First graders read and explore the folktale, The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind. In this folktale lesson, 1st graders read the tale and describe the sun. There are several interdisciplinary extensions included: students illustrate...

Students recreate an "American Idol" contest in which they present their favorite books to their classmates using arguments for and excerpts from the books. Following the presentation, students will be polled and the least popular books...

Young scholars discover how to read nutrition labels. In this nutrition lesson, students review important vocabulary words, such as "sodium" and "calories." Young scholars practice reading labels from various containers of food and...

Students listen to the story The Contest between the Sun and the Wind.  In this Sun and Wind story students answer comprehension questions and retell the story through role playing with character puppets.  Students create paper...

Students investigate the relationship between the sun and wind.  In this reading comprehension lesson, students read the book The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind, and observe the effect of the Sun and wind on our planet....

Second graders read fables by Aesop and learn about the famous storyteller. In this fables lesson plan, 2nd graders discuss questions about Aesop and then write their own fable.

Read a short book with your first graders! Anansi and the Tug O' War is the focus of this lesson. After reading the African story together, they complete language arts activities to practice reading comprehension. A stellar...

How are raptors and airplanes alike? Combine science and language arts in this fun and interactive project. Young scientists research the animal in order to design their own aircraft, and compete in a contest for farthest, fastest, and...

Students use a variety of linked sites to research information about student inventions and contests that are available for them. They research an invention they would like to see become available. They communicate their results to their...

Young scholars investigate the bread baking process through the use of literature. In this reading comprehension lesson, students read the book, The Little Red Hen and discuss the steps the hen followed to bake bread. Young scholars bake...

After reading a Native American legend about dreamcatchers, why not make some. This resource provides several good links that explain the legend of the dreamcatcher and step-by-step instructions for making them with the class. Tip: If...

Students explore oceanography by conducting an environmental experiment in class. In this oil spill lesson, students discuss the human need for oil and what is at stake when we drill for oil in our oceans. Students read a book in class...

Students develop a strategy for furthering the First Amendment interest and knowledge in the school through posters, school-wide announcements, speakers, contests and more during the rest of the school year. Student research about free...

Students explore botany by participating in a language arts activity. In this garden poetry instructional activity, students read the classic poem "Mary, Mary Quite Contrary" and discuss the imagery and rhyming methods used. Students...

Students create entries for the Architects of America contest, including a model of a futuristic structure, blueprints, a list of all plane and solid shapes in the structure, a persuasive argument paper that describes why the structure...

Second graders use the writing process and submit a story to www.kids.com.  In this story writing lesson, 2nd graders choose a topic for a story contest.  Students develop their stories.  Students complete a  her...

Students consider the two finalists in the contest for architectural designs for the site of the World Trade Center. They create their own designs for a meaningful public space, then critique each other's designs.

Students read and answer questions based on One Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. In this tolerance lesson, students record their feelings and reflections during discussion of the book. Students create a dress using their own ideas.

Learners discuss whether honesty really is the best policy with a instructional activity on "The Empty Pot," a Chinese fable about integrity. After reading the story, class members answer several comprehension and reflection...

Students reflect on the overnight success of Susan Boyle, a contestant on "Britain's Got Talent."  In this lesson, students read a short history of the rise of the star, then complete numerous activities that reinforce their...

Learners study the Tran-Atlantic Slave Trade and learn to evaluate historical arguments. For this slave trade lesson, students read about the Atlantic Slave System. Learners take notes on slave trade and make a timeline for the...

Learners appreciate how families are important to the expansion and progress of a country. In this biographies instructional activity, students read a biography and write their biographies including photos. Learners create family trees.

Students explore the harsh conditions of Spain's Rio Tinto River and research the microbes that nonetheless manage to thrive there. They synthesize their knowledge by creating a reality television show set in the Rio Tinto with microbes...

Students engage in a lesson which is designed as a literacy connection to science lessons on the effects of water on plants. This lesson uses an excellent Reading Rainbow episode on the effect of drought, and then rainfall, have on the...