The transition of power between former President Barack Obama and President Donald Trump may be the first political process that your middle schoolers have followed. Fill out the details between these two leaders with a set of...

While humans have always been on the move, the period between 1400 and 1800 saw vast migrations of people between the East and the West. These migrations—whether through slavery or a desire to colonize new lands—shaped the modern world....

Study and research the American Civil War in this explanatory writing lesson. Middle schoolers complete six activities to learn about the American Civil War and soldiers' views of the war. The lesson includes several options to complete...

In this language arts worksheet, students respond to the book The Night Before Christmas by completing an activity at home. Students cut out the pictures on the page and glue them on top of the outlined word they describe in the poem...

In this online/interactive Halloween worksheet, students view and listen to the "Five Little Pumpkins" video to fill in the blanks to complete sentences, use picture clues to unscramble words about Halloween, match sentences and...

Students complete a variety of activities as they study Washington, D.C., the Presidency, and George Washington. They take a virtual trip to Washington, D.C., and visit the National Portrait Gallery, the White House, and the Library of...

Can we learn a thing or two about history by looking at pictures from the past? As young historians view 2-D and 3-D primary source photographs, they respond to a series of worksheets that guides them toward unveiling clues...

Readings of fiction and nonfiction texts followed by a series of activities put scholars in an archaeologist's shoes. Learners read two texts, Archaeologists Dig for Clues by Kate Duke and The Shipwrecked Sailor: An Egyptian Tale with...

The American Museum of Natural History offers a website sure to engage young anthropologists. Learners can dig into a site that offers an explanation of the field of archaeology, the kinds of questions archaeologists ask that launch...

Students read Little Red Riding Hood, focusing on her path home to Grandma's house. In this language arts and geography lesson, students perform a reader's theater, re-creating the walk home and possible routes that could have been...

Every family has a different story to share. Your learning community examines the checklist that applies to the lesson, share some of the teacher's family photos, and look for clues in their own family photos in order to complete a...

In this family picture worksheet, students carefully look over a photo they brought from home analyzing the people and backgrounds. Students record their findings on the provided T-chart before writing an autobiography, poem, or story...

Decode primary sources in a fast-paced activity. A quick guessing game helps pupils use visual clues to understand primary sources. Academics look at a picture of the cotton gin and must guess what it is without other knowledge or clues....

Young historians play the role of history detectives as they investigate some primary source texts and images related to the early colonization of America, The Jamestown Settlement, and the Mayflower Compact. 

Students view headshots of people representing different ethnic groups, draw and color bodies and clothing they feel best represents each headshot, and observe drawings made by classmates. Students then identify and discuss stereotypes,...

Students analyze Alexander Gardner's photograph of Abraham Lincoln and complete related activities. In this Abraham Lincoln lesson, students describe Abraham Lincoln as he is presented in Gardner's photograph. Students read a biography...

Students study Civil War photography and write captions for each picture based on context. In this Civil War photography instructional activity, students match photographs with their original captions. Students read included short...

Students get a taste of New Zealand. In this global studies lesson, students view photographs from the country and discuss its geographic location and features. Students then participate in a scavenger hunt based on facts about the nation.

First graders explore human psychology by reading a book in class. In this friendship lesson, 1st graders identify the benefit of friends and strong relationships while reading the book The Rainbow Fish. Students analyze the images from...

Students explore historical information about U.S. national parks using the stories of Edward and Margaret Gehrke as a primary source document. In this United States geography, history, and literacy lesson, students view the diary...

Scholars study a historical photograph to make predictions of what happened right after the picture was taken. They research a variety of different topics and use primary sources to answer questions about common food, fashion trends, and...

In this animal crossword puzzle worksheet, students use the 11 clues and pictures given at the bottom of the page to complete the crossword puzzle at the top. They can check their answers using the solution that is posted at the bottom...

Young scholars complete pre reading, writing, during reading, and interdisciplinary activities for the book The Legend of the Blue Bonnet. For this reading lesson plan, students complete journal entries, go over vocabulary, answer short...

Scholars are introduced to the characteristics of a legend. They read and discuss Old Father Story Teller by Pablita Velarde. Then, in groups, they write and illustrate a poem based on one of the legends from the book. This lesson plan...