Sixth graders study the Olmec civilization. They develop a map of Mexico and a map of the area of the Olmec civilization. They research Olmec art, religion, and architecture. They construct Olmec symbols including giant heads, altars,...

Students explore marketing techniques. In this media awareness lesson, students watch instructor-selected advertising and identify the marketing techniques used in each of them. Students then create advertisements for products.

Fourth graders explore vocabulary by reading a contemporary story in class. In this English literature lesson, 4th graders read the story A Cricket in Times Square and practice using the vocabulary words from the story. Students...

Students examine the role of shadow puppets. They create their own puppet and put on a play.

Students evaluate Lincoln's impact on American History. In this Civil War instructional activity, students view a film clip of writings about Lincoln. Students take notes and compare how the writings define his legacy. Students write...

Students play various games to help create a classroom community. In this name recognition lesson, students combine their name recognition skills with newly learned art and geometric vocabulary. First students discover vocabulary that...

Students examine the role of men in the American Ballet Theatre. In this ballet lesson, students watch segments of the Great Performances video "Dance in America: Born to be Wild: The Leading Men of the American Ballet Theatre." Students...

Students recognize how chromatic scales create tension and pentatonic scales create relaxation as compositional techniques used to create tonality. Also, students aurally recognize the use of mixed or alternating meter as a means of...

Students mix colors to make new colors. In this color mixing lesson, students listen to Leo Lionni's Petit Bleu et Petit Jaune, before retelling the beginning, middle, and end of the story. They watch as the teacher mixes food coloring...

Students create papier-mache masks showing different human emotions. In this mask lesson, students choose what facial expression they want and sketch out their mask and background. They form the "face" in clay and then papier-mache over...

Students design and create their own masks using the symbolism evident in Peking opera masks.

Students study the ways in which one room schoolhouses were an integral part of Canadian society. They explore the economic, geographic, and cultural contributions to their establishment and speculate about and compare education...

Students explore Native American weaving patterns and dance movements. In this Native Americans lesson, students view examples of weaving patterns on the Internet and compare the patterns to a Native American dance. Students demonstrate...

Student's read Arthur's Nose and view the changes in Arthur's nose. For this Arthur lesson, students define difficult vocabulary, discuss choices and sing to the tune of Old MacDonald had a Farm. Students create a new nose for Arthur.

Young scholars discuss the attributes that a hero can have and what it takes to be a Distinguished American, and be commemorated on a stamp.  In this courage lesson plan, students research an everyday hero that they know about and...

Students identify opportunity costs. In this resources instructional activity students are read the story Something from Nothing by Phoebe Gilman. Students list the things Grandpa makes Joseph. Students state why people make choices.

Students read the "Chicago Tribute Markers of Distinction," and pick one famous person to write about. In this creative writing worksheet, students write about this person's home. Additionally, students pretend that 100 years from now, a...

Learners discuss dance elements and create a dance map. They choose a dance theme and incorporate movement into their dance maps and choreography. They also experiment with different types of music.

Students explore economics by reading classic literature with their classmates. In this farm production lesson, students read the famous story Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Students complete handouts based upon...

Learners make a list of every day symbols they know of and write down what each symbol stands for. Then they are asked to help their knowledge further by considering all the meanings various symbols might have.

Students study and perform Aesop's fables. In this Aesop's fables instructional activity, students read and/or listen to a number of the famous fables. They make masks based on the characters and perform a fable using the masks. They...

Students investigate the dramatic elements of a Streetcar Named Desire. In this drama lesson, students explore the theme of the Tennessee Williams play as they read the play and watch performances of some of the acts. Students then write...

Learners create a video animation of how Swimmy gathered his fish friends together to form a great big fish that would frighten the predator tuna away. In art class each child create a small red fish which gets displayed in the ocean...

Third graders become familiar with the German pickle, part of the Christmas celebration in Germany. In this German pickle lesson, 3rd graders listen to the story of the German pickle and its significance to the German Christmas...