Students take a "field trip" with the teacher through the school then draw a diagram of what they saw. They bring the maps to the computer lab where they create electronic maps using the software program Neighborhood Map Machine.

Students plan and implement a change in their neighborhood, school or nation. In this social action lesson, students share concerns about their neighborhood, school or nation and brainstorm ways to solve the problem. Students select a...

Students investigate pedestrian safety. In this pedestrian safety lesson plan, students take pictures of intersections and crossing sites. They access Internet sites and the teacher writes to experts to find out safety information. They...

Pizza is the inspiration for the cross-curricular lesson detailed here. Start out with a poem about pizza and move into a discussion about balanced eating. To close the language arts portion of the lesson, ask your pupils to write...

Students examine shopping patterns in another community to develop a hypothesis on why there are more opportunities for goods and services in some neighborhoods while others lack these goods and services.

Students compare their culture to the Swahili culture of Africa and make counting book. For this Swahili counting book lesson, students listen to the book Mojo Means One by Muriel Feelings. They discuss how the African culture compares...

Young scholars read the "Chicago Tribute Markers of Distinction," and pick one famous person to write about. In this creative writing worksheet, students write about this person's home. Additionally, young scholars pretend that 100 years...

First graders use literature, maps, and globes to explain how physical environments in various parts of the world are similar to and different from one's own, and that certain areas have common characteristics and can be called regions.

Students investigate how murals portray cultural expression. They study the history of mural making, explore its symbolism and design a mural of their own.

Students define ethnicity and ethnic group in their own words. In groups, they view comic strips and identify how the strips relate to their family life. Individually, they write their own comic strip about their own ethnic group. To...

Students explore maps to discover historical information about their local area.  In this mapping and history lesson, students use panoramic maps of their own town/city to interpret historical information.  Students also place...

Students research various planned communities and consider the pros and cons of such a development. They realize that planned communities have advocates and detractors and use these considerations when planning their own community.

Fourth graders complete a three-week unit about Laura Ingalls Wilder and pioneer life. They research the topography of Michigan in the 1870's, conduct Internet research, write journal entries, participate in polka and waltz dancing, and...

Students examine the concept of community. In this philanthropy lesson, students consider how their classroom could be considered a community and discuss how they can be philanthropists in their own classroom.

Young scholars examine their own family history of languages and investigate local and regional resources available to immerse themselves in a foreign language and culture. They write applications seeking an imaginary grant to fund their...

Students examine how diversity within populations has caused problems. In groups, they develop their own definitions of racism and discrimination. They participate in role-plays in which they gather the appropriate techniques to deal...

Students draw diagram of sun and its layers, including photosphere, chromosphere, corona, convection and radiative zones, and core. Students then describe each layer in their own words, define sun spot cycle, and describe solar flares.

First graders participate in a creative problem solving activity to help Ticky get to the Atlantic Ocean. They identify Ticky's problem, brainstorm ways to solve the problem, and develop a plan. They write the steps Ticky needs to take...

Students build their own lemonade stand. In this problem solving lesson, students measure the materials needed to build a stand and make lemonade. They find the cost of producing the lemonade and the profit they will make. 

Who helps our community run smoothly? Read a short passage about community members and helpers. After kids finish the passage, they answer five short questions on the other side of the page.

Your shoes get a lot of mileage in familiar places. Represent the places you have traveled the most with an art project based on a print of Indian People Wear Shoes and Socks by Juane Quick-to-See Smith. Kids trace their shoes and...

Personal correspondence in the form of letters is not as common as it once was. This resource presents an opportunity for you to introduce your class to letter writing and cover topics in social studies. Learners read a letter written in...

Students use the internet to research the history of Fair Haven, Connecticut. In groups, they are introduced to the socio-economic developments and how the area has grown over time. They work together to create their own bridge design...

Students will use this unit to investigate the past, present, and future of the architecture and plan of New York's Lower East Side. Students will research the history of the Lower East Side neighborhood in photographs used from the...