Fifth graders discover new and interesting technologies of the Civil War. In this Civil War portfolio of lessons, 5th graders analyze primary resources, develop new vocabulary, investigate websites, and create a time line of new...

Students write a letter in the voice of Abraham Lincoln. In this history instructional activity, students interpret the way the public viewed Lincoln during various times by examining political cartoons and images. Students write a...

Eighth graders analyze primary source documents emphasizing young people in factory labor (mill workers during 1840-1860). They study hours of labor, ages of laborers, reasons for working, and working conditions. They write a poem or song.

Learners identify reasons why advertising works, evaluate reasons for its success, and write commercials.

Eighth graders explore advertisements and deception in advertising.  In this marketing and advertising lesson, 8th graders write cause and effect paragraphs describing products, promises made, deceptions caused, and the immediate...

Students develop a budget spreadsheet to manage finances for their business.  In this finance lesson, students use a spreadsheet program to create a budget with credit and debit columns.  There are step-by-step directions for...

Students analyze treaties made between the US government and Native American tribes. In this government lesson, students evaluate bias emotionally connect with what was gained and lost during the late 1700's. This is a 3 part lesson...

Students read and discuss 'Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra: Mixing Treasures by Duke Ellington and Edvard Grieg,' exploring how jazz transformed European music and the influence jazz has had on modern music. They write musical reviews.

Students research the issues facing President Bush and write short political commentaries predicting what course the president take. For homework, they write editorials stating what they think the president should do to best serve the...

Students recognize inductive and deductive reasoning and analyze common fallacies in critical thinking.  In this argumentation and logic lesson, students use role playing activities and specific instances of inductive and deductive...

Students study the problems in their school and work on solutions for those problems. In this writing process lesson plan, students analyze a problem and work as a team to find a solution.  Students present written and oral work to...

High schoolers design and test balsa cars.  In this crash tet lesson, students design and build their own cars to specifications.  They explore the physics of motion and vehicle crash safety.

Fifth graders examine text features and create a PowerPoint presentation. In this text features lesson, 5th graders go over Kagan Cooperative Learning Structures and text features before they choose one to include in a book and...

Students investigate past energy legislation, then write letters to Congress from the perspective of citizens trying to influence the original passage of these bills. Each small group does their research using a website imbedded in this...

Students explore the impact of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court. They research potential nominees to replace her, in light of her resignation, and write letters to President George W. Bush to share opinions of the...

Students explore the concepts of community, belonging and human relationships through an Internet application designed to foster neighborly relations and write a persuasive statement to recruit others to join their community.

Fifth graders study how to read fluently. In this reading lesson plan, 5th graders practice reading and recording any miscues. Students time each other and graph their progress each day.

Students design book covers. In this graphic design lesson, students are introduced to designing book covers. Students develop skills on how to promote their designs to clients. Students then create their own book covers.

Students discover the ideas of enlightenment by reading historical poetry. In this philosophical lesson, students read poems by Sir Walter Scott and Sergeant Joyce Kilmer while discussing the themes of the writing with classmates....

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. 

Young scholars choose a science-related mystery to investigate such as the Loch Ness Monster or Bigfoot. They, in groups, research theories and give a persuasive talk presenting the theory they feel to be most likely.

High schoolers study vocabulary words and explore persuasive speaking. In groups, they support a given argument and generate ideas for a a persuasive speech. They discuss powerful words and strategies for persuasion. Students write a...

Students read George Orwell's essay "Shooting an Elephant" as an analysis for the historical context. In this historical analysis instructional activity, students analyze the main points in the essay to identify its cultural and...

Third graders read poetry inspired by nature. They talk a walk in nature or in their neighborhood with paper and pen and write down feelings and perceptions. They write a poem about their walk and share it with the class.