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James Welch's Fools Crow
Learners explore the history of Montana's Native Americans by reading James Welch's Fools Crow. Set shortly after the Civil War, the novel focuses on a young Blackfoot Indian and his tribe. Over the course of several weeks, class members...
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Analyzing Plot Conflict
Young scholars explore the connection between analyzing a character and the character plot conflict. In this plot conflict instructional activity students role play two characters in the story, The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. Young...
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Big Decisions
Students consider the power of peer pressure. In this making decisions lesson, students watch "Big Decisions," and discuss the impact peers may have on one's health, choice, and risk-taking. Students role play scenarios that require them...
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April Fool's Day
Middle schoolers explore tradition and the month of April by participating in practical jokes. In this United Kingdom holiday activity, students discuss the birth of April Fool's day and what it means to the people of England. Middle...
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What Do You Know About Scotland?
Students investigate global geography by researching the country of Scotland. In this cultural investigation lesson, students view images of Scotland on a computer and listen to audio interviews about Scottish citizens. Students identify...
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Life in Dorset
Middle schoolers investigate a city in England by analyzing images on the web. In this listening comprehension lesson, students practice remembering details after hearing an audio tape about a city in England called Dorset. Middle...
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Closing Lesson: Medieval Feast
Students celebrate medieval-style. For this Middle Ages lesson, students plan a medieval celebration that includes typical decor, entertainment, foods, and dress of the time period. Students invite parents and guests to the feast.
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Resolving Conflicts
Students practice conflict resolution skills. In this personal health lesson, students share incidents of verbal harassment, exclusion, gossip, and unwanted physical contact. Students discuss how to handle the situations and role play...
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Avalanche
Students investigate natural disasters by participating in an experiment. In this water formation lesson, students define the dangers associated with avalanches and landslides. Students utilize a bag of sand, meter-stick and a wood board...
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Fighting 20th-Century Tyranny
Students examine political regimes of the 1900s. In this government structures lesson, students watch "Fighting 20th Century Tyranny," and discuss the Holocaust and communism. Students simulate mock interviews with the individuals in the...
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Writing a Political Leader
Students investigate politics by writing a formal letter. For this U.S. Government lesson, students discuss political issues they would like to address and research their topic using the Internet. Students locate an appropriate political...
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Vocabulary Charades
Students explore new vocabulary words by participating in a group activity. In this vocabulary role-playing lesson, students collaborate in groups to play a game of charades with new vocabulary words. Students are given points based on...
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Hot Air Balloons
Students examine how a hot air balloon works. In this hot air balloon instructional activity, students do an experiment to test the effects of heat on density. Students make their own hot air balloon and act out how nitrogen moves when...
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Lessons from the Holocaust
Students investigate the horrors of World War II by participating in a role-playing activity. In this holocaust instructional activity, students read handouts describing the atrocities committed against the Jews in Germany during the...
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Alexander the Great
Young scholars examine the accomplishments of Alexander the Great. In this ancient civilizations activity, students research the life and leadership of Alexander the Great. Young scholars then script and perform modern news conferences,...
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Faith-Based Initiatives
Students consider the effectiveness of faith-based initiatives. In this religion and ethics lesson, students research issues relative to the separation of church and state. Students investigate the Bush faith-based initiative proposal...
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Segregation
Learners consider the implications of prejudice. In this segregation lesson, students experience a simulation that has school staff favoring learners with blue eyes. Students discuss the simulation experience, watch "The Eye of the...
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The Mayflower Compact
Eighth graders investigate historical documents of the United States by reading the Mayflower Compact. In this U.S. History lesson, 8th graders analyze the wording of the original Mayflower Compact of the first U.S. settlers and...
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Imagine the Food and Imagine a Response
Students experience life in the Secret Annex. In this Holocaust lesson, students participate in a simulation. The simulation places them in the Secret Annex for dinner as residents. Students journal about the experience and the quality...
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Japan Writing Activity
Seventh graders explore the current tensions in Asia by completing a graphic organizer. In this Asian politics lesson, 7th graders examine a Powerpoint slide and news article which gives them the information needed to fill in their...
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The Declaration of Independence
Students empathize with the colonists. For this lesson on the Declaration of Independence, students collaborate to problem solve a school dilemma that enables them to understand the issues and difficulties that occurred in the creation...
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Introduction to the Cold War
Students examine the domino theory. In this cold war activity, students watch a video about dominos and then get into groups that represent different nations. Students will then act out a mock simulation of the containment and domino...
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Looking for Lincoln's Views on Slavery
Young scholars reflect on Abraham Lincoln's views of slavery. For this United States History lesson, students analyze how things have changed in the United States over the course of their lifetime, then use this information as a...
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Holocaust
The Holocaust is the focus of this interactive poetry strategy. The classroom will be set-up to remind students of the Secret Annex, with a table, lamp, and various other props. Each participant will receive 3 Saltine crackers and water...