Strap on those backpacks, it's time to travel through history with this literature unit based on the first four books of The Magic Tree House series. While reading through these fun stories, children create story maps, record...

Explore nonfiction writing with your class. They will identify elements in nonfiction by reviewing elements of fiction. Then they use biographies, memoirs, menus, Time for Kids, and text books to identify elements of nonfiction. They...

Students study the life of John Chapman and compare it with the fictional character, Johnny Appleseed. Students listen to books about Johnny Appleseed, and watch a video and PowerPoint if available. They make a KWL chart, make an online...

Pupils practice summarizing techniques in this instructional activity. They listen as the teacher reads from a non-fiction article, and the class creates a story map to highlight the most important facts from the article. They use the...

Sixth graders read and utilize the facts from the story "Abd al-Rahmen Ibrahima" by Walter Dean Myers to analyze the main character's life which is ruined by conflict, jealousy, and greed. Journal entries are created in response to the...

Read various texts to compare the themes across each text. Learners write a journal entry describing the most beautiful scenery they've seen and use a map of the United States to locate the Sequoia National Park and Muir Woods. They then...

Second graders practice asking the 5 W questions by reading a Boxcar Children book.  In this journalism instructional activity, 2nd graders read a single story from the Boxcar Children series and answer the 5 W's about each...

Students read "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" and discuss factual information in the book. They research whales and use information to write a narrative story. They take their stories through the writing process.

Fifth graders are introduced to different aspects of African-American history through literature, art, and films. As a class, they are read a story about the Underground Railroad, identify the main characters and put the events into...

Young scholars engage in a reading activity to learn about the Appalachia Mountains. The use of literature is important to provide context for the geography lesson. This lesson is strong because it allows the teacher to teach across the...

Students analyze and differentiate between various genres of literature. They view a slideshow, take a true/false quiz, create an Idea Pad file, and create an idea map of the various genres.

Learners investigate, read, and discuss about other famous Afro-American leaders. Students compare/contrast slaves home, activities, etc. with that of Afro- Americans today. Learners create a time line to post on the wall of Harriet's...

Students examine the political status of Puerto Rico. In this global studies lesson, students explore Puerto Rico and consider the feelings of Puerto Ricans regarding their unique political status.

Second graders are introduced to the American Indian tribes - Eastern Woodland and Plains Indians. They complete various comparison activities to explore how differently they lived.

Fifth graders discuss concepts of diversity, culture, and prejudice, gain understanding of harm caused by prejudice, and demonstrate ability to think critically and a desire to act morally.

Students explore the concept of big, bigger, and biggest. They examine and classify items by size, listen to and discuss the book "A Pig is Big," complete a fill in the blank activity, and create a tri-fold that illustrates two items...

Learners read a book about World War II and the Holocaust while in small literature circles. They write journal entries and news articles based on the reading.

Students explore the migration of African Americans into the Hoosier area. They develop a time line showing migration patterns in Indiana and explore reasons for African Americans to settle and/or travel through Indiana.

Third graders examine the Journey of Lewis and Clark and how it relates to Thomas Jefferson and Monticello. They read about, discuss and complete worksheet pertaining to the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Third graders, in groups, select and research a favorite studenT author or illustrator. They answer questions about the author, conduct research and prepare a PowerPoint presentation with their findings.

Students reseach animals while working in groups. They write poems to be included in a class Animalopedia book.

Students complete a graphic organizer reviewing Barb Hoffman's prior instructional activity," Slave Songs (1840-1876)" as well as listen to and discuss Delta Blues music samples. Students research one Delta Blues singer and write a...

Third graders log on to the net, type in the address for Scholastic and browse the subjects for the week. They select one area of interest and generate five interesting facts about the article.