Learners consider how we learn about the past and discuss how the framing of history is always done by the person who is telling it. They construct a personal and class timelines, compare two or more accounts of the same event and record...

Students create a 3-D self-standing album containing an accurate timeline of his/her life. They select personal items to attach to the timeline (like jewelry, photos, etc.). Also, they create journals as keepsakes for themselves and...

Students surf the internet for information and important pictures on the person of their choice. They will cut and paste them in to a power point presentation and present them to the class. The student then dresses up like the person...

Students examine the rotation of the Earth as it occurs in the 24 hour cycle. They use models of planets and the globe to make observations of movements made. Students brainstorm prior knowledge and then participate in a demonstration of...

Students identify and interpret the author's writing process and how he came up with his idea for Holes. They experience a moderated chat with the author by participating or reading the transcript. Students also reflect on their own...

Students read and respond to the text, Mama Went to Jail for the Vote. In this literary response lesson, students are introduced to vocabulary terms and read the book. Students discuss various text-to-self connections they made to the book.

Students create their own illustrated book. In this illustration instructional activity, students review books given the Caldecott award. They create their own illustrations for a book and digitally scan them to a computer to make their...

Students create a "handprint rainbow" to show that together people can make beautiful things. In this character education lesson, students are read the book, "God's Dream," and discuss the emotions of themselves and the characters. Then...

Students examine detailed Moon and Earth views provided by the NASA-sponsored "World Wind" computer program. They work in groups to create maps of different scales using landmarks of their choice, and challenge their classmates to...

Second graders research their family history and how it connects them to the past. They identify their ancestors, graphically organize relatives in a family tree, and chart significant events in their lives on a timeline.

Fourth graders discuss the roles and responsibilities of family members in their homes today. They decide what they do to help their families both inside and outside the home. They realize why it is important for each person to...

Students are introduced to how to use the iMovie software. Individually, they write down their personal beliefs and feelings to use in their movie. To end the instructional activity, they use the elements of design to develop and create...

Students understand the stereotypes and realities of older people. In this philanthropic lesson, students in groups read and report on the positive images of older people in children's books. Students address the needs and wants of older...

Learners explore the concept of personal finance. In this philanthropy lesson, students examine decisions they make about money as they discover the definitions of philanthropy, resources, scarcity, choice, benefits, costs, opportunity...

Students listen to the teacher read a book about a police officer and his trained dog and make connections to their own personal safety habits. In this safety lesson, students create a classroom bulletin board of safety tips, and then...

Students explore story quilts. In this cross curriculum literacy and art lesson plan, students listen to the story Tar Beachand discuss the art form of story quilts as used by Faith Ringgold. Students sketch their own "Where Would You...

Students investigate the life cycle and body parts of Hawaii's sea turtles. In this sea turtle lesson, students watch a video about the turtle life cycle and make a model of a "Honu," sea turtle. They complete an associated worksheet.

Eighth graders create an original scene or short one-act play within specified guidelines. Assessment is based upon the performance of student-created scenes during class time. Rubrics for assessment and connection to state standards...

Second graders explore the Egyptian folktale, The Well of Truth. In this folktale instructional activity, 2nd graders read the tale and discuss the events from the text. Students write a diary entry from the point of view of a character...

Ninth graders read, write, listen and speak in relation to gathering information as it pertains to service learning. In this service learning instructional activity, 9th graders read the book Three Cups of Tea and the complete guide to...

Students examine the way all living things are connected to one another. In groups, they participate in experiments in which they analyze the chemical processes through the biosphere and explain the role of energy. They also brainstorm...

High schoolers explore the connection between World War II and Jewish immigration to Israel after the War.  In this World History instructional activity, students discuss the details of what it might have been like to live through...

Students arrange, recognize and illustrate the connection of body movements to technology to injury. Students explore their findings to examine the statistics to their own personal lives. Students focus on a variety of resources to...

Students examine what goes into hero worship and establishing unlikely friendships. They probe the deeper meanings in "'Magic' Pablo" through small group dialog and use a variety of ways to process the story's meaning. They see the...