After watching the documentary Dark Water about a traditional Chumash ceremony and reading a Chumash origin story, viewers are asked to create a coat of arms and to craft an essay that details a family tradition or their own origin story.

Skin color is controlled by at least six genes. Young scientists learn about skin colors through a documentary. They discuss the topics of pigment, natural selection, and vitamin D absorption. They apply their knowledge to higher order...

Introduce learners to the debate format with an activity that uses the National Park Service's controversial Channel Islands restoration program as a topic. Class members learn how to generate provocative debate questions, how to prepare...

Finally, a photosynthesis activity that outshines the rest! Young biologists perform an experiment that allows them to observe photosynthesis through the production of oxygen. The lesson plan, part of the K20 series, also includes a...

Would you live in a tree for three years to protect a redwood forest? Viewers of Rainhouse Cinema's Among Giants documentary consider the actions of Earth First! environmental activists who moved into the treetops of a grove of giant...

Many know the beauty of a pillared hall, but what makes those from ancient Egypt so breathtaking? An eye-catching resource takes viewers on a journey through the Ty Mastaba to discover the importance of pillars to architecture. They see...

Students view artworks that make a statement about social conditions. They discuss the artworks, write about them and present their ideas to the class. They create socially conscious art pieces of their own.

Students examine the journey of the Ballou Marching Band. In this America's Promise instructional activity, students read about Colin Powell and examine the history of America's Promise. Students explore the Five Points of the program...

Government classes benefit from examining how a bill passes through Congress, while they focus on the compromises made by Obama's administration regarding health care reform. This includes an online video and a couple of handouts. The...

Students investigate the history of Las Vegas through conducting interviews.  In this oral history lesson, students locate and speak with older residents of Las Vegas in order to gain a better understanding of the city....

Do modern citizens interpret the Fourteenth Amendment the way it was intended? Scholars study the Slaughterhouse Cases to see how judges interpreted the amendment in the 1800s. Following the reading on the subject, they answer...

It's an extravaganza of excrement! Do your pupils understand that waste doesn't really go to waste? Introduce the nitrogen cycle with an interesting instructional activity and lab from the K20 series. The activities include a look at...

Learners brainstorm what they believe makes a good reality TV show. Students compile a set of attributes that they feel distinguishes the best of the reality TV shows from the others. Using the attributes that the class agrees determine...

Astronauts train underwater to simulate the change in gravity. An out-of-this-world unit includes three hands-on activities, one teacher demonstration, and a discussion related to some of the challenges astronauts face. Scholars apply...

Explore nutrition and healthy eating habits with a study on youth obesity. Learners watch a PBS documentary on the obesity epidemic which discusses government programs aimed at healthier choices, as well as more localized efforts. Kids...

Ann Shin's award-winning documentary, My Enemy, My Brother introduces viewers to Zahed Haftlang and Najah Aboud, two child soldiers on opposite sides during the Iran-Iraq war. After viewing the film, class members are asked to...

Students explore the consequences of their actions. For this personal choices lesson, students practice balancing different interests involved in compromise. This lesson includes downloadable materials and 2 extension activities.

Students conduct Internet research on China's economic development and use a worksheet to organize their findings. They participate in class discussion and compare and contrast the economies of the U.S. and China.

Eighth graders review a chosen social studies topic that was covered during the school year. They research the topic using a variety of sources. Students create a documentary about their topic and they create a PowerPoint presentation...

Students produce a skit to appear on their morning announcement that is in lined with their franchise topic. For this producing lesson plan, students produce a 2 minute skit including originating, scripting, editing, directing, and...

Students evaluate maps using the TODALSIGs basic map analysis system, explained on the worksheet. They create a map of Alaska using TODALSIGs. Students brainstorm the elements of maps.

Students view a video clip about ideas displayed through images. They work together to analyze paintings and complete activities. They discuss how media representation of an issue can affect one's viewpoint.

Students explore the contributions of philanthropists. In this philanthropy lesson, students watch "The Gift of All: A Community of Givers." Students then read biographies of philanthropists and create PowerPoint presentations about the...

Upper graders listen to and watch a documentary about an all female group Antigone Rising. They discuss how females are portrayed in the rock world, the type of music they play, their song lyrics, and what they note in the documentary....