First drafted in the year 996, The Pillow Book contains reflections of those met by a lady-in-waiting in the Japanese court. A brief summary, historical context, and discussion questions are provided on the first two pages. Then, two...

Show your class how to read a map and decipher all of the markings and features. Start out by connecting maps to their homework from the night before and their current reading, in this case That Book Woman, and a related informational...

Young scholars examine the attributes of productive conversations. In this fishbowl discussion lesson, students observe a modeled discussion of a literature circle. Young scholars watch a discussion of "The Bear That Wasn't" and note how...

Learners analyze the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. In this U.S. government lesson, students examine books, movies, and music that influence them today and then investigate writings that influenced the framers of the...

Students explore the social policies of early America. In this etiquette lesson, students read George Washington's "110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation." Students identify expectations for their own...

A two-part lesson features Civil Rights hero, Ruby Bridges. Part one focuses on the heroic actions of Ruby Bridges then challenges scholars to complete a Venn diagram in order to compare themselves to her. Part two begins with a...

Newspaper in Education (NIE) Week honors the contributions of the newspaper and is celebrated in the resource within a civics, mathematics, and fine arts setting. The resource represents every grade from 3rd to 12th with questions...

Here's an awesome unit that uses The Cay as the anchor text. The 16-page packet is loaded with teaching ideas, activities, and suggested adjustments.

Learn more about the Civil War. Young scholars will choose a novel based on the Civil War to learn more about the viewpoints of that time period. They will then discuss the roles of the members of a Literature Circle and then participate...

After a grand conversation about immigration to the United States, scholars interview a family member to learn about their journey to America. They then take their new-found knowledge and apply their findings to tracking their family...

Sixth graders read the chapters in their social studies books and answer questions about Egyptian Dynasties. In this Egyptian Dynasties lesson plan, 6th graders research in their book, and then work in groups to answer the questions.

Eighth graders utilize many sources (books, computer, magazines, etc...) to research the eras of the Emancipation Proclamation and Civil Rights Movement and create a T-Chart comparison.

Have your class engage in critical-thinking activities using this resource. Learners discuss a variety of topics they think get too much, or too little, attention from the press. They analyze why these topics are over or underrated....

Students use Valentine's Day to use figurative language in English. This is a great lesson for ESL students (who may not have much experience with this holiday), to engage in social conversation with their peers.

Second graders explore the deserts around the world. They use a map and locate America on the map. Students discuss and identify the characteristics of deserts and differentiate the meanings of the word desert and dessert. Students...

Students research a country leader.

Pupils act out a section of the book Gentle Annie that is depicted in Chapter 4. They discuss the character position taken by each of the characters in the scene. They write a persuasive letter to one of the characters.

Third graders examine a variety of Robert Harris' paintings. Using the characters in the art, they develop a conversation between them in a musical verse. In groups, they identify safety procedures to be used by those traveling in the...

Students locate and trace Florida on a United States map as well as their local counties and city of residence on a state map. In addition, they label all the directions north, south, east and west on each map.

Take a look at the topic of violence as seen in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. Discuss together the values that Atticus holds and brainstorm ways to combat violence in a similar manner to what he portrays in the novel. Get your...

Twelfth graders examine the writings of President Obama. In this Current Events lesson, 12th graders read and analyze two articles by President Obama. Students discuss their reactions to these articles.

Fourth graders explore the childhood of Lincoln and pioneer life in early Indiana. Students respond to literature and write a story using historical fiction. Students explore the writings of President Lincoln and the pioneer community...

Students recognize the needs, disabilities and attitudes of seniors. In this sensitivity awareness lesson, students work with residents of a senior citizen residence and build a relationship with a senior. Students simulate the...

Students understand the purpose of the judicial branch of government. In this judiciary instructional activity, students participate in exercises to understand how the court system works. Students complete activity sheets to develop...