Japan Society
Our Family and Other Families: Using Totoro to Teach Family Structure
What do families around the world have in common? Explore this theme through the popular animated film My Neighbor Totoro by Hayao Miyazaki. Over the course of two days, pupils view the film, pausing to discuss their own families and the...
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Michelle Kwan: Heart of a Champion
Who is a champion to your class? Elementary and middle schoolers think of a role-model from their lives. Then, in their journals, they write evidence of that person's perseverance. They identify the character trait of perseverance with...
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Turkey: Traditions And Today
Students research and analyze nation building, identifying countries established for various reasons. They study the history of the land now called Turkey and Ataturk, Father of the Turks. They identify the different ethnic groups that...
Film Foundation
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: What Is a Movie?
Watching is not the same as seeing. Transform viewers from passive watchers to active students of film with this 34-page packet, filled with lessons and activities that use Mr. Smith Goes to Washington to examine the technology, the...
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Cinquain Lesson Plan
Pupils read an example of a cinquain and look for patterns. In this cinquain lesson, students repeat the process with another poem and then compare the two. Pupils will review the process and form of writing a cinquain as presented by...
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Lesson Refresh: Plan with the END in Mind
Fourth graders identify literary techniques by participating in a class discussion. In this organization lesson, 4th graders practice public speaking while presenting ideas for a story to their classmates as well as critiquing the ideas...
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Presenting Your Case
Pupils research a famous person of their choice in this lesson. They research the person's life, feelings, and character through a series of written activities. They compile their research into a creative project called a character's...
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Interview a Professional: Marine Mammal Rescue
Learners choose a career featured on the school to career website. They research the career and email an expert in the field of their choice. They answer a series of questions and write a written report on their findings and present...
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Personal History
Fourth graders gain an appreciation of knowledge about recent history by interviewing senior citizens. They summarize their interviews and organize them into a written presentation.
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The Teller of the Tale, Part 3
Students practice use of volume, stress, pacing, enunciation, eye contact, and gestures needed to meet the needs of the audience when presenting their own tales based on Chaucer. They receive teacher and student feedback and prepare to...
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Immigration Unit
Third graders develop an appreciate for the various cultures that are present in their local community. Through reading and research, they explain how various culture came to live in their area. At the conclusion of the unit, 3rd...
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My Country 'Tis of Thee with American Symbols
Students study the various patriotic symbols which represent America. They choose one, research its history, and write a report about it. They make a drawing of the symbol and use the drawing in a PowerPoint presentation for the rest of...
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Envisioning Equality
Middle schoolers research the contributions of Civil Rights leaders. In this human justice lesson, students research selected websites about the accomplishments of leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement. Middle...
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A Historical Career Search
Learners analyze the use of language, including non-standard written and oral English. They write persuasive, descriptive, narrative and/or evaluative pieces in response to the story read and keep reflection journals. Finally, students...
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Understanding Agriculture as a Political Tool
Students investigate how agriculture can be used as a political tool. They watch a PowerPoint presentation and take notes, identify reasons for protecting agriculture, write an essay about a current political issue in international...
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Immigration for Grades 6-8
Learners explore immigration. In this immigration instructional activity, students research the topic and compare immigration of the past to the present. They create a decade long timeline of immigration.
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Oxidation and Salt
Students study the reaction on iron in water, air, and sodium chloride. They create a situation that shows this process and gives them the opportunity to hypothesize what, why, and how. They keep records and do an oral and written ...
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Le Tour de France
Students explore French geography, history and culture. They imagine that they are a tour company that is trying to promote the trip to prospective customers. In addition, they make travel arrangements in French, practice computer...
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Poet Naomi Shihab Nye
Students read and analyze poetry by Naomi Shihab Nye. They define stereotypes, view and discuss a video interview with Nye, present an oral reading of a poem, and write a persuasive letter to an author.
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Language Arts: Creating Multimedia Reports
Ninth graders create multimedia presentations about their backgrounds and family heritage. They discover how to use the necessary computer skills and practice them in pairs. Students present their projects to the class and have a general...
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Elements 'R' Us
Sixth graders participate in a Web Quest in order to examine the periodic table of elements. After collecting information about an element of their choice, they share with group members what they have learned. Groups create class...
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Develop An Individual Career Plan
High schoolers research, investigate and develop an individual career plan. They analyze all their career options and goals. Each student fine tunes their interviewing and written skills as they prepare to seek certain jobs out in the...
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We Are Lunar tics!
Second graders, working in cooperative groups, will create a multimedia presentation about the Earth's moon. Their research must be presented through three or more methods. (i.e. charts; graphs; oral reports; multi-media; dramatic role...
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Analyze This
Students gain practice in the analysis of various types of graphs common in daily life. These examples often use graphic images like charts, graphs, tables, and pictures to supplement learning.