Fourth graders view examples of help-wanted ads as they plan and create their own writing in the fourteenth instructional activity of this unit on colonial trade. The engagement of the class is captured when the teacher shares an actual...

After reading Elvira Woodruff's George Washington's Socks, young readers and writers embark upon writing their own historically based story, with a focus on developing ideas and details throughout the piece. In small groups, class...

Keep the art of letter writing alive in this age of Tweet and Twitter! The 10 activities detailed in this resource lead pupils through the process of crafting classic forms. A list of and links to famous letters is also included as part...

Informative writing is emphasized in the standards. Help your learners reach that goal with the plan for paragraph writing outlined here. After reviewing the work from the day before and adding to their vocabulary notebooks, class...

Working in groups, middle and high schoolers describe and discuss photographs depicting working conditions experienced by child laborers in the 19th century. They then write a persuasive paragraph supporting an amendment to regulate the...

Combine subjects with a cross-curricular writing exercise. Although limited as an engaging or interactive activity, this Early Russia worksheet has learners responding to 3 clear and simple prompts, each of which can easily lead into...

Combine subjects with a cross-curricular writing exercise. Although limited as an engaging or interactive activity, this Medieval Europe activity has learners responding to 3 clear and simple prompts, each of which can easily lead into...

Combine subjects with a cross-curricular writing exercise. Although limited as an engaging or interactive activity, this Early Japan assignment has learners responding to 3 simple prompts, each of which can easily lead into deeper...

Combine subjects with a cross-curricular writing exercise. This worksheet on the Rise of European Nation-States has learners responding to 3 clear and simple prompts, each of which can easily lead into deeper research. Historians outline...

Combine subjects with a cross-curricular writing exercise. Although limited as an engaging or interactive activity, this Ming Dynasty activity has learners responding to three clear and simple prompts, each of which can easily lead into...

The Boston Massacre may be an iconic event in American history, but perhaps the British soldiers had another point of view. Using primary sources, including reports from Boston newspapers and secondary sources from the British...

First graders practice their letter writing skills by writing to a fictional character.  For this formal writing lesson, 1st graders read the books The Jolly Postman and Frog and Toad are Friends to examine the different parts of a...

In instructional activity 13 of this unit on colonial trade, young researchers learn about apprentices as they prepare to write help-wanted ads for the specific trade they have been researching. To begin, the class listens closely as the...

Help your high schoolers undertand the critical problems around healthcare. By focusing on the political and private process of healthcare, students will watch a video, analyze issues, and write an essay on their findings. Additionally,...

Students write their thoughts about political cartoons, photographs, and articles in their journal and then discuss them in class.

Have you ever asked your young historians to write about a subject they have just learned, and were met with the response, "But what do I write about?" Next time, come prepared to meet them with this printable! For a general free-write...

A class newsletter? The possible extensions for this activity are endless. After examining examples of news print-outs from hotels or workplaces, class members develop their own articles and produce a newsletter. A great way to keep...

What would Ben do? Jumping off from the pseudonymous letters Ben Franklin fooled his older brother into publishing when he was still a teenager, young literary lovers dive into acting, writing, and addressing a local issue with wit and...

Investigate the choices people make between economic growth and personal growth and development using the ethical/decision making model. Small groups create and present a position paper describing their feeling for or against the...

Students identify both views on U.S. immigration policy. They write a persuasive essay defending either a liberal or restrictive immigration policy. Students identify the major laws regulating immigration since 1875. They create a...

Your 9th - 12th graders can hone their analysis and critical thinking skills by studying the way a subject is portrayed across media types. They examine how various print, visual, and online sources have portrayed key players in the 9/11...

Do military recruiters plan to visit your campus? If so, the visit presents an opportunity for class members to engage in a series of action projects. Class members interview recruiters, propose a PTA meeting to discuss the pros and cons...

Pupils explore brochure writing. They work in groups to brainstorm and categorize important places in their community. In addition, they gather information from the Internet, take pictures using a digital camera, and create a community...