Pupils pretend that they are visiting a relative in Micronesia and compare its Independence Day with the U.S. holiday. They compare the two countries' flags while older students in grades three through five create travelogues. Younger...

Middle schoolers investigate the architecture found in cemeteries in order to separate different time periods of distinct design. The use of examples helps them to recognize the design in correlation to its time. The lesson is delivered...

Students work together to research one area of history that is of an interest to them. Using primary sources, they examine photographs and disuss what they already know about the topic. They present their images and information to the...

Ninth graders identify and recognize characteristics of nonfiction in literary works, explore language and culture of Gullah people, compare and contrast purposes of spirituals and quilts in terms of their relationships to escape from...

Young scholars examine several pieces of nonfiction relating to African religion, slave religion and present-day evangelical denominations. They work in groups of six or seven to prepare a presentation on one of the following: ...

Ninth graders reflect back on a favorite place they knew as a child. Using Inspiration software, 9th graders write phrases that remind them of their favorite place. Students simulate being a reporter and interview other classmates...

Fifth graders explore poetry. They write a variety of poetry using the writing process. Students choose a topic related to Thanksgiving and write a Thanksgiving themed poem. They write a rough draft and peer edit their poems. Students...

First graders practice listening skills. They listen to a story and discuss the chronological events in the book. Students identify sight words. They write all sight words and discuss them in class.

Second graders identify people of different ages, cultural backgrounds, traditions, and careers. They explain how they contribute to the community. Students sing a song to display the different Christmas traditions that are celebrated in...

Second graders explore Africa. They label the popular places in Africa on a map. Students label the different cities and monuments that are popular in Africa. They discuss the similarities and differences between cities in Africa and...

First graders read "There's A Nightmare in My Closet." They brainstorm what closet monsters could look like. They construct miniature monsters out of construction paper. Students use a variety of different shapes and colors of...

Students examine culture and music of specified areas. They conduct research and design a booth for a chosen culture. With researched information, students decorate a poster, create an informational packet, and locate examples of music.

Ninth graders evaluate the effectiveness of literary techniques including figurative language. They demonstrate an understanding of the main ideas, events, or themes of a variety of novels, stories, poetry, other print material, and...

Students explore the art of the opera. They listen to examples of opera and conduct research to find out more about the opera world. Then they develop advertisements that focus on aspects that might interest young people about opera...

Students study pandemics through the investigational research of the 1918 swine flu. They apply the information by choosing a current virus and role-playing a member of the Centers of Disease Control (CDC).

Pupils read a rhyme together. They are asked to identify the first missing word of the rhyme. Students are asked if they agree with the word. They then use their mouse and select and place the remining words. Pupils read the whole...

Students outline the action in their narrative writing assignments by brainstorming about conflict. In this conflict analysis lesson, students define conflict and discuss the different types of conflict. Students brainstorm about a...

Students complete activities for an independent novel project. In this novel project worksheet, students follow the 13 steps to analyze and complete a comprehensive project about a novel they've read.

Pupils examine a reading selection on how the idea of a white Christmas was developed. In this ESL lesson, students share a class discussion about the article then complete several assignments to reinforce what they learned, including...

Determining the theme is not easy; you have to use the clues the author leaves to figure it out yourself. The author implies information about the story through plot points, setting, and characters. You infer and draw conclusions based...

In this activity students will be introduced to six different fiction genres. They will then practice their knowledge of these genres through a review game.

This article from Library of Congress' Performing Arts Encyclopedia gives an extensive explanation of the history of ragtime. Trace the development of the genre from the 1850s through the 1970s.

[Accessible by TX Educators. Free Registration/Login Required] In this lesson, you will learn to revise your writing for clarity. You will begin by reviewing some major considerations for revision: genre, purpose, and audience. You will...

This lesson, inspired by the novel Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes is a fabulous classroom mentor text that helps teach a very powerful revision strategy: rewriting an idea in a completely different genre. Grimes' book shares short...