Video games may not be so bad after all. As scholars read the text "The Many Benefits, for Kids, of Playing Video Games," they summarize the gist in their researchers' notebooks. Next, pupils draft supporting research questions based on...

Your learners will take key economic concepts, such as identifying needs versus wants and the four factors of production, and design a video to explain their topic choice to the class. Rather than have one person in charge of dispensing...

What strategies are employed when creating propaganda? Your young historians will learn about six different techniques utilized in the construction of political propaganda, particularly in the advertisements of World War I. The...

Is the expansion of American corporations abroad a good or bad thing? After examining the global operations of Ford Motor Company, McDonald's, and Walmart, class members are asked to evaluate the impact of globalization and...

Is social media the best way to convey news in your school? Young journalists dig deep into the social media question in the second of 16 lessons from The Social Media Toolbox. After learning about the relationship between social media...

Connect global examples of attempted genocide with a well-designed social studies lesson. It includes an excellent informational text with background information on the Holocaust, as well as worksheets, book report guidelines, and...

Imagine how the wolf would tell the tale of Little Red Riding Hood or The Three Little Pigs. Young writers re-imagine classic tales by adopting the point of view of another character in the story. After reading models like The True Story...

Identify examples of strong voice in popular picture books. Young authors add voice to their writing and revise their own writing. In addition, they share their writing with their peers.

What are the elements of a good social media post? The 13th activity in the 16-part Social Media Toolbox incorporates all of the typical components found in a Facebook or Twitter post. Scholars work together to create great posts based...

As part of a media literacy unit, class members establish criteria for good video reporting, and practice giving both positive (warm) and constructive (cool) criticism.

Students explore informative, expressive, directive and performative languages and discuss examples of each. In groups, students research the types of languages, their effectiveness in communicating truth, needs and desires. Students...

Business etiquette is a big deal! Are your scholars prepared to impress in the business world? The third in a series of six college and career readiness lessons focuses on basic behaviors in business situations. Groups research specific...

Students research a human aspect of the Civil War and prepare a written report, skit, project board, or computer slide-show about their findings. They focus on how the war affected families who had members on opposing sides of the conflict.

High schoolers assess persuasive techniques in propaganda. They identify and critique rhetorical devices in primary source documents (sources are not specified, but links to sites that contain various documents are included). Groups make...

These three worksheets will help get your World War I propaganda poster project well on its way! It offers sample images of various types of propaganda topics, such as buying victory bonds or joining military forces. It then provides a...

Finding and/or designing a menu of equally weighted synthesizing projects to end a unit can be a challenge. Simplify the task with this menu of individual and group projects meant to accompany a study of The Crucible. Presentations,...

Students demonstrate their self discipline and motivation by brainstorming their own personal self discipline goals. In this self discipline instructional activity, students analyze examples of self discipline and self control by...

Students identify and explore the characteristics of a good leader. In this leadership instructional activity, students brainstorm a list of good leaders and identify their common characteristics. Students select one of the...

Students read a version of Ramayana and explore the elements of the epic hero cycle. In this Ramayana analysis instructional activity, students retell the basic narrative of the Ramayana and identify the main characters. Students...

Students explore the impact of inventions on society, specifically Edison and the light bulb. In this technology lesson, students use online resources and listen to a story about Edison to develop an understanding of how the light bulb...

Students create a bulletin board documenting good sportsmanship. After reviewing articles in magazines, students choose pieces that document good and bad behavior in sports. They discuss the implications of the behaviors noted in the...

Pupils research examples of resumes on the World Wide Web. They use the good examples to write their own resumes focusing on their strengths.

Werner Herzog's film, Lessons of Darkness is the topic of this instructional activity on art, politics, and culture. Learners discuss the concepts of utopia, dystopia, detournment, and Scorched Earth then compose a paper which describes...

Students discuss their favorite book. In this book discussion lesson, students name the title and tell what makes the book special. Students also review the setting, plot, conflict, and resolution. Students make a book that tells all of...