It's never too early to start saving for retirement. In fact, the earlier one starts, the better! Use this retirement planning activity to teach the importance of a retirement strategy and why to start at a young age. 

Students participate in a game in which one group acts as the company and the other group acts as the employees. They examine what happens when the company files for bankruptcy. They discover labor strategies as well.

Students make papier-mache people.  In this relationship building lesson, students develop a relationship with a local retirement center or nursing home and get to know at least one of the residents.  Students make a...

“Humanscape No.65” by Melesia Casas and Ester Hernandez’s “Sun Maid Raisins” launch a study of how works of art can advocate for social change. After examining these two works and discussing the human rights issues raised, class members...

Students experience Colonial life and explore the customs of the 17th century. For this colonial America lesson plan, students play dress up, barter items, author pledges, and review 17th century etiquette.

Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students visit a retirement home with their classmates. Students deliver cards and plants to the residents there.

Students color in one of Keith Haring's design 3 different ways to compare how color effects a drawing. In this color lesson plan, students display their paintings and compare them as a class.

Fifth graders videotape an interview with a community member. In this service learning project, 5th graders are matched with a resident at a local retirement center. The students spend time corresponding with this person and ultimately...

Students create a living history book about themselves and read it to a senior friend. In this living history lesson plan, students complete a project about the living history of their lives by filling out venn diagrams and sharing it...

Students participate in a community service project. For this service lesson, students travel to a group outside the classroom such as a retirement home, hospital or day care. Students perform a song and read a book with a buddy from...

Learners explore materials and experiment with stencil process. Students study positive verses negative shape. They experiment with color planning and learn what happens when colors overlap. They work with personal symbols and/or...

Students explore gardening. In this agriculture lesson, students plan and plant seeds according to the procedure modeled by a "master gardener." Flowers are distributed at a local retirement home.

Students discover the process of planting chili. After comparing two types of seeds students plant and with the use of a digital camera, record the seed progress. When ready for transplant, students take young plants to a retirement...

Students discover the benefits of writing letters to multigenerational pen pals.  For this pen pal lesson, students identify a need for communication among the generations.  Students begin a pen pal program with the elders in...

Investigate the stock market as it relates to the business world. Young scholars investigate ways to invest their money for the future. They make a presentation and discuss their findings with the class.

Analyze the process of printmaking and explore how prints reflect an artist's view of society. After viewing and analyzing the prints of Elizabeth Catlett, class members create an inner tube and a linoleum block print. They then research...

Learn the difference between saving money and investing money, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. Kids review banking and personal finance terms before studying the different ways that people can reach their financial...

Fifth graders answer questions such as: Where does my family come from? What was it like for my ancestors to grow up as America developed? What differences in society were present then? What was similar to today? students conduct...

Second graders create a story and role-play the story using edible items to create a final story-video project. In this edible story lesson plan, 2nd graders write their own stories using literary format and elements. Students then...

Students engage in the election process. In this public office lesson, students review the election and campaign process then design a campaign for their own selected office election using provided guidelines and links.

Students design printing blocks with patterns cut with scissors and/or Speedball Linozip Cutters. They print colorful repeating, alternating or tessellating pattern designs of difficulty appropriate for their age level.

Students, in pairs, develop two poems--one must be a haiku, the other must be a tanka. They recite their poems to the class.

Fifth graders design their own hot air balloon. In this science activity, 5th graders investigate how factors like weight and sizes affect a balloon's lifting power. They also write math problems based on facts written in the...

Students identify acts of philanthropy in different works of literature. They idenify and illustrate examples in colonial America. They also read "Miss Rumphius" on how they can make the world a more beautiful place.