It can be difficult to find the theme of a book or story if you don't know the questions to ask. Teach your kids to discern the universal theme in works of literature with a set of activities that promote critical thinking and...

Are your advanced learners reading authentic Latin this year? Whether you're teaching Caesar, Cicero or Virgil, use some of these strategies to map out your unit. What do you focus on? Consider taking small passages and making that the...

Pair this presentation about the tenets and philosophies of Buddhism with a lecture on world history or world religions.Viewers will appreciate the clarity of the information as well as the colorful maps and images that adorn each slide.

Are the lessons of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar still applicable today? Explore themes, characterization, and plot structure with a thorough teacher's guide to the play. The resource covers the entire text and offers rigorous activities...

Young scholars examine the political philosophies of Mohandas Gandhi. In this Mohandas Gandhi lesson, students investigate Gandhi's thoughts about modern civilization as they listen to a lecture presented by their instructor.

Introduce pupils to the work of Robert Boyle and his influence on medical practice through a series of informational texts and discussion questions.

Students examine reasons for teaching children and the characteristics of an effective teacher. After a Powerpoint presentation which includes a humorous look at the 1915 rules for teachers, they create daily teaching schedules and...

Lorna Simpson is a photographer who has put together a collection of photos from the 1950s in order to challenge the idea that primary source documents are objective in their portrayal of history. Learners are introduced to Ms. Simpson's...

Students examine various creation myths from around the world. They compare/contrast the myths, write their own creation stories, and present their myths to the class in the form of storytelling, role-playing, dance, or a puppet show.

Students in a special education class discover ways to effectively plan for the future. In groups, they research the programs and services available to them to discover the opportunities that await them. They read different sections of...

Can we perceive reality or are we chained by preconceptions that limit our vision? Plato’s allegory “The Cave” serves to introduce nascent philosophers to Plato’s dialogues and hopefully to engender a love of ideas and discourse. A...

What were the virtues and values that helped form America? Pupils watch and discuss a video, read biographies of early Americans, chart the differences between early American religious movements, write journals and letters, draw, and...

How does a society influence and shape individuals? Class members ponder this essential question as they read Lord of the Flies, as well as primary source materials about the historical background of the novel. As a...

Students are introduced to the basic concepts of the natural rights philosophy. After being introduced to the concept of natural rights, students are asked to speculate on what might be the benefits and problems of living in a state of...

Students examine the lives of the Nisqually people and the resource consumption philosophy. In this Native American philosophy lesson, students use primary sources to understand the resource consumption philosophy and then evaluate their...

Students examine Buddhism and the role of the Dalai Lama. In this world religions lesson, students research the history and teachings of the Dalai Lama. Students discuss how to apply the Dalai Lama's teaching to teen dilemmas.

Students examine the philosophy of nonviolence developed by Martin Luther King, Jr. and how this turned into practice during the Civil Rights Movement. They compare these teachings to those of Mohandas K. Ghandi.

Students examine American Indian artifacts through historical, cultural and artistic lenses. They explore the philosophy behind the Smithsonian Institute's new museum to honor American Indian history and traditions.

Students consider how different cultural and religious groups perceive girls' education. By addressing differences and identifying common ground, students attempt to arrive at a philosophy of girls' education that takes varying...

Young scholars examine the themes of isolation and simplicity in Andrea Zittel's art. They discuss what is necessary and sufficient on a month-long island stay and design functional and artistic items with Zittel's philosophy in mind.

Students describe, illustrate, and present main beliefs of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Animism, Judaism, or Christianity religion. They share with a partner their most significant fact about each leader interviewed. Students...

Students brainstorm and discuss what the concept of "fairness" is and how to identify examples of "fairness." They pull from historical fiction and the Civil Rights Movement to explain how individual are affected by, cope with, and...

Learners examine Sir Thomas More's Utopian vision. In this philosophy lesson, students read Utopia and determine the pros and cons of Utopian societies. Learners then create and present monologues of residents of the Utopia.