Thoroughly delve into My Antonia by Willa Cather with a plethora of activities. Engage scholars with videos and web sites in this week-long unit that explains the historical context and creates pioneers in the field of research. An...

You have just hit the lesson plan jackpot! This isn't just a lesson, it's a ten-day unit covering westward expansion, pioneer life, and the Oregon Trail. Activities include baking, model building, role-play, newspaper writing, science...

Here is a fabulous series of lesson plans on four of the most celebrated artists of the Old Western period in American history. Learners study the works of Charles King, George Catlin, Albert Bierstadt, and Thomas Moran. The pack is...

Utilizing the Nebraska State Quarter, pupils learn about the pioneers who had wagons that were pulled across Nebraska by oxen during the westward movement. Excellent worksheets are embedded in the plan that guide them through this fine...

Students use their photo analysis skills to gain an understanding of what pioneer life in Canada may have been like by examining historical photos. Students are then given an opportunity to present their findings to the class in a...

Dirt babies are an excellent way to show young botanists the plant life cycle. They explore the functions and industry behind grasses before growing some of their own. Use the informational text here and consider implementing some...

Students describe the pioneering work of researcher Edward W. Nelson and identify everyday objects that aid in understanding a culture. In this everyday objects instructional activity, students conduct their own research into everyday...

Fourth graders compare and contrast the rules and responsibilities of children from today and in the past. In groups, they compare and contrast their daily lives with a child in history. After taking a field trip, they discuss how...

Pupils discover details of pioneer life. In this history lesson, students examine artifacts and play games from pioneer times.

Students explore the steps of protein synthesis in zebrafish. They view video clips to identify the parts of a zebrafish and observe them as they sequence the developmental stages. In groups they identify the muscles and how proteins are...

Students discover the famous women who changed society by setting positive examples.  In this equality lesson, students research a female person who had a positive effect on the world by fighting for her equal rights.  Students...

Students interpret a message sent to space using a radio telescope and draw inferences from the interpreted message. Working with a partner, they interpret data that scientists believe is a message from aliens. They work on organizing...

Here is a nicely designed lesson plan on ancestry and family history. In it, learners read an article entitled, "Where Were Your Ancestors in 1871?" Then, they make up a series of questions to profile their family and their community 100...

As an anticipatory set, biologists listen to the story of Ruth Patrick, a scientist who used algae to detect water quality. They observe a demonstration of osmosis and diffusion. In their lab groups, they place Elodea stalks in...

Students investigate their environment by growing plants in class.  For this botany lesson, students discuss the lifespan of plants and animals and how they must be cared for continuously over time.  Students grow a plant in...

Sixth graders are read excerpts of the book "Pioneer Girl" by their teacher. Using the text, they discover what life was like on the Canadian Prairies during the 1880s. They discuss why people moved west and the expansion of the railroad...

Learners distinguish between diffusion and osmosis and describe ways that drugs can be administered.  In this diffusion lesson students research career paths and create a presentation to give to the class. 

Fourth graders pack their imaginary handcart with the necessary items and take into account the bulk and weight of it. They discuss what would happen if one ran out of a certain material.

Fourth graders examine the life and achievements of promident African-Americans. As a class, they participate in acting out various scenes of a play which represents the Civil Rights era. They discuss how the world might be different...

Students explore geography by reading a story about Florida. In this Florida vegetation lesson, students read the book Strawberry Girl and identify the locations in Florida that are mentioned in the book. Students identify the type of...

Students explore psychology by answering gender study questions. In this sexuality lesson, students discuss the stereotypes often referred to men and woman and what the truth is about their characteristics and abilities. Students...

Students study women aviators and act out a talk show-style interview with one of them. They plot Amelia Earhart's flights on a map.

Students investigate the necessity of water for the survival of plants, animals, and people. They explore the affect that water has on human and natural environments through literature, field trips, and discussions.

Fifth graders investigate how a pond ecosystem can change into a prairie or grassland ecosystem. They observe a small pond ecosystem in a two liter soda bottle, and examine and record changes over a two-week period of time on a worksheet.