students complete four stations to explore quadratic functions.

Learners use primary sources and timelines to begin a study of school integration; students watch "Nantucket Rock of Changes," and compare the case of Eunice Ross with the story of the Little Rock Nine.

Middle schoolers research character traits of famous women in history, compare those traits to those of his/her mother or guardian, and create Mother's Day cards, on which they list traits their moms share with famous women in history...

Young scholars participate in an activity to discover vocabulary necessary for website design. They observe a demonstration of website design using HTML code and then design two simple web pages with specific criteria. The final project...

Students prepare for a camping trip. In this camping trip planning instructional activity, students work in small groups as they discuss their expectations for their upcoming trip. They receive and plan for a specific task such as...

Middle schoolers examine the history of the Aborigines. For this Australia lesson, students research selected websites and print materials regarding the lives of the Aborigines and create posters that showcase their findings.

Students identify types of garbage that will decompose quickly and the ones that do not.  In this decomposing instructional activity students observe and record the photo degrading of six pack rings. 

Learners interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this American Revolution lesson, students examine international involvement in the war as well as major events of the war.

Students learn the processes of cell division, both somatic and sexual through lecture. They participate in an Internet lesson to strenghten their understanding of mitosis and meiosis.

Learners examine the history of the black press. In this media awareness lesson, students watch videos and conduct research regarding the history of the black press in America. Learners explore media careers as they read provided...

High schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this child labor instructional activity, students examine photograhs by Lewis Hines and discuss the implications of child labor in America.

Students investigate why some objects float or sink in water. In this physics lesson, students calculate the density of clay ball using a mathematical equation. They write a complete lab report about the experiment.

First graders examine a typical Chinese New Year celebration. As a class, they identify the traditions and values used and discuss how they are unique to China. To end the lesson, they take measurements to make their own paper lantern...

Sixth graders investigate the properties of water. In this life science lesson, 6th graders create a concept map of water. They share their work with the class.

Students read books, learn about the letter s, and eat raisins all to learn about shadows. In this shadows lesson plan, students also go outside and look at shadows and sing songs about shadows.