Conflicts happen, conflicts grow, it's how to handle them that middle schoolers need to know. Introduce tweens to a problem-solving approach for handling anger with a series of activities that has class members read articles, research...

A lesson puts a spotlight on becoming a good friend. After pointing out TV friendships, scholars listen to several scenarios and discuss whether the characters exhibit good or bad friendly behaviors. Learners reflect on the...

With puberty comes lots of changes to one's body. Scholars explore those changes with two lessons that examine the role of the pituitary gland and hormones. In the first lesson, pupils take on the role of the pituitary gland, write a...

High schoolers read and analyze Shakespeare's play, 'Macbeth.' They analyze how Shakespeare uses metaphors, imagery and dramatic cues to demonstrate Macbeth's response to fear, and perform without words a scene dramatizing Macbeth's...

Conflicts happen. Learning to deal with them positively, manage anger, and communicate feelings is the focus of a lesson that gives high schoolers the tools they need for conflict resolution. After reading a series of related articles,...

Some conversations are easy and enjoyable, while others are horrific! To begin a lesson on communicating constructively, class members list examples of conversations that are easy, average, and those that are difficult and identify what...

The big idea in this resource is that listening and hearing are not the same things. A lesson plan on active listening has class members generate a list of listening techniques that focus on the speaker, confirm what they say, and...

The tragic story of Derek Boogard, a hockey star whose sports-related brain injuries eventually lead to his death, is told through a series of videos. There are also articles that can be read. This poignant lesson gets participants to...

Students learn how to express their feelings. For this language development lesson, one student reads a sentence off a sentence strip and another student responds with "I feel...". The class discusses why the student feels that way and...

Learners practice pantomime movements. In this body awareness instructional activity, students discover how to convey emotions through physical movements. Learners practice conveying happiness and sadness through...

Ease children's back-to-school jitters with this primary grade instructional activity based on the book The Kissing Hand by Ruth E. Harper. Starting off with a singing of the song "I Wish I Had a Little Red Box", children go on...

How do good writers exhibit emotion in their work without using an emotion word (angry, sad, happy, etc.)? This plan offers learners model texts that describe an emotion without using an emotion word. A well-formatted writing activity is...

The class fills in a handout - How Appearances Change During Puberty.  They then discuss the changes that both boys and girls go through and make some comparisons of the differences between boys and girls . Hopefully this class is a...

Examine the growth and development that takes place during the pre-teen and teen years. Middle schoolers discuss puberty and then research specific changes that occur during puberty. The class performs skits based on the changes they...

Two activities focus on stress—its triggers and tools to manage it. The first activity asks pupils to identify personal stress triggers then practice stress management techniques. The second activity gets scholars up and moving with yoga...

Students consider feelings. For this positivity lesson, students realize how they can create a peaceful environment with their words and actions. They discuss feelings and personal experiences as a class and expand out to the rest of...

A game of Cooperation Tag and a Rock, Paper, Scissors Champion Challenge plays to the positive impact of good sporting behavior on one's social-emotional development. Scholars participate in these games with their peers then thoroughly...

Students investigate conflict resolution strategies. In this character education instructional activity, students list things that make them feel sad and are introduced to the conflict resolution strategy "think and share." Students...

Upper elementary artists create works which demonstrate an understanding of the many elements of theater and the visual arts. This four-day plan combines many wonderful aspects of visual, musical, and theatrical arts into one very...

Middle schoolers are likely very familiar with the concept of bullying and cliques. Discuss their experiences and brainstorm ways to handle peer conflict and feelings of exclusion with a poem that focuses on bullying, and a second lesson...

Young scholars discover psychology by participating in a relationship activity. In this honesty lesson, students read text which discusses the importance of being upfront with your feelings. Young scholars complete teenage communication...

Read an excerpt from Sonia Mycak's short story A Dual Existence in a Seemingly Singular Country and consider the emotional and social implications of not being able to speak English in Australia. This would be a great lesson plan for EFL...

Learners participate in role-play activities to explain that emotional and social effects of prejudice discussed in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird.

Students identify their feelings and learn ways to handle conflict. In this human emotions and conflict lesson, students discuss feelings and ways to handle conflict. Students listen to a story about conflict and determine possible ways...