Middle schoolers role-play the responsibilities of the House of Representatives as they consider how to solve the problem of undue influence by big business monopolies. They evaluate their proposed solutions and write an essay with their...

Middle schoolers are introduced to non-violent ways to solve disagreements with others. In groups, they analyze the ways Martin Luther King, Gandhi and Thoreau shared their views in non-violent ways. They complete a sketch of the life...

Students investigate international aid by researching the history of Angola.  In this world crisis lesson, students investigate the history, civil wars and poor economy of Angola and discuss ways to turn the poor nation around....

Students determine how the presidential election of 1860 led to the American Civil War. In this election of 1860 lesson, students discover details regarding the election and hold their own mock debate and election. Students also write an...

In this transitions review worksheet, students practice their grammar skills as they fill in the blanks in 3 paragraphs using the appropriate transitions.

Learners use a game to establish the context of solving problems in a systematic and mathematical fashion. They also solve various types of equations to find reasonable solutions.

Fifth graders reorganize comic strips to have them make sense, complete outline and organize their thoughts into outline form to explain directions, and use that outline to complete their own directions for geometry activities.

High schoolers interpret the stories of school consolidation efforts. They explore what social and structural changes have occurred in rural schools. Students debate the plusses and minuses of school consolidation from several perspectives.

Students use a five-step process to write a persuasive essay about an issue that is related to the Mississippi River. Students build an argument based on prior knowledge and information from a variety of sources. Students base their...

As the culminating activity in a unit study of science fiction, young writers demonstrate their understanding of the genre by producing their own graphic novel. After deciding on the main elements of their story, individuals use a comic...

But this is math—we don't need to know how to write! The article makes a point that class members in AP® Statistics should be comfortable writing as the exams require it. Individuals quickly realize that quality writing is crucial...

Students write a paragraph predicting what the book is about after viewing the front cover. They are given a copy of the Story Parts Maps, students are explained each story part. Students are explained that they most take notes on the...

Learners examine the day in the life of a homeless person. In this humanitarian lesson, students examine the life of a homeless person while discovering the importance of social justice in our society.

Students participate in a water awareness portfolio.  In this water conservation activity students create a portfolio to help make them aware of current water conditions. 

Students, after reading an Accelerated Reader historical fiction book, research the actual historical time period portrayed in the book. Then, working in a cooperative learning group, they create a HyperStudio presentation.

This five-page essay provides an example of a Problem-Solution Essay. Clicking on the "Writer's Guide" link in the upper right-hand corner of the page enables the user to get tips, directions, and explanations on the essay.

Entitled "Protecting Its People," this model essay from NPR hosts Tom and Ray Magliozzi is a plea for more government intervention and regulation for what the writers see as potential safety risks for citizens. Requires Adobe Reader. [PDF]

The aim of this unit is for students to develop their persuasive writing and information gathering skills using various forms of information and communication technology. It is hoped that the context of 'teenage problems' will provide an...

This four-page essay provides an example of a Problem-Analysis Essay. Clicking on the "Writer's Guide" link in the upper right-hand corner of the page enables the user to get tips, directions, and explanations on the essay.

This site, geared toward English as a Second Language students, provides a continuation of "Water Under the Sink" as a reading exercise and audio translation. Multiple choice questions, vocabulary practice, close exercises, crosswords,...

Two slideshows and a screencast on organizational patterns used when writing essays and speeches. The first is a 20-slide presentation explaining the seven most common organizational patterns used in writing: time sequence, spatial,...

This essay from 1994 discusses the issue of water scarcity in the Middle East. It describes the problem and proposes solutions.

This site by University of St. Thomas focuses on the basics for writing any paragraph. It is developed in outline fashion and is very easy to follow. This site provides a basic overview of the process of writing without going into a...