Teach middle schoolers how to develop healthy relationships with activities and lessons designed to create a kind and inclusive classroom. Pupils create guidelines to develop a safe and civil learning environment. They learn how to...

Not only does this social story tell kids what to expect on Mother's Day but it also offers an explanation for why we celebrate moms and includes suggestions for possible Mother's Day gifts.

Everyone learns and experiences life differently. A set of lessons about character intensities encourages middle and high schoolers to analyze themselves, their peers, and characters from a book based on the five listed intensities:...

Many of us have multiple identities. There's who we are at home, school, friends, and strangers. And often these identities come with different names. The third activity in the First Days of School series examines how names reflect...

Students develop their social skills and learn what it means to be responsible. In this responsibility lesson plan, students read a book about the topic, discuss the book, and list reasons why to act responsibly. Students work in groups...

There is no more useful life skill to learn than budgeting and setting financial goals. It's math that is used by every person, everyday. Learners examine the responsibilities and costs involved in family economics. Through a series of...

“What do you mean that my language is improper?” Prior to My Fair Lady was Pygmalion. Fair Eliza’s struggles with English, which according to George Bernard Shaw “is not accessible even to Englishmen,” come alive in the 1938 film version...

Inspire your class to write about role models and personal heroes with this resource from The Learning Network. Class members read a New York Times article excerpt about basketball star Jeremy Lin and how he inspired the author. After...

Names come with all sorts of nuances and can influence how we see ourselves and how others see us. To gain insight into the power of names, class members journal about their names and then read a short essay about a girl and her feelings...

In the post-pandemic classroom, it's more important than ever to begin the school year by building a strong sense of trust and community. Using the Make Meaning and Big Paper teaching techniques, groups develop a definition of community...

Rumpelstiltskin understood the power of names. The second lesson in the First Days of School series focuses on building community by recognizing the importance of the relationships among names, identities, and cultures. Learners engage...

Scholars continue their exploration of the concept of community by first completing an anticipation guide and then engaging in a Four Corners activity to share their responses. They analyze an essay in which the author defines community...

Define the word perseverance to have learners understand why it is important in reaching goals. Young scholars research how Martin Luther King needed perseverance to accomplish his goals. They write acrostic poems using the word...

Students examine their personal feelings regarding exclusive groups. In this character education lesson, students conduct mini-debates as they discuss how they relate to one another regarding exclusive social groups.

The 1955 murder of Emmett Till is often regarded as the catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century. Learn more about the brutal crime—and, as many believe, the miscarriage of justice—that began a national conversation...

Many of the issues facing 21st Century learners are challenging and even discussing these issues can be a challenge. So how do teachers prepare learners for these difficult conversations? How do instructors create a safe classroom where...

Here is a good way for children to identify ways to handle conflict. They discuss the connection between feelings and conflict. Everyone listens to a story about a conflict between two friends and they discuss what they could have done...

Encourage kindness and compassion in your class with a colorful poster. A picture shows one boy helping another up, and an inspirational quote tells kids not to look down upon one another.

Coming to America as an immigrant can be an emotional and difficult process. This lesson has learners explore what it means to be an immigrant, listen to real life accounts, and visit an online museum. This is a wonderful discussion...

Students help their community. In this character counts activity, students discuss problems facing the world and their community. They come up with solutions to some of these problems. 

Seventh graders examine the trait of kindness. In this character education lesson, 7th graders discuss pro-social behavior and design personal plans to share kindness.

Young scholars analyze the importance of being a socially healthy citizen. In this character education lesson, students brainstorm personal traits that they think make the world a better place. Young scholars compile their ideas as a...

Young scholars identify feelings and learn how to handle conflict. In this character education lesson, discuss what to do when a friend is feeling sad and develop positive ways to handle negative feelings.

Students identify their feelings and learn constructive ways of handling conflict. In this feelings and conflict instructional activity, students read a story about conflict and identify ways to understand emotions and resolve conflict.