How can evidence and perspective challenge even the most well-known of stories? Through primary and secondary source analysis, think-alouds, and discussion, young historians evaluate the historical narrative of Rosa Parks across multiple...

Logical thinking is at the forefront of this jam-packed lesson, with young mathematicians not only investigating geometric concepts but also how they "know what they know". Through each activity and worksheet, learners wrestle with...

Malcolm X was a complicated man that few in white America understood. After sharing what they know or think they know about this civil rights leader, about nationalism and Black Nationalism, class members view a two-part documentary...

Eleventh graders take a closer look at slavery in Connecticut. In this slavery lesson, 11th graders research the contributions of Connecticut residents who spoke out about the issue of slavery. Students take on the personas of the...

What is satire, and what are its characteristics? A handy handout provides young satirists with all the information they need to analyze a satire or to craft their own.

Learners analyze the epic poem form and its roots in oral tradition. For this epic poetry lesson, students research the epic hero cycle and recognize the pattern of events and elements. Learners analyze the patterns embedded in the stories.

Students identify the signs of a volcanic eruption. In this earth science lesson, students compose a letter to their neighbor convincing them of an impending eruption. They recognize the danger in living near a volcano.

Middle schoolers read a poem and are to write another poem using the words given. They are also to develop a monument and narrative of the bridge and its collapse.

“Compared to war all other forms of human endeavor shrink to insignificance.” “War is not healthy for children and other living things.” These two views of war, embodied in George Patton’s statement and Lorraine Schneider‘s famous 1966...

What's the difference between hibernation and a good nap? Find out with an engaging life science activity that compares the hibernation habits of grizzly bears and marmots. After learners read an informational passage about each mammal,...

Eleventh graders explore, analyze and study a specific genocidal event in twentieth-century history, The Holocaust. They evaluate a variety of historical artifacts and synthesize the information gathered into their own in order to...

Middle schoolers in particular will benefit from this simple presentation. Forty slides cover story elements like the protagonist, antagonist, and setting, and literary devices are also included. Some examples are given, but for the most...

Students use various primary sources on the Internet to travel on the Underground Railroad

Students study the Gilded Age in American History. They present a speech demonstrating knowledge of the platforms of the Progressives and Populists.

Sixth graders read "Seven Daughters and Seven Sons" and examine aspects of Middle East culture and geography. They define vocabulary from the book and map locations described in the book.

Students explore what life is like for immigrant women in the United States.  In this immigration lesson, students study about immigration through reading and watching a video, then share their thoughts and ideas by participating in...

Students examine the evolution of the plot in the novel holes by looking at cause and effect relationships. Using the provided worksheet, students link events in the story and explain how they effected other events and relationships in...

Young scholars examine presentations of problems and reaching solutions in literature. In this writing skills lesson, students read "The Three Little Pigs," and respond to several discussion questions about plot, characters, setting,...

Pupils study the basic disease concept of alcoholism. The determine that alcoholism is progressive and explore the levels of progression. They name the three factors contributing to the cause of alcoholism and explain each one with...

Eighth graders go to one of a number of web sites (provided by the teacher in a hotlist) to find a car they would like to buy if they were old enough. They would then be provided with the necessary information to compute monthly payments...

Students explore the concept of political activism. In this Darfur conflict activity, students watch "Darfur Now" and consider the stories of the political activists featured. Students use the information regarding the activists to...

Fifth graders explore the elements of theatre. In this dramatic performances lesson, 5th graders discuss the structural elements of theatre and dramatize "The Origins of the Season," an explanation myth.

Pupils explore images of the Klondike and read Jack London's White Fang to become culture and nature detectives. In this novel analysis lesson, students analyze the setting of the novel and the ways London portrays nature and...

Fifth graders figure the amount of time before a boiler explode and then the time needed to evaluate an office building in this simulation. They narrate the events as a newscaster would.