What is the role of a newspaper's Op-Ed page? High schoolers explore the New York Times' "Op-Ed at 40," an interactive feature that lets them browse through 40 years worth of op-ed features, and consider the purpose and value of this...

Themes in Wildwood Dancing, Juliet Marillier's young adult fantasy novel, are the focus of an anticipation guide that asks individuals to agree or disagree with a series of statements.

Students describe and contrast life as it was in colonial days. They plan, compose, and produce a student movie. They reflect on what they have learned. They share their experience with others in digital format.

How do events reported in mainstream newspapers, on television news, blog posts, and social network sites differ? Ask your class to investigate the way the same news item is presented in the many information sources available. Groups...

Students discuss the factors that influenced them to purchase a particular item. They work together to read and identify incentives of a character. They view a video on the topic as well.

Students participate in the paper vs. plastic bag debate, then read a news article about one grocery store that is banning plastic bags. In this current events lesson plan, the teacher introduces the news article with a debate and a...

Students explore the concept of grants. For this philanthropy lesson, students meet a grant-writer and then collaborate to prepare a grant request.

Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River.  In this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River.  Students document...

Fifth graders demonstrate how to cite sources when writing a research paper. In this research writing lesson plan, 5th graders view a demonstration on how to cite sources using an included graphic organizer. Students practice citing...

Students explore cultural diversity. In this cultural awareness lesson, students examine the similarities and differences in various cultures and discuss the value of these differences.

First graders simulate the signing of the constitution. In this American history lesson plan, 1st graders take on the roll of newspaper reporters during 1787. Students must pretend to interview signers of the constitution and create a...

Students discuss how people are reducing their fuel consumption, then read a news article about a new bike-sharing program in Washington, D.C. In this current events and alternative transportation activity, the teacher introduces the...

Who gets to vote? Learn more about struggles for suffrage throughout United States history with a lesson based on primary source documents. Middle schoolers debate the importance of women's suffrage and African American...

Third graders develop an appreciate for the various cultures that are present in their local community. Through reading and research, they explain how various culture came to live in their area. At the conclusion of the unit, 3rd...

Students study the characteristics of a folk group, themselves and their folk groups, and write about a folk group that is meaningful to them. They identify various folk groups within the school community and discover that everyone,...

Young scholars discuss and research arguments about philanthropy. In this persuasive speech writing lesson, students choose a needed project for the community and present the reasons for the project through an original persuasive speech....

Learners examine the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi. In this current events instructional activity, students read a press release from Burma's leader and discuss the impact the she has had on the people of her nation.

Students, in small groups, simulate an ancient civilization and the art they created, another group represents vandals, and the final group represents archaeologists who try to figure out what life was like for the "ancient peoples". ...

Students discuss careers and gender equity in each career.  In this gender equity lesson plan, students research a job of interest and the resources available to help them work in that career. Students present an group report orally.

Investigate national unity in a month-long lesson. After creating "I am from" poems, 5th graders will construct accordion flip books, listing and illustrating reasons for settlement. Choosing illustrations, essays, or Powerpoint...

Second graders study the Constitution. They examine the meaning and fundamentals of the Preamble of The Constitution of USA. They assess the importance of having a Supreme Law that states the rights and obligations of the citizens. They...

Students examine the prevalence of cyberbullying. In this character education lesson, students read articles about cyberbullying and its implications. Students respond to discussion questions.

Students explore population and come to understand how it changes over time. For this census lesson, students discover what population is and how it changes as they participate in age-appropriate activities.

Students discover how scientific methods are integral to the creation of energy. In this energy resources instructional activity, students follow the provided procedures to learn how science impacts energy production.