Third graders examine how a family modifies their environment to create a home out of mud. They read the book "This House is Made of Mud" by Ken Buchanan, and write a description of their own home that compares the home of mud to their...

First and second graders explore aspects of design. They discuss and design the ideal classroom building complete with window and door placement. Additionally, students observe and note features found in neighboring classrooms as...

Explore the concepts of community and point of view with these activities complementing the children's book Voices in the Park by Anthony Browne. Following a class reading of the story, ask students to either draw a map of the...

How are third graders like rabbits? They both live in habitats and require food, water, and shelter to survive! An educational science instructional activity encourages your learners to think about their own habitats and survival needs,...

Historically, humans have used many methods of finding due north. Using a hands-on activity, learners create their own compasses. They then test their compasses in their neighborhood or to assist with stargazing.

What a model community would look like? Get your kids talking with an activity that allows them to create their own town. After printing out a "fold out village," groups of students use a variety of resources to help them build an actual...

Whose responsibility is it to improve schools in developing countries? How does quality education affect my neighborhood? Questions of responsibility, whether global or local, form the heart of this lesson plan. Using the UN’s Millennium...

Harold Washington forged a coalition of voters and won the Chicago mayoral election of 1983. In doing so he became the first black mayor of that racially and ethnically divided city. Excerpts from his speech are included in a...

Help younger learners develop their map skills with this simple worksheet, which includes 12 questions utilizing a map legend that involves highway markers, population indicators, and other landmark signs.

The music and literature of the Harlem Renaissance defined American culture, including its poetry. Using a poem from the period, individuals explore its musical qualities and how it is reflective of the period. Then, they use what they...

Let there be light—or maybe not. Pupils learn about light pollution with an investigation of constellations. They create constellation boxes and experiment with different levels of light. Observations are then made about the lighting in...

Second graders discuss maps and identify boundaries found on a map. They walk through their school and nearby neighborhood and collect information regarding important features of the area.

Students examine their neighborhoods and draw maps reflecting land use. In addition, they make predictions about their community's future. Students also consider the impact of business and industry on their communities and predict ...

Students investigate the idea of community by taking a field trip.  In this civics lesson, students participate in a supervised walk around their neighborhood while identifying characteristics and objects that make their home town...

Students explore biology by conducting a freshwater fishing activity. In this crawdad lesson, students discuss what a crawdad is, where they are found and how they can be prepared as a meal. Students utilize string, alligator clips,...

Learners compare and contrast the characteristics of plants and animals. In this ecology lesson, students observe the outdoors and describe the relationship among different living things. They relate plant diversity with animal diversity.

Middle schoolers interview senior citizens about life in the old days. Sharing research with their classmates, they create their own database. They use technology to enhance the information they gathered from the senior citizens.

Students research information about their neighborhoods. Uncovering facts about geology and Native Americans, they examine how the neighborhood has evolved over time. They work together to create a timeline of specific events.

Students study the work of Keith Haring. In this art lesson, students create chalk drawing similar to the works of Keith Haring. Students create a mural using the chalk drawings.

Young scholars use rubrics to grade murals in their city. In this mural design lesson, students learn about the design of murals and explore their city to find murals. Young scholars grade the murals based on design and representation of...

Using this activity to explore citizenship, learners evaluate the importance of positive participation in their community, neighborhood and country. The 15 questions in this worksheet relate to jobs in the community.

Young scholars engage in a Webquest to discover their school and community. They interview staff members of the school, create maps and take digital photographs of the school. As they write about their school, they use Microsoft Word...

What role do women play in agrarian economies? How has gentrification affected neighborhoods in positive and negative ways? To what extent has language evolved over time? Learners consider these questions using authentic test questions...

A activity about Kamilah Aisha Moon's poem "Imagine" asks young scholars to imagine, "What would happen if...?" If Dr. Martin Luther King's dream became a reality. If Renisha McBride was a white girl and crashed her car in a black...