Students read a story and use sentence strips to order story events.  In this sequencing lesson plan, students learn new vocabulary words centered around the story Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, preview the story, make...

Students explore their neighborhoods. In this geography lesson, students make a map of their neighborhood. They must include a key, natural terrain, buildings and streets. They also write a descriptive paragraph about their neighborhood.

Students investigate how the forest affects their daily lives by creating a concept map.  In this ecological lesson, students create a concept map linking the forest to the many things they use each day.  Students take a field...

Students explore the distribution of two ecosystems on a global scale; and map the distribution of tropical and temperate rain forests throughout the world. They use a Venn Diagram to describe these ecosystems and the differences between...

In this social studies lesson plan, students answer short answer questions about the geography, topography, history, and architecture of the east part of the United States. Students complete 24 questions.

Learners recognize and categorize different bodies of water. In this watershed and water environments lesson, students "Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean." Learners define the different bodies of water and sort from smallest to...

Students create a geologic map and cross-section of an area of horizontal sedimentary rocks, exposed in several locations. Map must include a complete key or legend with rock descriptions of the various formations.

Pupils draw pictoral representations of a reading selection they read in order to recall information. For this picture mapping lesson plan, students use pictures to comprehend what they read and sequence the pictures as well.

Second graders explore the geography of Nevada. In this map-making lesson plan, 2nd graders use salt dough to create a relief map of Nevada. Students label the landforms and bodies of water that are studied and specified in the lesson...

Students explore the country of Japan. In this international studies lesson, students utilize their geography skills to locate Japan on a map. Students explore some Japanese customs and communities. Students use descriptive language...

Learners infer the galaxy shape.  In this structure of the galaxy lesson plan students observe the distribution of objects in the sky and answer questions.

Students use the internet to research the geography of the Renaissance. Using maps of Europe, they identify at least three key cities during the time period and discuss the main types of transportation. They research the various customs...

As a middle school assessment task, learners first examine line graphs of monthly temperatures for two locations, and then match box plots to each line plot.

There is often more to data than meets the eye. Scholars learn that they need to analyze data before making conclusions as they look at data that describes the number of candy bars boys and girls eat. They disprove a given conclusion and...

After learning about P waves and S waves, fifth graders view the intensity of earthquakes by examining seismographs and images of earthquake damage. Young scientists then forecasting future quakes by analyzing data about...

Students explore nautical charts and their symbols, with a bit of fun thrown in.

Eighth graders discover how the location of restaurants affects the future location of different restaurants. Using a fictionous town, they map the locations of all current restaurants and analyze the data to determine what type of...

Students explore environmental issues by completing a food production class activity. In this carbon footprint lesson, students discuss the types of foods they eat, where they come from and what types of methods are used to transport...

Students discuss the three branches of government and the different levels. They talk about the purpose of laws and use the Internet to locate information about governments. They watch the video, "United States Constitution" and look up...

Fourth graders take a field trip to a mill, identify the parts of a mill, what was produced there, and what types of occupations were associated with a mill. They write an essay detailing the reasons they would or wouldn't like to have...

Fourth graders consider the role that baskets play in the traditional lives of Native Americans in California. Students investigate types of baskets and their various uses and then weave their own baskets.

Students examine and describe the four physical systems of the Earth. Using two of the systems, they practice their writing skills and use vocabulary associated with the different types of landforms. They predict the types of shelters...

Students work together to identify and describe the various types of mussels. Using a color-coded system, they plot the arrival date of zebra mussels in North American waters. They discuss the increase in their population with the class.

Investigate different types of documents with your middle schoolers. They look at newspapers, letters, maps, reports, etc. and answer a list of questions provided. Introduce them to different primary sources!