Fifth graders discuss the causes of the Civil War and write a paragraph summarizing each identified event. In the computer lab, 5th graders create a PowerPoint presentation explaining events leading up to the Civil War. They use the...

Seventh graders brainstorm a list of criteria that makes a webpage useful for research and not useful for research. They complete the activity, "Real or Hoax," and discuss fiction and non fiction stories and determine which websites are...

Seventh graders explore the structure, function, and diseases of the respiratory system. They research basic information about the respiratory system and create a concept map to illustrate it. Students research a disease and create a...

High schoolers explore issues surrounding language norms, including the distinction between prescriptive and descriptive norms, the differences between norms for spoken English and those for written English, how word meanings change, and...

Students use Nursery rhymes in a discussion of crimes and criminals in order to study how criminal law has developed and changed to maintain an organized society. They decide on the identity of criminals, the crime, and the name of the...

Students think critically about their perceptions of terrorism and examine the motivations, goals and actions of countries against whose "state-sponsored terrorism" the United States State Department has issued sanctions.

Students discuss their goals and the steps needed to achieve their goals. They list the internal and external forces that may help or hinder their goals. Students prioritize the forces that hinder and/or help them to achieve their goals.

Students work in small groups with a small set of 8 nuts and 5 bolts to assemble into combinations of 1 nut: 1 bolt, and 2 nuts: 1 bolt. They explore the outcome and discuss. Then a student mixes two clear, colorless solutions together...

Young scholars assess and apply recurring patterns in natural systems. They evaluate the wave properties of frequency, wavelength, and speed as applied to sound. Students develop a relationship to quantify aspects of wave motion. They...

Learners write persuasive letters based on "The Tell Tale Heart." They brainstorm topic sentences, main ideas, and details. They analyze the character and determine if he is innocent or guilty. They create a map listing their reasons to...

Sixth graders listen to the story BEING A BAD SPORT as teacher reads to the class. They identify good and bad sportsmanship by reading and writing activities. They then go to the gym and simulate a game situation recording examples of...

Learners conduct experiments in gravity by rolling objects down an incline and determining which ones roll slower than others. As part of the experiment, they design objects which will roll the slowest. Using digital movie cameras or...

Students listen to background information about the origin of the Olympics and then discuss how they think the Olympic Games got its name. They then complete the activity sheets using drawing materials.

Students reflect upon the the experiences of superficial comments based upon physical appearance. The expectations of others is discussed in class. Also the influences of media is stressed and its expectations are demonstrated as either...

First graders study that day and night result from shadows produced by Earth's rotation. Students work to show how shadows are produced, look for and identify shadows and observe shadows produced from different sources.

Students explore the conflicts between the economy and the environment by focusing on forest management in Maine. They read pamphlets on siliviculture and clear-cutting as well as those by environmental groups then conduct a debate on...

Learners examine Margaret Chase Smith's Declaration of Conscience and discuss its impact on Maine politics. After reading it, they discuss their opinions and write short responses about them. As a follow-up activity, students write their...

Students practice recognizing the value of digraphs to reading and becoming fluent readers. This lesson covers dge=/j/ by familiarizing themselves with the digraph, pronouncing it and reading words that use the digraphs. They lesson to a...

Students read and analyze two functional documents. They predict outcomes using prior knowledge and documents. Students draw conclusions about how court cases are appealed. They list the parts of a court case.

Students explore the concept of photosynthesis. They describe the light and light independent reactions of photosynthesis. Students relate physical plant characteristics to their functions. They distinguish between C3, C4, and CAM plants...

Students read and discuss The Cay or Timothy of the Cay with other students. They complete Literature Circles role sheets. Students map the journeys of Timothy and Phillip. They put the events of the stories on a time line.

Learners conduct research into the lives of pirates and create a personal skit based upon the research as inspiration. The use of imagination is a key component to the type of writing to be done during the class.

Students demonstrate a comprehension and a tasteful appreciation of the creative and performing arts. They seek, experiments, and shares reactions of different forms of art. Students analyze and reflect on others' work. They recognize...

Students work together to help prepare for a mock trial presentation. As a class, they identify and discuss each part of a trial and participate in a mini-demonstration to help visualize the steps. After completion, they write a...