Middle schoolers examine the importance of responsibility. In this character education lesson, students participate in a group discussion to explore and define responsibility.

To help learners better comprehend informational texts, they work through a series of activities. They discuss strategies, make predictions, skim passages, focus on key words, and practice taking notes. This lesson focuses on what to do...

It's never too early to build research skills! Students locate information relevant to a subject they are doing a research project on. They take notes and sort the information under main topic headings. Through research, they gain an...

Struggling on what steps to take in your expository essay lesson? Or confused on what to include for your scribes? This exercise in the process of expository writing provides concepts and structure for the educator on what the writers...

Focus on research skills, specifically identifying key words and concepts on a specific topic and evaluating information for relevance and authority. This is part of a multi-step activity on Ancient Rome; however, it is useful for any...

Assessment, and for some the accompanying test stress, is a part of classroom life. Show your class members how to prepare for exams and steps they can take to reduce anxiety. Although the referenced PowerPoint is not included in the...

Written as an accompaniment to a field trip to the Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Arizona, this is an interdisciplinary, themed lesson on lions. Even if you cannot take your upper-elementary kids to this attraction, there are a few...

Sixth graders explore notetaking procedures. In this study skills lesson, 6th graders use text organizers to categorize information.  Students select textbook sections and write headings, subheadings, and summary phrases for each...

Students read the article, American Robins: Territory Study, discussing the vocabulary, underlining key words, and taking notes. They write journal entries, and develop various writer's workshop assignments.

Students complete the associated worksheets as they investigate ways to recycle and reuse common objects. They share ideas on reusing objects while practicing listening, speaking and note-taking skills.

Students define several laws of pressure and see how they relate to scuba diving.  In this ocean explorer lesson plan students answer questions and complete an activity. 

Ask your students to explain how to successfully find information on the Internet, focusing on how to select the keywords that lead to the best information on a topic and by navigating and evaluating a number of Internet search engines....

Students investigate the origins of the Jelly Bean. They complete a Scavenger Hunt using the jellybean website. Pupils create a bar graph using information collected about jelly beans. Students discuss the time of year that Jelly Beans...

Students, in groups, research the bio deterioration of the Titanic. They write a report focusing on the rusting of the Titanic and estimate the amount of time it will take for the Titanic's bow section to completely dissolve.

For this song lessons worksheet, students listen to the song by Bob Dylan, "Blowin' in the Wind." They search for key phrases that use the words, "How many," and list each one with the noun that follows the phrase. Students listen to the...

Students calculate bowling scores by using math skills. In this bowling lesson, students take a trip to a bowling alley and use a worksheet to figure out bowling scores. Students use prior math skills such as addition to calculate their...

Students participate in an experiment to understand how robotic systems can estimate distances.  In this robotic ranger lesson, students measure the the time it takes for and object to move back and forth.  Students will use a...

Designed for teachers, this 12-page packet uses passages from Guy de Maupassant's "The Necklace" to model how to design activities that encourage close reading of complex text.

How do you create a map of the ocean floor without getting wet? Middle school oceanographers discover the process of bathymetric mapping in the third installment in a five-part series of lessons designed for seventh and eighth graders....

Gain a little interest in functions with a real-life task. Young scholars analyze home loan data with a geometric sequence and series. They use the models to make predictions about the total loan payments at certain intervals in a...

Students examine photographs of memorials for veterans. They identify who is being honored and why. They research one hero they find interesting and create a memorial for them. They share their hero with the class.

Students explore strategies of identifying answers when given a multiple choice reading comprehension exam. Through a lecture and demonstration, students practice active reading by reading carefully, writing notes, and rereading. They...

Students study sports injuries in relation to famous athletes and everyday people. They brainstorm common sports injuries and those of famous athletes. In groups, they evaluate information related to sports injuries and take notes to...

Students view examples of portraits noting how the colors used make them feel. Using the same portrait, they redo them using different colors and then compare and contrast the first painting and second one in regards to how it makes...