Middle schoolers are introduced to mythology and create modern versions of ancient myths based on figures represented on modern U.S. coins.

Second graders examine the designs on nickels before 2004 and after when the new Peace Medal nickel was minted. They research the events that preceded the new design and explore the symbols of friendship on the new coin. They work in...

Third graders examine the symbolism of the United States by observing different flags.  In this U.S. History lesson, 3rd graders utilize the Internet to research state seals, flags, and other symbols that represent specific areas of...

Students create original examples of the ancient Chinese Folk Art technique of Paper-Cutting in this middle-level instructional activity highly adaptable for either the Art classroom or a Social Studies class.

Students read and analyze a play that takes place in the late 1200s under the Yuan dynasty of the Mongols. They examine the structure of Yuan plays, participate in performing sections of the play, write a three page essay, and analyze...

Students design and create foil coins with images that symbolize students' imaginary leadership in the ancient world. They model their coins on those made for Alexander the Great. They discuss what made him an important historical figure.

Most twenty-first century pupils don't know how to interpret cuneiform. Examining images of cuneiform and papyrus writing and using a chart and Venn diagram, young historians extrapolate what life may have been like for people who lived...

Young historians discover African stories associated with a royal altar tusk from the Kingdom of Benin in Nigeria, read myths illustrated on the tusk, and write a story about the life of an oba using figures depicted on the tusk.

Take a longer look at a formative time in history with a lesson that explores the causes of the American Civil War. After viewing a series of images and explanations for various forces at play, middle schoolers choose the images that...

"Native American history leaps boldly off the colorful quilts and patchwork designs." Learners discuss Native American identity and symbolism by reading about a variety of Native quilters and their unique art process, and participate in...

After a quick study of Native American art, symbolism, and pattern design children make a ceramic vase. They read about the use, production, and design of Native American vases or pots, then use clay to create one of their own. Tip:...

Middle schoolers design a detailed drawing of their family crest. They incorporate imagery that's relevant to their family's life. Students consider the variety os shapes for the family crest- circles, ellipses, and triangles. They...

Pupils study the history of bags, pouches and purses. Use of these items spans the entire globe and encompasses practically every civilization. The lesson culminates with learners creating their own bag from a variety of choices. The...

Sixth graders discover the importance of information sources by researching the United States History.  In this research gathering lesson, 6th graders examine a historical painting of George Washington and analyze what it means,...

Students discuss ways to earn money and why they might need it. Students create crowns to wear all day like in the story. Students create a play using characters in the story. Students interview "eyewitnesses" at the unveiling of the...

I love Faulkner, his experimental style and stream of consciousness are so exciting. Your learners can analyze William Faulkner and his novel, The Sound and the Fury by defining his place in American literary history and exploring...

Using Walt Whitman's Song of Myself and Hart Crane's The Bridge as models, class groups first craft their own epic poems for 1900 and, using primary sources, create a multi-media presentation that captures the sights and...

Get your class going on one of the final assessments for a unit on short stories by introducing iMovie and its main features. In this tenth instructional activity in a series of fourteen, pupils take some time to explore iMovie before...

Under construction, this instructional activity focuses on Canto Familia, a collection of poetry about Gary Soto's experiences growing up in California's Imperial Valley. Representative of the experiences of many Latinos, the poems also...

Sixth graders complete activities about colonial history through an examination of art from the American Revolution period. In this history and art lesson, 6th graders define an iconic image, sing the song 'Yankee Doodle,' and analyze...

Students identify formal elements that characterize the scroll, work in a variety of media, from traditional to digital, to create their own scrolls, work into digital printout with at least two media, and engage in meaningful critiques...

Students examine Kahn's process of designing a ceremonial building that serves as a political and spiritual symbol. For this architecture analysis lesson, students investigate architectural structures in various contexts. Students...

Young scholars discuss and evaluate the use of the Yin and Yang symbols in Chinese history, making connections to current trends in Chinese culture. Emphasis is placed on small group discussions.

Students examine the Pop Art of the 1960s. Using the internet, they become experts on the subject through research. They compare and contrast the literary work to the art work during this same period and examine how the culture of the...