Guided by close-reading questions, groups examine the similarities and differences between the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. In addition, they look at how the principles are presented in these two foundational US...

Students demonstrate understanding of shadows by creating a physical model of concepts taught.

Here is an effective way to have your charges practice and model important listening skills. After a short review of effective active listening concepts, such as using body language, summarizing what the other person said, and asking...

Mr. Bojangles was born just after slavery was abolished and became one of the most beloved entertainers of his time. Explore key vocabulary, the life of an African-American entertainer, and the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on...

Learners create a classroom atmosphere that is so positive that even the most discouraged or most shy student feels empowered to participate. They discuss positive and negative words and internal and external locus of control.

Using a remote-controlled robot, junior engineers simulate a hazardous materials removal exercise. This activity will introduce learners to the following careers: robotics technician, hazardous materials specialist, environmental...

Eighth graders design and create a tourist brochure for North Carolina historical sites. They research North Carolina, find and scan pictures for their brochure, use ClarisWorks to form the text, print, display and use constructive...

Students use research skills on the Internet and write a biographical report and present it to the class. They utilize a worksheet that's imbedded in this plan to guide them in their research. students come to school dressed up as their...

Students use their drawings to explore sterotypes of Native Americans and others.

High schoolers recreate a medieval feast, complete with medieval food, costumes, and typical feast customs and procedures. They research and select recipes to prepare, and present their costumes with oral presentations.

Use this 5-day instructional activity to clarify the platforms of the two major parties, comparing and contrasting against students' beliefs. Begin by looking at unlabeled summaries of both party platforms, having learners identify most...

Can you type Pachycephalosaurus? Beginning keyboarders demonstrate basic keyboard typing skills by typing as many dinosaur names as they can in a two-minute time period.

It's time to write! First, lead your emerging writers in a power writing activity. It takes six minutes and focuses on creative brainstorming. The class is given two words (duck and apple are suggested, but alter the words for different...

Students explore how to become better observers, demonstrate point of view as a literary and human function, and learn an important lesson about how to explain differing perspectives in the same situation.

Author Faith Ringgold uses quilts to illustrate her books Tar Beach and Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad. In this integrated trio of activities, young scholars read stories, identify and create patterns, and design quilt squares of...

Upper graders read several passages to gain an understanding of the nations that have adopted a constitution similar to the United States Constitution. This is a scripted lesson that is intended to build content-specific vocabulary and...

Young mathematicians apply problem-solving skills to equations that have more than one variable. They will work through the process to problem solve and discover the solution.

What information would you find in an almanac that you would not find in an atlas? What is the difference between a dictionary and a thesaurus? Using a Cite Your Sites worksheet on which they record their observations, groups participate...

Students explore jazz and its origins by focusing on the people in which Jazz came from.

Eleventh graders explore Jazz in America. They examine greats in Jazz, such as Duke Ellington. They are also to discuss the cultural implications of the music itself.

Students examine the agricultural sources of everyday products and identify food products outside traditional farming circles. They discuss the background information, and complete activity sheets, locating various commodity locations on...

Students investigate writing scenarios that can be performed. They examine the parts and levels of scenarios that can actually be performed.

Get everyone talking! It's rare that a lesson can potentially span from third to twelfth grade, but this one really can! Get two paper bags. Fill one with the names of each learner, and fill the other with random topics you brainstorm....

Sixth graders examine the prairie food chain while designing a rescue strategy for an endangered species. They compare their strategy to that of a professional conservation expert.