As Ken Jennings said, "There's just something hypnotic about maps." Certainly, the longer you look at them the more you can learn. In this project-based learning instructional activity, individuals study both historic and...

Coming up on the Olympics? Be sure your middle schoolers understand the dynamic and ancient history of this global tradition. They begin by recalling traditions parents have passed down, considering their relevance and ways they might be...

Students create a timeline and reinforce the concepts of past, present and future as well as scale.

The concept of change over time is presented in this history lesson. In it, learners discuss how some things stay the same over time, while other things change. Teams of students research and create a timeline of important events that...

Where did our beloved Summer Games originate? Kids look for the origins of the Summer Olympics in our ancient past. They research how the Games came to be and how they have changed. They'll complete Venn diagrams to compare and contrast...

Learners analyze the evolution of cultural attitudes through the lens of transportation, examining several artifacts, documents, and photographs. Topics covered include how American attitudes have influenced society's evolution into a...

High schoolers examine the destruction caused by earthquakes. In this community safety lesson, students examine the risk involved in living in an earthquake zone and how to prepare for future earthquakes.

Second graders explore the lives of actual people who make a difference in their everyday lives. They differentiate between events that happened long ago and events that happened yesterday by studying their family histories. The unit...

Seven major abstract art movements are analyzed by learners in groups. Each group analyzes various works by determining which work belongs to which movement. They then read Flatland, engage in an art and literary analysis discussion,...

Students understand the importance of physical fitness as part of a healthy lifestyle.  In this health lesson students create a display and presentation about what they learned. 

Pupils write a letter to future residents of their town to complete a time capsule activity. In this letter writing lesson, students discuss the ideas of past, present, and future and review writing conventions. Pupils study images from...

First graders use an October calendar to trace numbers, trace letters, and identify dates as being in the past, present, and future. In this Social Studies lesson plan, 1st graders label events on the calendar in order to gain deeper...

Students examine the theme of independence in American history by participating in a class-wide paper quilt project. Each student creates three quilt squares representing the past, present and future of independence in the United States.

Students create tri-fold biographical brochures. Each of the sections of the brochure refers to either the past, present or future of the student. They use the back of the brochure to list ways to be successful in high school and reach...

Students explore school history by documenting daily life. In this time capsule lesson, students discuss the impact a fire had on their school during the previous year and identify ways to preserve information about their school by...

Can knowing about things of the past help predict the types of things seen in the future? Advanced learners consider the idea that things extend. In other words, concrete things like bridges and intangible things like ideas extend from...

Discuss your class' vision of the future. Learners create materials for use in a time capsule. They write letters to explain their contribution and provide photos.  Afterwards, they use higher-level thinking skills to reflect on why...

Allow your classes to research what interests them. An engaging STEM lesson, the fourth in the series of six, asks individuals to choose a topic of interest and analyze the data through regression models. The regression equations allow...

Students study the German language. They research in small groups and create a Power Point presentation, write an essay with 15 sentences in German, prepare a food or wear a costume, and give an oral presentation.

Learners consider the stories of two immigrants and translate their past, present and future into original pieces of writing or artwork.

The first step in managing your money is making money! Learn about ways to find and interview for a job with a thorough lesson on personal finances. Kids learn about the ways to earn a paycheck and then manage the funds they receive.

Students analyze and discuss the 19th Amendment, and read the document, Why Women Want to Vote. Students illustrate statements from the handbill, then conduct a play about women's suffrage.

Learners research the ancient Olympic Games. In this Olympic Games activity, students discuss Pierre de Coubertin, Greek culture, and ancient Olympia. Learners complete two readings. Students write an essay about the spirit of Olympism,...

Students read poetry and a biography of poet Anne Carson as part of a creative writing lesson. In this poetry analysis lesson, students read about the poet, read her poetry, and analyze a photograph to then write a poem. Students write...