Middle schoolers investigate how philanthropy began in Michigan. In this philanthropy lesson, students read Michigan History of Philanthropy and read a timeline of several events. Middle schoolers create a picture with a sentence about a...

Students learn about the life of Helen Keller. In this cultural and disability awareness lesson, students read a biography about Helen Keller and discuss the differences in her life and theirs. Students discuss which sense they would...

Students create a folded paper house based on the free "Color, Cut, and Fold Village" offered by Bridge to Reading (link provided)

Learners research using Google Earth a variety of websites to explore America's most prominent and famous buildings. They then compare and contrast architectural styles and write a position paper defending or arguing against their chosen...

Students take notes on how to teach art. They determine if they are right or left brained and experience the frustration of teacher-directed art and trying to stay in the lines of a coloring book. They experience different art...

Students identify, explain and use the basic principles of design. They find a large, clear picture depicting each of the different principles of design and write a complete sentence describing where they see each of the principles of...

Students discover how to play chess. In this how is chess played lesson plan, students examine the rules, vocabulary, and tactics of the game of chess. 

Students create a Mississippian-style gorget using clay and a stylus to etch a design of a stylized spider.

Students view part of a video about advocating for music education. They discuss the importance of supporting music education in schools and create a presentation for the PTO, a news release about a local music event and/or scripts for a...

Students explore reasons for varied salinity in bodies of water. In this geographical inquiry lesson, students use a variety of visual and written information including maps, data tables, and graphs, to form a hypothesis as to why the...

Students explore Native American weaving patterns and dance movements. In this Native Americans lesson, students view examples of weaving patterns on the Internet and compare the patterns to a Native American dance. Students demonstrate...

Students read a variety of fiction books about dragons and visualize what they think the dragon in the book might look like. They sketch out a drawing of the dragon and then design and shape a dragon's head mask to represent the dragon...

Students discuss the role Islamic culture had on the development of Flamenco music in this General Music instructional activity for the middle-level classroom. Resource links are provided. The instructional activity emphasizes the...

Students examine paintings by Thomas Cole and Jasper Francis Cropsey as windows into American frontier life. They consider the pioneer's relationship with nature and the role of Native Americans in the pioneer's lives and settlements.

What would Edward R. Murrow think of today’s news broadcasts? Learners examine the work of the first public television newscaster and his commitment to researched, accurate reporting. The eight-day study concludes with investigators...

This problem solving PowerPoint presents a detailed, logical sequence of steps to follow in order to solve a story problem. The thinking processes described are given in text and represented by a visual model. After discussing the...

A rich and well-designed lesson on estimation is here for you. The lesson utilizes a video; ITV Series: The Eddie Files 'Estimation: Going to the Dogs,' along with many websites. Several fantastic learning activities are...

Learners read and analyze a series of excerpts from George Washington's letters, journal, and speeches to match quotations to the event or date in his life. They identify the author or source of the historical document or narrative. They...

Learners experience the effect of sensory stimulation through a guided visualization. They explore possible genetic relationships between drug addiction and the nervous system by reading and discussing, "Genetic Studies Promise a Path to...

Students prepare for and respond to literature selections. This package includes ten lessons from the American Literature series, each covering a different reading selection. Pre-reading and response activities are included for each...

Students examine the causes and military actions of World War I.  In this World History lesson, students study the sacrifices made by Americans and Europeans.  Students read and analyze primary sources related to World War I....

Middle schoolers explore and investigate the foundation and history of jazz music. They listen to various pieces of music while creating drawings, develop a timeline of jazz history, and read and discuss biographies of famous jazz...