Is, as Walt Whitman contends, America’s “almost maniacal appetite for wealth,” the heart of the American dream? Class members grapple with this question as they read David Brooks’ article “The Commercial Republic,” and quotes that...

Students explore why Thanksgiving is celebrated. In this cross-curriculum instructional activity, students listen to the book Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes, and complete the sentence frame "I am thankful for ____." Students...

Students create homes for fairytale characters. In this early childhood lesson plan, students develop literacy, language, and problem-solving concepts as they create block structures related to specific fairy tales.

Students participate in a collaboration activity. In this My Hero Project lesson, students discover what a hero is to someone halfway around the world and themselves. Over the 16-week session, circles, made up of between 6-9 classes from...

Students investigate world news and create a performance from their research.  In this current events lesson plan, students identify major political or news stories in the media and create a performance based on a character they...

Students explore cultural history by participating in an arts and crafts activity. In this weaving lesson, students identify the many cultures that used weaving methods and local plant life to create baskets and other useful tools....

Woody Guthrie will capture the imagination of even your most reluctant learners. Using his work, your class will develop their skills in non-fiction reading comprehension, interpreting primary source material, and use of multiple forms...

Young scholars examine all of the jobs a mother does. In this Mother's Day lesson, the teacher read the book Five Minutes' Peace, then students brainstorm a list of things their mother does. Young scholars role play the job of a mom...

Kindergartners are introduced to basic shapes. Learners spend 45 minutes a day in geometry centers carrying out the activities outlined in this ambitious plan. There are games, hands-on activities, interactive websites, art projects,...

Eighth graders complete a unit of lessons on basic geometry concepts. They participate in a variety of activities, culminating in a project that involves publishing a booklet or a poster that presents the major geometry concepts from the...

Students explore engineering by participating in a mechanical class activity. In this simple machines lesson, students identify many simple machines that allow them to perform tasks easily each day. Students collaborate in small groups...

Students familiarize themselves with the three most common geometric shapes: circles, triangles and parallelograms. They sketch, sort, and name the shapes.

Third graders utilize different types of computer programs, such as Microsoft paint and Microsoft Word to study and create different types of polygons. They use PowerPoint to create a story about a shape and others that it meets during a...

Students analyze the teachings of Barbara Ehrenreich about women and culture. In this women and culture instructional activity, students define "joy" and "collective joy." Students do field research on these topics and write a field...

Middle schoolers create a monthly budget. In this finances instructional activity, students learn the terms budget, income and expenses. Middle schoolers create a monthly spending plan and keep track of what they make and spend for the...

Learners bring in a collection of discarded books. Using the book, they turn it into a piece of art that shows a specific theme. They can use a variety of media and techniques to put their book back together. They are graded based on...

Young scholars discover the letters of the alphabet by participating in a game.  For this phonics lesson, students create books about themselves using their favorite toys and pets.  Young scholars utilize a computer program...

Students study geometric images and polyhedrons. In this geometry lesson, students complete several activities to learn about geometric shapes and classify polyhedrons from polygons. Students watch a video, complete a web-directed...

Students list places that are considered private and public. In this health science lesson, students discuss behavior appropriate for each setting. They complete the assigned checklist.

Explore how language is used for comic effect. Middle schoolers determine which of the three formulas for jokes (double meanings, unexpected outcome, humorous mental image) make each of 18 classic, corny examples funny. They complete a...

After concluding The Catcher in the Rye class members create a found poem using words drawn from J.D. Salinger’s “Both Parties Concerned.” The story, and directions for crafting a found poem, are included with the resource.

Students explain how cells reproduce. In this biology lesson, students explain the different stages of the cell cycle. They calculate the number of new cells produced.

First graders view works from Mondrian such as "Composition with Red, Yellow and Blue" receiving explantion of the primary and secondary colors and the color wheel and vertical and horizontal lines. They glue black strips to the...

Students explore persuasive writing in advertisements. In this advertisements instructional activity, students evaluate tobacco advertisements for persuasion techniques. Students then create a counter advertisement against smoking.