Fourth graders make a drawing of a town along a river off of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Upon completion, they give an oral description of their town, including its houses, stores, businesses, farm area, government, etc., and will...

Have a class discussion on diversity. With your class, explore the ideas of prejudice, fear, suspicion and individual rights. Discuss the benefits of uniqueness and how diversity contributes to strength and unity.

Use this political cartoon as a class warm up or discussion starter. Upper graders examine the role of newspapers as government watchdogs. Items for consideration are available, alongside a vivid cartoon.

Third graders understand the importance of Daniel Boone and the Wilderness Road in the settling of the West. The Cumberland Gap is explored in detail along with other historical figures of the times, as well as myths that survived about...

Students research human shields, mostly European peace activists who stand against war. They guard civilian sites to prevent attack on schools, hospitals, etc. Student research is to include articles by those who support the war as well...

Looking in the cabinet can be fascinating! Examine the various departments of the Executive Cabinet in this group research project, which jigsaws so each small group has a different department and presents to the class. Groups create...

Welcome your class back to school! They will participate in a character education lesson plan in order to build community at the school. First they identify needs of new students by putting themselves in their shoes and create welcome...

Young scholars explore the concept of financial literacy. They read an article about the lack of financial literacy among teenagers, discuss what if means to be financially literate, the research a career that will allow them to live...

The class reads the description of the "Drawing of an African Burial Ground Grave In Situ" then completes a work sheet. They act like archaeologists and answer a series of critical thinking questions to better understand the historical...

Focusing on Martin Luther King Jr, this lesson explores the qualities of a leader. First, learners listen to a story about Ruby Bridges. Then, they discuss the life of Martin Luther King Jr. Finally, they discuss the characteristics of...

Discover the five main elements political cartoonists use—symbolism, captioning and labels, analogy, irony, and exaggeration—to convey their point of view.

Students write directions explaining how to get from one location to another by using a map of their town and use simple maps to identify and locate places.

One of the most confusing aspects of any presidential election year is the role of the Electoral College. Learners read a bit about how the Electoral College works and then they hold a mock election in their classroom. They'll redraw a...

Students become aware of the ways in which packaging is designed to attract kids. In a series of activites, students compare similar food products, assess nutritional value, and participate in field trip to see how packaging affects...

Young scholars investigate patterns of immigration in the US while comparing and contrasting the ideas of citizenship and non-citizenship. They decide how education plays a role in citizenship.

Learners watch a video clip discussing the story about the mayor and answer the following: What kind of people should be role models for students today +++ Are they politicians and government employees, movie stars, or professional...

Students create and color three-dimensional ornaments reflecting December's many cultural celebrations. They decide which symbol they wish to create as an ornament, draw or trace the outline of the symbol, and follow directions as they...

Students will investigate the Greek Mythology of gods and goddesses. This is a large unit and a mind map will be developed. An essential question will be answered to encourage students to develop higher thinking skills.

Student gains insight into the culture of Japan. They articulate the main ideas and supporting details, also they create a "glimpse of Japan" with an illustrated and written summary of the main idea and four supporting details from the...

Students conduct research and gather information regarding various cities in Africa. They discover what it would take to travel to and through Africa and plan a trip through various regions of the continent. They present their itinerary,...

Students engage in a instructional activity that is focused upon the concepts of energy and its relationship to climate change. They focus upon the production of greenhouse gases and global warming. Students discuss the climate of...

First and second graders construct a contract for classroom rules. They define a contract and then choose rules for classroom behavior. Each learner writes these rules down on a class rules contract worksheet (included).

The end of WWII brought big changes around the world, not the least of which occur in the increasingly decolonized continent of Africa. This slideshow details the developing countries of Ghana, Kenya, Congo, Nigeria, and South Africa, to...

Use these worksheets to kick off a great lesson on The Crusades. Eighth graders will analyze a map and four short passages to answer six reading comprehension questions.