What does the ground around your home have to do with water pollution? Young ecologists learn about their local watershed and create their own cause-and-effect models of the hydrosphere.

Third graders create posters of heroes and present their findings and what they think it means to be a hero. In this role models lesson plan, 3rd graders compare heroes and describe their characteristics.

What cultural concepts must readers understand in order to connect to Things Fall Apart? As part of their study of Chinua Achebe’s novel, class members research Nigeria and the Igbo culture to create a collaborative, web-based,...

As part of their study of the restoration projects on Santa Cruz Island, class members demonstrate their understanding of the connections among plant life, animals, and the actions of humans by crafting a model that reveals these...

Understanding geography and government begins at the local level. Using maps and the parts of a newspaper, a unit plan introduces the concept of community. It starts with the creation of classroom and school maps, and then moves through...

How are tribal governments similar to local or state governments? After reading a short article on tribal governments, individuals draw evidence from the provided article to respond to this reading comprehension question.

How's the weather today? Elementary and middle schoolers plan severe weather awareness day in this lesson on research presentations. They present their research reports, along with their action plan and any other associated products...

Students discuss how groundwater becomes polluted. In groups, they design and create models of groundwater pollution sources. They demonstrate to the class how the water may become contaminated from local and nonlocal pollution sources.

Middle schoolers use skills of observation, recording, and calculation to provide an overview of years of cents (pennies) in circulation in the local area.

Students reread "The Senegalese Miracle" from a previous lesson. As they read, they must underline as many images related to their senses as possible and share their findings with the class. In partners, they practice chunking...

Students become familiar with local organizations from the four sectors of the economy that help the needy. In this service project lesson, students interview people from organizations that help the needy. Students explore the needs of...

Students interview a hero. In this heroes instructional activity, students read Number the Stars to begin a discussion about heroes and then create mind maps on each character. Students pick a local hero and interview them and then write...

Students construct and maintain a school garden. In this gardening lesson plan, students plan the construction of the garden by writing letters to local businesses asking for supplies and materials; students build the garden using their...

Students examine some of the author's writing traits and then make an effort to incorporate his style into their own writing. They show how richly written literature can be used as a mentor text, or model, for improving one's own writing.

After reading a brief article on the connection between convection currents and winds, kids use information in the text to respond to a series of comprehension questions.

Phrenology, the belief that parts of your brain control certain aspects of your personality, is described in Phineas Gage: A Gruesome but True Story About Brain Science. While we now know much more about the brain, learners use this...

Hot off the press: a mini-unit for class members to create their own newspaper. Complete with graphic organizers, extension activities, and helpful learning targets that teach parts of a newspaper, the resource contains everything needed...

Students draw a map of their surrounding area using appropriate landmarks and identifying characteristics. Students ask for and give directions to locations found on their maps to their partner. This lesson is intended for students...

Students use their local telephone directory to locake information on a service provider.They write a descriptive paragraph based on the location of their service provider and the service they provide. This lesson is intended for...

Students determine exactly where they are in the world by using a local map to write accurate directions to local eating establishments. They write precise directions from the school to their home which the teacher simulates driving to...

Students study vocabulary words associated with community services. They label each community service on an index card and match a phrase with the service. They identify community service buildings in the area on a local map.

Students locate and trace Florida on a United States map as well as their local counties and city of residence on a state map. In addition, they label all the directions north, south, east and west on each map.

What is a philanthropist? We can all be philanthropists! After assessing the needs of the school and listening to literature about how they can help others, primary learners develop a class project and maintain a journal of their...

Imagine a tool that magically engages readers in the classroom. A handbook for Indiana educators doesn't guarantee success, but it does offer a variety of strategies for teachers to try. The handbook opens with research-based theory...