As part of the study of segregation in U.S. schools, scholars research and create a timeline of events that led to the historic Supreme Court case, Brown V. Board of Education. Groups research a topic or event that led to the decision,...

Kate Chopin's short story, "The Story of an Hour" and John H. Young's "Our Deportment, or the Manners, Conduct, and Dress of Refined Society" offer high school juniors an opportunity to compare the role of women in the 19th century with...

Need a hero? Super! Groups create their modern-day marvel and craft a narrative with all the elements required in such a tale.

Seventh graders have a golden opportunity to learn how to read poems and short stories with a unit that introduces them to the techniques writers use to craft their works. They examine poems by William Carlos Williams and Edgar Allen Poe...

And the plot thickens! The third interactive in this series introduces young scholars to the cause-and-effect nature of a fictional story plot. They learn about the characteristics of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action,...

The intricate craft of narrative writing can make a happy story feel exuberant or a sad story feel devastating. With 42 extensive lessons that include poignant discussion questions, standards-aligned self-reflections, engaging writing...

Even the most rigid expectations come from a place of deeply held values. In a key chapter of Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club, explore the ways that Jing-Mei's mother's parental expectations affect her relationship with Jing-Mei. Tenth...

Part one of a mid-unit assessment relating to The Omnivore’s Dilemma includes listening to and analyzing a speech by Birke Baehr. Part two involves analyzing an excerpt from the text. The assessment ends with short response questions.

What is your interpretation? Scholars look at their Cascading Consequences Charts and interpret the information they have gathered. Learners match claims with evidence and then watch a video. At the end, they carry out a fishbowl...

Students examine American speeches. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students explore the emotional context of historical periods as they analyze "The Gettysburg Address" and "I Will Fight No More Forever" speeches.

Students create their own classroom constitution. In this leadership skills lesson plan, students work together to solve problems. Students discuss why rules are important and brainstorm ways to solve classroom problems. Students vote on...

Learners study communication, feelings, and calming down. In this sociology lesson, students play a game about feelings and discuss how to use I-messages to calm anger.

Fourth graders create a coded message in a quilt. In this art lesson students demonstrate the communication used by the Underground Railroad. Students work in a group to make a quilt with a code in it.

Students read the book Jake Drake, Bully Buster by Andrew Clements. In this conflict and feelings lesson, students identify the conflict in the story and how it makes the character feel. Students discuss bullying and respond to...

Add another characteristic to your class characteristics of fairy tales chart. First they discuss the concept of problems or conflicts found in most fairy tale plots then they practice identifying conflict as they read. They read...

Students read Katherine Paterson's book, A Bridge to Terabithia, and select small groups to complete a project based on a chapter of the book. They create a story web for the chapter, summarize it, design a brochure or advertisement,...

Fifth graders complete a variety of activities and exercises as they study the life, policies, and lasting influence of Abraham Lincoln.

Students watch the Time-Out Shrot, "Martin's Dad's Story" They work in groups to plan a Jerry Springer type of talk show. Students prepare a summary that can be read at the end of their "show" including a summary of what ha happened, the...

Students identify needs and feelings. In this character education lesson, students read two passages about being shy and scared. Students create an ending to the story on their own.

Students discuss what satyagraha is understanding that it is the driving force which enables social reform. In this social science instructional activity, students try to internalize the principles of nonviolence on an individual level...

Students research the roles of the reserve armed forces in a variety of United States military conflicts, then create a documentary that illustrates the contributions of part-time soldiers.

Young scholars discuss the current crisis in Kosovo, Yugoslavia and express their views on whether the U.S. should get involved in this foreign conflict. They write a journal entry about whether

Students will identify the structure of the Dakota Nation including the Seven Council Fires, explore the relationship between the Corps of Discovery and the Lakota and examine the conflict between the two parties from varied points of view.

Students explain that taxation involves a compromise of conflicting goals and that lobbyists can influence lawmakers' decisions about taxes. They can explain why people of similar incomes often pay different tax rates and work in teams...