By utilizing a graphic organizer called a bubble map, young readers work toward developing their vocabulary. After reading a story, a word that has something to do with the story is put in the middle circle. Then, other words that have...

Fourth graders take a field trip to a mill, identify the parts of a mill, what was produced there, and what types of occupations were associated with a mill. They write an essay detailing the reasons they would or wouldn't like to have...

After a class discussion on strategies pupils can use to pre-write, learners are given a topic which they use to guide them in selecting a book to read. Everyone uses a worksheet, embedded in the plan, to write down information from the...

Students examine the role of slavery in the United States. In this American history lesson, students watch segments of the video "Slavery and the Making of America." Students conduct further research pertaining to Thomas Jefferson,...

Middle schoolers use maps to locate Virginia, its surrounding states and Fairfax County. Individually, they describe the absolute and relative location of the county and why it is important to know both. As a class, they brainstorm the...

Sixth graders study how geography influenced the westward migration of Virginians. They review the settlement patterns of early Virginians before discussing reasons why people move away from an area. Looking at maps, they determine how...

Pupils examine the life of John Marshall, his house and his way of life. They analyze his values and how his private life affected his public life. They also examine historical sites that commemorate notable deeds.

What was life like for enslaved and free black people before the American Civil War? Explore the building tension between states and the freedom of individuals with a thorough social studies lesson. Learners of all ages explore...

High schoolers examine how Earth's rotation causes daily cycles in solar energy using a microset of satellite data to investigate the Earth's daily radiation budget and locating map locations using latitude and longitude coordinates.

Using the NASA website, class members try to determine if changes could be detected in cloud cover, temperature, and/or radiation measurements due to the lack of contrails that resulted from the halt in air traffic after the attacks...

Students read and analyze primary source documents. For this matching lesson, students read sections of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. Students match the document sections with paraphrased sections and discuss the accuracy...

Sixth graders examine the effects of geography on the development of culture. They discuss how geography can affect the lifestyles and development of a society's culture. Students examine the geography and climate of New England and the...

Fifth graders examine the design of the Maine quarter reverse and identify the objects depicted. They compare the settlement at Popham, Maine with that at Jamestown, Virginia.They write journal entries and draw pictures about the Maine...

Students analyze the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedoms and consider its implications. In this governing principles lesson, students explore primary and secondary sources regarding the document penned by Thomas Jefferson.

First graders listen to comprehend and to obtain new information regarding Virginia Dare, Sir Walter Raleigh and the Lost Colony. They construct a booklet of facts to recall the lesson.

Sixth graders locate and identify the major bodies of water and waterways in the United States. Through a simulation activity, they describe how early explorers would have described their surroundings. Working in groups, they create...

Students examine the relationship between altitude, atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity at a particular location. They practice science and math in real world applications. They write reports detailing their scientific...

The Anasazi Indians of Mesa Verde are the focus of this art and social studies instructional activity. Working in pairs or groups of three, middle schoolers utilize computers and go online to search for websites about the Anasazi....

Students practice determining map distances using the map scales. They discover how much an area represents on the map in relation to the actual area. They decide on the best place to build their cavern.

Students participate in physical activities coordinating to divisions on a map.

Students consider their perceptions of the world through their 5 senses while visiting the West Virginia State Museum. In this West Virginia history instructional activity, students discover how knowing about the past helps with their...

Third graders locate several important American colonial cities on a map and research how their proximity to water and nearby arable land affected the rate and success of settlement.

Students use authentic satellite data to produce plots and graphs of sea surface temperature as they explore the seasonal changes of the Gulf Stream.

Students create and analyze graphs using archived atmospheric data to compare the ozone levels of selected regions around the world.