Students investigate the letters written my Michigan soldiers during the Civil War. They examine the letters for clues about the life and attitudes of these soldiers.

Historical fiction can be a valuable asset when learning about the past. Integrate several novels written about the Civil War into your social studies unit, with groups of four working collaboratively to comprehend the novel from...

Students use maps and lecture notes to discover the diverse history of the state of Michigan. After gathering their information, students develop interview questions that might be used to interview an elderly person in their community.

Animal reproduction in sheep and cattle is explored with the help of Punnet squares. Scholars employ tools using probability to conclude the color of wool a sheep's offspring will have. Acting as animal geneticists, pupils then take...

Fourth graders explore Michigan. In this geography skills activity, 4th graders read textbook pages about the state and then participate in a classroom activity that requires them to be part of an assembly line.

Fifth graders explore the regions of the United States. In this geography skills lesson plan, 5th graders examine the landforms, climates, and economies of the regions of the United States. Students conduct Internet research in order to...

Students examine the damage from the earthquake across a large geographic area of Alaska. They discover additional damage occurred from the tsunami, fires, and flooding after the initial earthquake. They collect images and information...

Fourth graders work with a partner to plan, rese,a rch design and publish a slide show that depicts the most important or interesting facts they have learned about Michigan. They are given the choice of working in one of the seven...

Students review the Federalist Paper by James Madison. They discuss the influence of interest groups in contemporary politics.

Young scholars explore the history of their local community. They visit historical landmarks in the city of Marshall. Students create a HyperStudio project about local Michigan history.

Sixth graders complete a long-term unit on ancient and early civilizations. They conduct Internet research, define key vocabulary terms, analyze maps, and create a PowerPoint presentation about a selected early civilization.

Students are introduced to the functions of state and local government. In groups, they research Michigan as their home state and one other state given to them and answer questions given to them in a packet. They discuss their answers...

Examine water as a scarce natural resource instead of taking it for granted. Middle schoolers identify the traits of potable water, and research local water sources to determine if they are impaired or not.

Seventh graders explore the Eastern Hemisphere. They investigate the customs, currency, climate, location and other facts needed in order to travel to a specific country. Students receive a stamp on their "passport" when their research...

Tenth graders prepare to read Bless Me, Ultima as they study the Southwestern region of the United States. They examine the characters, setting, and culture by using context clues, and participate in a jigsaw activity.

Tenth graders read and analyze the first two chapters of the novel, 'Bless Me, Ultima.' They respond to a partners journal entry, discuss the two major landscapes in the novel, and create a drawing/interpretation of what these landscapes...

Students review list of statements pertaining to United States History, and determine whether statements happened during the Civil War, after the Civil War, or had no connection to War. Students then speculate about connection between...

High schoolers discuss the relationships between East Asia and the United States. They examine the importance of trade and politics. They examine graphs and charts of certain aspects of the region and discuss.

Have your learners review what they know about camouflage using this lesson. Learners fill out a graphic organizer listing what they know or have questions about. This could be enhanced with the addition of a writing assignment in which...

Students work in small groups with "primary sources" from the Civil War. They analyze actual letters (re-typed) that Michigan soldiers from this war wrote. Each group receives a package of letters. They read the letters out loud to each...

In this trees survival lesson plan, 8th graders discuss what trees need to grow, brainstorm things that could adversely affect tree growth, and compare characteristics of thriving trees vs. surviving trees. Students learn about the...

Students use printed maps and websites to estimate driving distances and plan routes to Hemingway's home. They visit several locations online and record facts about each location.They calculate, distances, driving time, and other factors.

High schoolers explore volcanoes, locate them on maps, record general information about volcanoes, and organize information on a fact sheet.

Students explore the rotation of the earth. In this science lesson, students view photos of various places around the world. Students conduct an experiment in which they can see how the earth's rotation creates shadows on the earth.