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The Mind Behind Design
Students explore a design website and journal their findings. In this design and writing lesson plan, students analyze the design process and discuss benefits to society through design. Students choose a design that they feel is the most...
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Boosting Rap's Rep
Students consider the negative image that some have of rap and hip-hop music through discussion and reading an opinion piece from The New York Times. They create CD cover artwork reflecting these messages.
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Square Dancing
Fourth graders investigate the concept of using punnett squares in the determination of the offspring.They collect drawings and pictures and create a collection for student science journals.
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A Bird's Eye View of the Caribbean: Art, Folklore, and Music
Students examine the Caribbean in terms of its music, art, and folklore. As a class, they listen to a folktale and discuss the difference between telling a story and reading a story. In groups, they write their own folktale and share...
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A Guide Through the Culture of the Blues
High schoolers examine the history of blues music and discover how it relates to the music of today. As a class, they listen to the drum songs of Africa and compare it to the use of drums in pop music today. Using the internet, they...
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Harrisification
Students use the internet to research Robert Harris' life and art work. Using this information, they write a journal entry from his point of view and share it with the class. They also paint a picture from a scene of their own life...
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Official Statements
Students research the viewpoints of famous Americans, and then write commencement speeches reflecting these viewpoints to be delivered to high school graduates of today.
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Birdland: Weather Report
Students compare and contrast the Weather Report jazz recording, Birdland, with other songs they have reviewed. They write in their journals how they think charlie Parker might have reacted to the song.
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The Importance of Scribbling and Doodling
Ninth graders discuss what journaling means to them and discovers that it does not always have to be writing. Using the Internet, they research the different types of journaling and chooses one that meets their own style. They make...
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What can American third graders learn about soil from the European Union
Third graders develop a list of ways humans destroy soil. In this soil conservation lesson, 3rd graders listen to a book on soil conservation and design posters about how to conserve soil. Students share their work orally with classmates...
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Color My World
Fourth graders write poems using color to describe their feelings and environment. After viewing a sample student poem imbedded in this plan, 4th graders utilize The Student Writing Center educational software program to type their poem.
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Interpreting Language Arts, Health, and Visual Art
Fourth graders draw a magic mask with special powers based on one aspect of health. They write 1-2 paragraphs descibing the mask's special powers. Then they scan the images using a computer software program and write a new paragraph on...
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Emersonian Jelly Beans
Students write a journal entry describing how a jelly bean is like an idea. They discuss the entries and write why jelly beans are not like an idea. They create an Argus-like poster of one of the ideas and describe how the idea shows...
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A High-Interest Novel Helps Struggling Readers Confront Bullying in Schools
Bully, bullied, or bystander? Paul Langan's The Bully is the anchor text in a unit that examines bullying and violence. After a close reading of the text, readers imagine themselves as the characters and consider how they would react in...
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Tobacco in North Carolina
Fourth graders examine the depiction of North Carolina tobacco farms in several photographs. They work in small groups to prepare an argument for a class debate and create promotional signs to advertise their point of view about tobacco...
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Philanthropy Play
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students simulate and role play people involved in the act of helping others.
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What a Character!
Young scholars look at the role of characters in a story. In this character lesson, students discuss how different types of characters change the plot of the story. They see how storytellers use their body, face, and voice to tell stories.
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Pop Tops
Get your class primed for a comparative analysis instructional activity with this activity. They compare and contrast their music preferences to those of their classmates. After reading an article, they identify current trends in popular...
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Hot, Hot, Hot, Cold
Learners dance the image of falling snow. They move, swing, fall, and rise to music working to depict snow falling, the sun, and high/low movements. This is a well-thought out lesson that aids them in seeing movement as a form of...
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Lesson Plan: A Miniature Game
Art inspires art, as children work to understand artistic forms that come from the imagination. They analyze the installation piece, Fox Games and then discuss the design process. They then use clay to create imaginative dioramas,...
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Math On Your Lap Quilt
Get creative juices flowing when you allow groups to figure out a procedure for how to find the area of squares and rectangles. They may use the individual patchwork blocks, or they may design one using the Design Template.
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All the World's a Stage
Is the circus a form of theater? Read "A City of Clowns? What Else Is New?" to sway your class that a circus, is indeed, a theatrical performance. Critical thinkers compare/contrast various forms of theater and identify what makes the...
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Spreading Cheer by Recycling!
Students recycle paper and make greeting cards. In this recycling lesson plan, students use scraps of classroom paper to make new sheets of paper. They make greeting cards out of the paper and spread cheer to others in their community.
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The Golden Rule of Reciprocity: A Silk Road Encounters Project
Students are introduced to the Golden Rule of Reciprocity. Using the four major world religions, they compare and contrast quotes about the Golden Rule. In groups, they create their own version of the Rule and share it with the class.