Middle schoolers read excerpts from memoirs written by Gary Paulsen as examples of how to write a narrative piece. They identify figurative language used and then they write a memoir of their own that contains imagery and figurative...

Students evaluate and reflect upon the books that they are reading, and recommend favorite books to other readers in the class. They also write book reviews to reflect their attitudes about the books they read, and nominate books they...

Students explore the best approaches to reading with book buddies (younger students). Students create a student-friendly definition for "mentor" and identify traits of a success that a mentor displays. They examine literature for...

Students explore building new friendships during the first week of school. They participate in a variety of getting to know each other activities. Students work cooperatively and develop collegial relationships with their classmates.

Students examine the need for rules to keep order at home, in school, in communities, and in the country using trade books and teamwork activities. They work in cooperative groups to define a positive learning community by writing a...

Students participate in a class discussion about their family structures. Students also discuss the family diversity of their peers and others in the world. They investigate family habits, family history, values and traditions their...

Third graders listen as their teacher reads them a book. In groups, they are given a story and time to practice a skit. After taking suggestions from their teacher, they perform their skit and receive feedback from the class. They can...

Students distinguish between walking, jogging and running trackways in humans. They analyze the phylogenetic progression of the leg position as described by pace width and angulation, comparing amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Research...

Students watch the movie Shrek and compose a text that displays an understanding of the film. Also, they create writing that reflects a critical analysis of content and a personal interpretation of the film's meaning.

Students investigate numbers, ways of representing numbers, relationships among numbers and number systems. They comprehend the meaning of operations and how they relate to each other.

Students take the opportunity to discover how teamwork can be used for problem solving and critical thinking skills. They use a duplicated picture of The Colossal Head which is cut into puzzle pieces and reassemble.

Students are introduced to a unit on endangered species. They study the diversity of endangered animals through a game of charades. After the game, students will discuss the animals that were acted out and why some of them are endangered.

Middle schoolers research literature in a new way by searching the Web in a scavenger hunt for information about books and authors. After the hunt, they publish their answers in an interactive slide show for presentation to the class.

Young scholars research the contributing factors to the Earth's paleoclimate. They determine the relevant climate data and use it to construct a science argument. In the process, they access data, capture images of the data plots, and...

High schoolers explore a career in journalism while using various forms of technology; such as, distance learning via the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) and the Internet. They have the opportunity to create a final project that is...

Students define and give examples of visual stereotypes. They research how common misconceptions foster visual stereotypes about Muslim women. Students identify famous women and the significance of the veil in different cultures.

Young scholars read chapters 1-5 of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. They are asked to describe each of the four siblings-their personalities, actions, and relationships with one another. Students discuss the definition of...

Young scholars spend the lesson reviewing for their Genetics exam. In groups, they compare and contrast the structures of DNA and RNA and discuss how DNA can cause mutations. To end the lesson, they share their knowledge on the...

Young scholars 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...

Students engage in a study of incorporating literature into the Social Studies classroom. They review a variety of literature sources and then create a bulletin board with the information. Then students practice using the Reader's...

Students identify with and interpret the role of organized crime in the development of one of America's most vibrant cities. Then they look into the city's establishment and development, follow the role of organized crime in its...

Students investigate the historical events that have surrounded The Space Race. They conduct research using a variety of resources and focus upon the progress between Russia and The United States. Students describe the events that led up...

Sixth graders investigate the concept of Greek Mythology and conduct research using a variety of resources. They read literature pieces and then write responses to the readings. Students also view a video in order to create the context...

For this history of opera worksheet, students explore and research what an opera is and then answer four questions regarding the history of opera in complete sentences.