Sixth graders explore philosophy by researching the Dalai Lama. In this Tibetan history lesson, 6th graders discuss the influence of Buddhism on the Dalai Lama and the unique view on life a Buddhist must have. Students read a Tibetan...

Second graders, after spending several weeks developing skills necessary to become a "Community Development Team," create and build their vision of a community. Consideration is given for needs and wants, food, shelter, safety concerns,...

Fifth graders explore world history by participating in a class game. In this propaganda lesson, 5th graders identify Madeline Beck and the role women played during World War II. Students create fictitious propaganda posters and...

Learners examine the history of Heraldry from medieval times in preparation for reading the novel "Freak the Mighty." They view and discuss examples of shields and discuss the color system and how shields were divided. As a culminating...

Young scholars work in groups to imagine, research and simulate a dinner party involving an author, a fictional character, and a significant historical figure as dinner guests. The activity uses Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and...

Students explore ways to notice when others are sad, happy, calm, or angry. They act out feelings and have others try to identify them. The listen to The Brand New Kid, focusing on plot, characterization, and illustrations. They create a...

Learners watch and discuss the Johnny Tremain video. They discuss the actions of citizens during the American Revolution and describe these actions as patriotic and/or philanthropic.

Eighth graders discuss invention of bicycle and early obstacles to riding, listen to and discuss short story "Taming the Bicycle" by Mark Twain, define vocabulary words from story, and create and present humorous "how to" project to...

Students explore philanthropy. In this service learning instructional activity, students read The Seven Chinese Brothers, identify the elements of the story, and then go out in the world to help others by sharing their talents.

Students explore Shakespeare as part of American culture. For this Shakespearean culture lesson, students view video clips about modern theater.  Students read excerpts from Shakespearean plays and other commentaries.

Young scholars discuss the importance of nonprofit organizations. In this nonprofit instructional activity, students research nonprofit organizations online and study the nonprofits' impact on society.

First graders create a new scene for the book Curious George Takes a Job. In this storytelling lesson plan, 1st graders continue the story after the teacher reads them the book.

Seventh graders explore the current tensions in Asia by completing a graphic organizer.  For this Asian politics lesson, 7th graders examine a Powerpoint slide and news article which gives them the information needed to fill in...

Second graders investigate the life of Booker T. Washington by reading a biography.  In this biographical lesson, 2nd graders read the story More Than Anything Else, and examine the geographical locations Washington once resided...

Sixth graders investigate Civil Rights by participating in role-playing activities.  For this U.S. History lesson, 6th graders research the history of slavery in order to portray a story through their debating and acting...

Fourth graders research soldiers in the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson, 4th graders listen to the story Pink and Say by Patricia Polacco and identify the main events. They read facts about "Hoosiers in the Civil War" and create...

Fourth graders listen to a read aloud of a book that provides background information on the Columbian Exposition. They research the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition and the city of Chicago at the turn of the century and create a...

Students research information about Terry Fox on the Internet. They write a personal letter to Terry Fox.

Students research burial tombs of ancient Egypt. Acting as pharaohs of Egypt, students create burial plans to decide what items they would include in their own tombs and why. They find another student to analyze their plan.

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...

Twelfth graders review facts about roles of Asia and Japan in World War II, read When My Name Was Keoko to familiarize themselves with daily life and historic events during World War II in Korea, and participate in student-led...

Students examine the contributions of the author Gwendolyn Brooks. They create a journal, read and discuss poems by Brooks, write a poem about themselves, and create a timeline of their own lives.

Fifth graders explore the effects of war. In this American Revolution lesson, 5th graders read My Brother Sam is Dead and complete the provided comprehension, characterization, and vocabulary activities

Students investigate the purposes of state and local government. They categorize newspaper articles into state and local issues. Pupils summarize nonfiction text. Students given an oral presentation on a news report to the class.