Elizabeth Peyton is an artist who creates images of people (often famous) that she doesn't personally know. These images become part of her imagined community. Learners analyze her work, her community of imagined friends, and then create...

Can a neon sign be considered art? Kids consider two different works that use neon text as the basis for conveying artistic social messages. They then analyze a truism from Jenny Holzer's web site that holds meaning to them personally....

Nearly every child will ride in a car or take a bus during their elementary career, that's why it is so important to teach them safety skills. First, little ones discuss why safety rules are important. Then, they go over rules that will...

Small groups create skits that illustrate the different perspectives of those involved in the transitioning of Santa Rose island from private ownership to National Park.

If you saw a person burning an American flag, how would you feel? Scholars analyze the concept of freedom of expression and speech with the Supreme Court case Texas v. Johnson. A short video clip creates open discussion in pairs on the...

Are the joys of childhood really that joyful? Readers take a look at adolescent and young adult anxiety. Activities include close reading of articles and a self-reflection of scholars' own fears and anxiety. Learners then create a deck...

Who was Vincent van Gogh? Most of the questions can be answered in two or three sentences; however, there is at least one essay prompt and one personal response question that require longer answers. Questions call for a good mix of...

“Thou know’st ‘tis common; all that lives must die/Passing through nature to eternity.” Grief, and the response to grief and loss, is the focus of a series of activities that uses Hamlet as a launchpad. Groups examine Act I, scene ii to...

To celebrate National Poetry Month, young writers focus on the role letter writing has played in the development of poets. They begin by journaling three to five associations to a writing prompt that requires them to identify their...

What jobs are the next best thing? Curious career scholars explore their options in lesson plan three of a five-part series. Pupils research job trends and labor statistics before discussing the factors that influence occupation...

Reading the news is fun, and that's a fact! With the lesson plan, scholars differentiate between fact and opinion as they read editorial articles. They complete a worksheet to analyze the information before writing their own editorials...

Young scholars create a memoir or poem about their favorite person or pet. In this favorite person or pet lesson plan, students also scan in pictures to PowerPoint and create a presentation about this person or pet as well.

Fourth graders chart and analyze baseline data pertaining to improving and maintaining fitness levels. Personal trainers calculate their clients' charts and write a one-page report on the findings for the evaluation portfolio of each...

Students explore strategies to help focus on writing a personal narrative. In this personal narrative writing lesson, students read a book and discuss how the author lets readers know how they feel. Students find a moment in their own...

Students explore fats in foods. In this personal health and nutrition lesson, students view a Frontline video segment, examine the role fat plays in their personal diets, and develop plans to eliminate fats and implement exercise into...

Students explore online safety by viewing an educational video. In this online identification lesson, students discuss the importance of keeping personal information private and when it is appropriate to enter personal information on the...

Fourth graders look at personal protective equipment. In this personal health lesson plan, 4th graders identify personal protection equipment needed for sports and recreational activities.

Students explore psychology by writing about themselves. In this personality lesson, students answer a list of questions that help analyze their own traits and history. Students create a personal "All About Me" book which they share with...

Young scholars explore the value of personal written communication as compared to the use of e-mail or text messaging.

Students discuss still life painting and the Realism style of art. They plan a personal narrative still life drawing, complete the project and present it to the class.

Students examine and write about possible career choices in relation to their own personal interests, strengths, and values. They discuss the process of reflective writing, and identify their three favorite activities on a "My Future...

Students investigate personal health by researching healthy eating on the Internet. For this childhood disease lesson, students discuss diabetes, the causes, and ways it can be prevented. Students complete worksheets based on potentially...

Students explore economics by writing a fictitious news article. In this personal wealth activity, students participate in a role-playing activity in which the year is 2025 and they must write an article about their extremely wealthy...

Students create and send postcards to friends and family members. Using actual photographs, they write a rough draft and final draft of a paragraph and print it out to glue onto a postcard template to mail to their friend or family member.