Where to begin? This lesson plan, part of a series designed to help seniors compose a narrative response to a prompt found on the college Common Application, focuses on the techniques writers employ to craft an engaging introduction to...

Writers learn about using sensory details as they revise bland sentences with more vivid language. Next, they begin writing the first drafts of their children's books, completing storyboards to effectively plan their writing. 

Have your class write stories. Learners discuss how to create a great beginning, develop a list of characters, and provide a resoulution of a story. There are some aspects of this presentation that could be altered to provide clearer and...

Students research and create a book report on a famous person. In this character education lesson, students examine the positive traits exemplified by a famous person and present an oral presentation for their classmates.

Students compare wetland functions and values, and select those to be incorporated in the planned wetland. They formulate goals for the project as they model decision-making skills.

Fourth graders discuss their success and failures. They write a short essay on what they have been taught about the personal and ethical skills needed to work with a diverse group of people. Students discuss in small groups to determine...

Students explore self-expression through poetry. In this personal health lessons students read and discuss poetry regarding teen topics of interest. Students write poems, that express empathy.

Young scholars listen to the teacher read a book entitled, Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. In groups, students create KWL charts concerning the book, the author, and the author's writing style. In groups, young scholars research topics about the...

Students recognize flags as a symbol through writing and imagery. For this artifact lesson, students investigate Tibetan prayer flags and their significance. Students create personal prayer flags and write about their life experience of...

A creative spin occurs when one pupil acts as author Ann M. Martin. Using a Q & A at the back of her book A Dog's Life, other classmates ask the "author" questions. They discuss the reasons why they know the book is from a...

Dig in deeper with Robert Frost's, "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening." Learners will read and discuss poems by Robert Frost and learn the meaning of terms such as narrative and personal. They journal, collaborate, and present poetry...

Poetry is a very personal and introspective art form. Give your class the opportunity to understand how a poet's voice can speak to them on a personal level, and that every reader can respond to an author differently. After a poetic...

Dispel the many myths and misunderstandings for teens regarding pregnancy. Health students discuss the reproductive system, how conception occurs, and review new information through an excellent in-class game. Some wonderful blackline...

A health lesson presents all aspects of conception and pregnancy. Fourth through sixth-graders define terms associated with pregnancy, label a chart of a woman, and discuss how pregnancy occurs. Some excellent activities and a wonderful...

5 Broken Cameras, the award-winning documentary nominated for a 2013 Academy Award and winner of the Sundance 2012 Directors Award is the focus of a resource packet that includes a lesson plan, discussion guide, reading lists, background...

Utilizing the classic Magic School Bus series, young scientists explore the solar system. Some excellent worksheets are included in this plan, such as Planet Roll Call and Solar System in Motion. This is an ambitious 5-day unit that...

Only a thorough understanding of history can save us from repeating it. Practice close reading skills with an eighth grade unit that focuses on 19th century America, including European immigration into Ellis Island and Frederick...

Henry David Thoreau and Linda Ronstadt? Ann Tyler and Pete Townshend? Joyce Carol Oates and Pearl Jam? This richly detailed plan pairs classic literature with contemporary music and asks learners to analyze how the theme of conformity is...

Middle schoolers take a closer look at their personal diets. In this personal health instructional activity, students watch "Extreme Measures," keep personal health journals, and discuss the obsession with perfect bodies. The instructor...

Young scholars read and discuss a chapter from the book "A Dog's Life," focusing on the point of view of the dog in the story. They explore dog rescue organization websites, and play the online game "Bone Travels On," creating a story...

Learners explore self image. In this personal health lesson, students watch "Prescribing Beauty," and discuss what beauty is. Learners develop beauty questionnaires and complete them.

Students consider the risks of the over-the-counter (OTC) drug use. In this personal health instructional activity, students watch "Prescription for Trouble," and discuss illegal use of drugs. Students complete a survey about OTC and...

Students consider what risky choices may do to their lives. In this personal health instructional activity, students watch a Discovery video about personal choices and discuss the content of the video. Students then play a game that that...

Students survey the climate of their school. In this personal health lesson, students discuss bullying and violence in schools. Students then complete a school climate survey, compile the results, and interpret them. Students write data...