What were the conditions that led to the American Revolution? What are the conditions that lead to revolution in other times and places? Class members examine primary source materials and use evidence drawn from these documents to craft...

It's time to make a movie! Kids follow 15 steps to take their movie ideas from concept to script, following clear examples. The resource includes creative ways to guide learners into developing a few words and concepts into fully...

Where does tradition fit in a divided community with violence on both sides? Scholars learn about the marches in Northern Ireland and the many issues surrounding them. They take on roles in the community and try to convince others of...

Third graders develop an appreciate for the various cultures that are present in their local community. Through reading and research, they explain how various culture came to live in their area. At the conclusion of the unit, 3rd...

Students explore why Americans failed to meet health goals for the year 2000 and ways in which Americans can shape up to meet the 2010 goals. They maintain a food and exercise diary for one week, evaluate their nutrition and exercise...

Students explore the New Deal and President FDR. In this Great Depression lesson, students listen to an FDR Broadcast (Fireside Chat) and read sections in their textbooks. Then, in small groups students design and create a broadcast to...

Students explore how different people interpret the separation of church and state and how these different interpretations affect their actions. They develop group speeches for a town hall meeting and participate in town hall meeting.

Students explore issues that might be discussed at the G8 summit meeting hosted by the U.S. after reading and discussing the article "World Leaders Get a Glimpse of America's High Life" from The New York Times. Students work in groups...

In this critical thinking activity, students evaluate different scenarios to decide how the person or business in the scenario could help reduce air pollution. Students work in cooperative learning groups to decide what strategies could...

Students examine the country of Mongolia and how it is trying to form a democracy. As a class, they participate in a class meeting about a new class rule and they voice their opinions. They read excerpts of a letter of a Peace Corps...

Sixth graders complete a unit of lessons on the solar system. In small groups, they participate in a Webquest, watch movies, complete graphic organizers, and answer questions, create a model of the planets, and develop a Powerpoint...

Students use structural analysis and context clues to determine meanings of words. They play a game to decode, read, and comprehend written text . They treat others with kindness and fairness and include others in learning and play...

Students explore the needs of plants.  In this plants biology lesson, students work in groups to perform an experiment with tomato plants.  Each group records observations in a journal, takes pictures, and interprets the...

Students participate in a reader's theater about the Civil War. In this performing arts lesson, students review the Civil War through a reader's theater. They practice reading their parts to work on expression and fluidity before...

Young scholars explore the lifestyles of the Aztecs. In this ancient culture lesson, students jigsaw into groups that divide up various aspects of Aztec culture. Young scholars reform as a class in order to discuss and share their findings.

Students participate in a reader's theater, adapting scenes from The Great Gatsby.  In this reading comprehension instructional activity, students interpret a given scene from The Great Gatsby in a readers' theater.  Students...

Students participate in a simulation of life on a deserted island. They work with their group to develop an island survival plan and summarize it in a journal. Students use a worksheet and challenge cards to earn points. They will be...

Students meet as a class to discuss a variety of media literacy topics before breaking into groups to conduct research on one aspect of the topic. In order to gather information, they watch episodes of the Simpson's television show and...

Students examine the various roles Virginians played during the Revolutionary War era. They participate in a jigsaw activity, reading an article and presenting information to their group. Students then complete a Venn diagram comparing...

Sixth graders research and examine the first ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America. They sequence events significant to this time period, read and discuss text, and in small groups prepare and present the...

Students discover new ways to preserve the ecosystem by completing graphic organizers.  In this environmental lesson, students read an article from the Natural Inquirer in small groups and fill out a graphic organizer based on the...

For this ancient civilizations worksheet, students respond to 5 short answer questions and complete a graphic organizer about Babylonia after they read the included selections.

Learners explore the reasons diamond sales were halted overseas.  In this lesson, students read an article that focuses on diamond trade and diamond sales, then complete numerous activities that check the reading comprehension of...

Fourth graders research three topics from the book, either Village Life, Sea Life, or San Nicholas Island. They research independently and meet in a jigsaw format to share what they learned. As group they create a poster for class...