Learners become immersed in a compelling anecdote of the civil rights movement through the experience of constructing dramatic scripts. An added goal is to equip students, through this "hands-on" experience, to critique dramatic...

Students list five food dishes that are part of their family's heritage. Each student then does research of a country and a recipe (possibly a family recipe). With the help of members of his/her kitchen group, the student prepares the dish.

Students experience a dance club-like environment one would find in Haring's 1980's. They dress in 80's clothes and learn break dancing moves. They relate the experience to Haring's artwork and explain his influences.

Students use photographs of bridges to learn how to write well.

Seventh graders read the novel, Lyddie, while studying the reform movement. They complete assignments for each chapter and write essays about Lyddie's development through the novel.

Students consider a variety of well-known proverbs that refer to the weather. They research the scientific validity of these proverbs, conduct interviews about public perception of the proverbs and summarize their findings in writing.

Students examine the ideas of Lincoln and Douglass. In groups, they compare and contrast writings from each man and how they formed the nation with their ideas. After watching "Glory", they discuss how people like Lincoln and Douglass...

Students discuss, examine and appreciate the science and inspiration of flight. They study the terms and mechanics of powered flight and demonstrate that the heating of air makes it lighter and therefore rise. They discuss and...

Young scholars view clips of Anna Deavere Smith's work. They interview people on video or audiotape to learn their lines, dialect, and syntax to assist them in theater. They create a play which emulates the people in which they...

Students research what the exchange was between the various Native American groups and Lewis and Clark. They are able to write reflections after truly considering the issue with the help of research.

Students examine the lives of students in war torn countries. After reading case studies, they work together to answer discussion questions. They review the roles of the Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International and develop a museum...

Second graders work in groups in order to look at specific internet sites for animal adoption and sponsorship. They select an endangered species, determine needed funds, develop, advertise, and carry out a fund-raising plan.

Students read and reflect on statements made by the Dalai Lama and discuss with cooperative group members what they believe is meant by the statement and how to report this information the rest of the class. They take turns presenting...

Twelfth graders study Thoreau as "philosopher" and developing a personal philosophy of life (both metaphorically and literally). They come to an understanding of the interconnectedness of the natural world. Students come to a realization...

Young scholars create an individual portfolio using assignments from a unit on the character of Maine. They choose two of the best assignments from each of four chapters studied and then write an essay or create a magazine which...

Seventh graders explore the progression of immigration patterns in the United States. They examine how immigrants perceived and adapted to the United States culture. Students discuss how immigrants were able to perserve their culture in...

Learners recreate characters from the story, "The Fairytale Cake." In this fairy tale characterization activity, students first listen to fairy tales read aloud. They then use play dough and plastic bowls as pretend "cakes and icing",...

Understanding the context of modernism is important for learners before they analyze modernist texts themselves. To that end, this is a three-activity curriculum unit: 1."Understanding the Context of Modernist Poetry;" 2. "Thirteen Ways...

This lesson explains how analyzing poetry is a many-layered process. This lesson introduces the special characteristics of poetry and leads young scholars through a look at how poems are structured and why. Includes links to poems and...

This instructional activity focuses on the how to approach the analysis of poetry. It provides a series of student activities such as having young scholars read and compare a draft and the final version of William Blake's "Tyger" which...

This lesson is designed to help learners begin to engage with metaphors on a deeper and more abstract level. The lesson will begin with a poem containing metaphors accessible at all levels, and with each poem, the lesson will progress in...

Contains plans for two lessons that explain an inductive method for analyzing poetry. Seamus Heaney's "Blackberry Picking" is analyzed using this model as an example, although the method can be used on a variety of poems. In addition to...

An in-depth analysis of the works of Edgar Allan Poe, including "The Raven," "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Fall of the House of Usher," and more! Excellent and detailed lesson plans!

This PDF lesson plan uses the Lyrics to "I Was a Kaleidoscope" by Ben Gibbard and the song "I Was a Kaleidoscope" by Death Cab for Cutie to analyze the poem and determine its meaning.