Seventh graders investigate the causes and effects of El Nino and explore its global impact on weather related occurrences through this series of activities.

Students work on the Internet to listen, read, and practice writing in a foreign language. They focus on the use of idiom and humor in other languages.

Third graders examine the artwork of Faith Ringgold. They create their own quilt pattern on fabric and piece them together to create a class quilt. They compare their similarities with one another.

Fourth graders are introduced to the book THE SAND HORSE and discuss the title and cover illustration. They listen to the story listening for words and phrases to describe the setting. They then brainstorm key words to illustrate the...

Students create a movie of a scene from The Crucible upon completion of reading the book. They assume a variety of roles in the film production.

Students communicate via e-mail with other students to learn about pets, animals of interest , and geography from different parts of the world. Vocabulary focuses on rural, urban, and suburban areas.

Students study about the first people that came to the Lansing area. After reading a series of stories students have gained an examineing of how people in the 1800s and 1900s dressed. They design trading cards to portray their settler...

A gem of a lesson plan! Analyze what makes stones valuable and their aesthetic value. Young gemologists use the Internet to choose what stone they are interested in and then write an advertisement.

Fling your class members “into the heart of things primordial” with a Venn diagram activity that highlights how the same themes are treated in the film and book versions of The Call of the Wild. Consider extending the exercise by having...

Students conduct field research of a historical site in order to discover a more complete understanding of a time period. They choose one particular historical figure and write a short poem about the site from the historical person's...

Young scholars explore perspectives. In this diversity lesson, students examine cultural perspectives and world views as they complete activities that challenge them to compare American norms to norms of other cultures.

Students view video and watch an artist create a potlatch (gift necklace).  In this community and resources lesson, students understand the culture of Northwest Coast Art & Traditions  .  Students create their own...

How far would your pupils go to be able to have access to books? Revisit Heather Henson and David Small's That Book Woman and challenge class members to take on the role of Cal or the Book Woman. By putting themselves in someone else's...

Communicating clearly is one part of a successful conversation, but listening to others is just as important. Individuals with special needs plan calm responses and reactions to differing opinions with a collaborative activity.

Take advantage of Banned Book Week to pique young scholars' interest and get them reading! Create a classroom display of previously banned books and allow each member of your class to choose one to read. After they have read their book,...

Student read a section of Shakespeare's, Julius Caesar to identify the context. In this Shakespeare instructional activity, students discuss a section of Julius Caesar to determine how Cassius feels about Antony. They work with a partner...

Using informational text to make cross cultural comparisons is a great way to build a global understanding and comparative analysis skills. With several handy worksheets and a Venn diagram the class will read to make cross textual...

Seventh graders compare and contrast the leadership of George Washington and Cincinnatus. In this historical perspectives instructional activity, 7th graders research the noted Web sites to answer questions about the 2 men.

Students explore the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. They research various perspectives, discuss the events in context, and write statements from the perspective of a country or organization involved.

How can December 21 be the shortest day of the year when all days are 24 hours long? Pupils see how to build a model showing the differences between winter and summer solstices and equinoxes. Using this model, classes can then discuss...

Group members take on roles to create a positive classroom community. Learners perform their role—leader, recorder, presenter, timekeeper, encourager, and collector—in preparation for a formal presentation of their positive thinking...

Phrases such as "This paper is going to be about" and "I am going to tell you about" do not make for effective thesis statements. A handout from the UNC Writing Center helps writers break from those phrases to craft effective thesis...

The Kepler missions discovered and confirmed more than 2,650 exoplanets to date. A video shares the data from the first five discoveries. It provides graphs and diagrams to put each discovery in perspective to help scholars discuss the...

Ninth graders synthesize their inquiry paths, research process, and claim formulation with a writing assessment at the end of the unit. Learners write a one-page perspective about their conclusions from the research process and outcomes...