Use a quick bell-ringer to interest your class in the art of persuasion. They brainstorm where they find examples of persuasion in their lives and identify who is trying to persuade them. Then they either fish through magazines or look...

Here is an authentic assessment task for Shakespeare's Macbeth. Young literature scholars prepare, perform, and record a news broadcast about the major events in the play. For example, groups may choose to report on the death of Lady...

Students explore the human body by participating in physical activities. In this physical education lesson, students demonstrate their physical prowess and motor skills by performing tasks such as climbing and rope tying. Students...

Students explore engineering by participating in a mechanical class activity. In this simple machines lesson, students identify many simple machines that allow them to perform tasks easily each day. Students collaborate in small groups...

Here is an inventive, and educationally rich way to conduct a literature study of the book, The Midwife's Apprentice. After the book has been read, learners get into three groups. One group is assigned the task of being the writers....

Fifth graders research and write a pen pal letter about the geography of a Canadian town. Students create a script for a phone call with their pen pal and perform it with a friend for the class.

Seventh graders explore persuasive writing using the city life and the country life as focus topics. In this persuasion lesson, 7th graders read "The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse" in an attempt to determine the pros and cons of both...

Different animals live in distinct and specialized environments. Learners will discuss organisms and environments, and then create some using their dramatic art skills. They all act like animals in a marine environment. When they are...

Students in a Spanish foreign language class are giving topics to develop a skit to preform in front of the class. As a class, they are introduced to new vocabulary and the concept of paraphrasing. After performing their skit, they...

Students explore psychology by participating in a student behavior activity. In this group dynamic lesson, students identify ways to keep several students interested and focused on one task. Students complete worksheets discussing family...

A fantastic lesson on urban air pollution problems throughout the world is here for you. Learners understand that there are many factors involved in creating pollution, that there are many health effects brought on by air pollution, and...

Students discover film making by participating in a music performance.  In this performance arts lesson plan, students perform music and physical acting to convey an already written script for their peers.  Students collaborate...

Pop music and marketing are thrown into the mix to make a fun and engaging lesson. Learners listen to several pop songs and discuss the differences in musical style. They then get into groups and work together to decide how they are...

A thought-provoking activity which will provide your 5th graders with a world view. Pupils discuss children's rights here in the US and around the world, and do some comparisons. They watch a video, embedded in the plan, that shows a...

Second graders discuss why classrooms have helpers to complete everyday tasks. In groups, they participate in a role-play activity in which they complete the assigned tasks. To end the lesson, they complete a worksheet in which they...

Students role play a press conference on Hurricane Georges by acting as interviewers from the press. They research the impact of the hurricane in order base their questions on pertinent information. They present the press conference for...

Students experience Hurricane Georges. In this Peace Corps lesson, students examine the devastation of Hurricane Georges by acting as a Dominican Republic citizen being interviewed by an international television network. Students...

Drama enthusiasts explore the importance of set and action in conveying dramatic tension. They act out a polished dramatic piece using the set as a key component of their story. This should be connected to setting as it is also used in...

Student teams role-play advertising agencies competing for a contract. Winning team completes all tasks, spending the least money. Tasks include naming agency, creating a slogan, inventing a product and advertisement.

Students read "Putting on Beowulf" then, in separate groups, choose a segment of Beowulf to perform. They prepare a performance either "live" or on videotape. After listening and watching each performance, Students evaluate each...

Students analyze Act 4, scene 1 from the play, Merchant of Venice. They hypothesize the content of an unscripted moment and response, look for evidence in the text to support their hypothesis, rewrite the scene, and perform it for the...

Third graders listen to several broadcasts from the WWII era. They research, write and perform simulated radio broadcasts concerning topics related to American society in World War II.

Second graders write "how to" sequences for tasks so that another person can follow the sequence to perform the action. They write a "show and teach" once a month for evaluation.

Fifth graders connect reasons for coming to the New World with identity. The create identities and place them in one of three settled regions. They refer to prior study notes in their Colonial Notebooks to establish their identities.