Elementary learners identify the main elements of story structure and form questions to summarize their reading. They listen as the teacher reads a story and then write questions to determine (1) main characters, (2) setting, (3)...

How do novels differ from plays? Explore with your class the text features of fiction and drama by reading The Hidden One: Native American Legend and then performing a reader’s theater script based on the story. Class members create a...

Practice basic map skills with the story of The Tortoise and the Hare. After listening to the story, class members create a map that indicates the starting line, the path the animals took, where they stopped to rest, and the finish line....

Second graders identify story elements in familiar stories from their lives. In this story elements lesson, 2nd graders act out familiar activities  by following directions. Students read a story and discuss the story elements....

Students read a story to create the context for the lesson. Then they are given or create a community map. Then students use the scenario of being lost in order to role play giving directions to a partner to find a destination. The...

Students read stories of young human rights advocates and discuss examples where young people made a difference. They consider local problems, relate them to human rights principles and role-play possible solutions.

Second graders investigate the life of Booker T. Washington by reading a biography.  In this biographical lesson, 2nd graders read the story More Than Anything Else, and examine the geographical locations Washington once resided...

Young scholars read The Call of the Wild, noting its theme of survival. They investigate the book's concepts with word webs, spider maps, or graphic organizers. They conduct a panel discussion on dogs and wolves. They write a letter to...

Fifth graders discover the history of their hometown Des Moines River.  In this U.S. Geography lesson students speak with Iowans that tell stories of the settlers and early villages near the Des Moines River.  Students document...

Students explore the Wessels Living History Farm website and research how to do a square dance. They read a story, listen to an explanation of barn dances, and participate in various square dances.

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.

Fourth graders examine the Metis culture.  In this Metis living lesson, 4th graders read Things I did Last Summer by Martin Shulman and discuss the life of the main character, Bonnie.  Students recreate their favorite scenes of...

Third graders read the story "The Woman Who Outshone the Sun" from the Scott Foresman reading series. They create puppets and a setting out of a shoebox and retell the story with props. They research the Oaxaca region and the Zapotecs.

Learners act as tour guides for their communities after conducting research about their neighborhoods. After conducting research, students write stories and create maps of their communities to share with classmates and community members.

Second graders explore world geography by reading two different fairy tales. In this cultural storytelling lesson, 2nd graders read Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and the Moroccan story The Girl Who Lived with the Gazelles. Students...

First graders write and illustrate a story for a subtraction problem subtracting from the number ten. Students explore subtraction situations by using counters to represent a familiar number- based literature selection. Students role...

Learners write a journal exercise that relates to preparing for a trip. They make a visual map to generate ideas about things to see, do and learn during the field trip. They assign roles for different tasks that need to be performed...

Students compare the differences in insects and spiders and design a worksheet that teaches the differences. Students record on chart organizing the information about the pet, its food, habitat, exercise, and other ways to care for...

Young scholars investigate different cultures' versions of the Cinderella tale in comparison to the Rossini opera synopsis. They experience dramatizing a Cinderella tale and study about the group and individual process required for...

Students explore area around schoolyard by participating in scavenger hunt, examine things that live there, such as noxious weeds, develop observation skills by using five senses, and find and identify ten to fifteen local, natural objects.

Third graders research world geography by creating a class presentation. For this South American lesson, 3rd graders read assigned text regarding the customs and traditions of different Indian communities in South America. Students...

Students imagine themselves staying for the weekend in a summer cabin near Mount St. Helens (or other volcanic site,) and having to quickly evacuate the area.

Third graders learn the song "Blow the Man Down" and know that it is a work song. They differentiate between loud and soft singing. They use body movements to reinforce the recognition of music in 3/4 time.

Students experience world adventures through the internet. For this technology lesson, students use a suggested internet site and explore each expedition. Students can virtually travel such lands as China.