Balance scales create a strong visual of how an individual prioritizes one's self alongside their commitments to the community, school, and home. Scholars complete a graphic organizer then discuss their findings with their peers. A...

Young scholars explore the term philanthropy and recognize it in everyday situations. They list three philanthropic activities occurring in their own home, in their classroom, or in their school. Students identify at least one act they...

Four lessons, each following the same routine, explore the careers of a teacher, nurse, electrician, geologist, plumber, and police officer. After listening to a read-aloud and thoughtful discussion, young scholars construct puppets...

Every healthy classroom community is built on a foundation of respect. Through whole group discussions, shared readings, and collaborative activities this lesson teaches children how to be respectful of one another, making for a much...

Second graders, after spending several weeks developing skills necessary to become a "Community Development Team," create and build their vision of a community. Consideration is given for needs and wants, food, shelter, safety concerns,...

Students recognize that gifts can be for a community and not just for an individual. They acknowledge that helping to beautify our school community is a positive step in becoming a contributing citizen.

Students identify how their school has changed. In this local community lesson, students listen to a brief history of their town and school and interview someone that graduated from their school. Students then create a map of their...

Students design recreational equipment for a community. In this architecture lesson, students work in pairs to design the equipment. Students select materials and begin designing. Students assess themselves with a pre-made rubric.

Work out your core, Common Core State Standards, through the first workshop in a series of 15 designed for educators. Inquiry-based activities designed for all content areas and grade levels explore the shifts to new standards,...

Young scholars gain an understanding of the U.S. Census. In this social studies civics lesson plan, students explore understand the link between the census and the availability of community services.

Students read about the history of the one room school house and complete language arts activities to go with it. Students answer comprehension questions, role play, group discuss, and more.

Discuss homophobia and bullying with a collaborative and supportive lesson. Class members engage in a series of activities focused on the ways bullies use physical, verbal, mental and emotional, sexual, and cyber tactics to spread...

Thirty-eight pages of information prepares you to assign middle or high schoolers a project on sustainable energy. They take a pretest, review the scientific method, conduct background research, and finally choose an experiment to carry...

Students, after reading the book, The Fire Station Book, discuss how a firefighter helps people in a community. They also participate in songs and games about firefighting.

Students take a examine Community Helpers and the jobs they perform in order to help students explain the responsibilities the job entails. They recognize the community helpers, describe the jobs each performs and how technology is used.

Eighth graders explore the community of enslaved African Americans.  In this American History lesson, 8th graders evaluate the importance of cultural expression in the black community.  Students study the contributions made by...

Learners study tree identification. In this tree identification lesson, students design and assemble a tree tour booklet describing 5 trees found in their community. The booklet should feature common and Latin names of the species, a...

Second graders recognize the importance of having community leaders.  In this community leaders lesson, 2nd graders find local leader names and local leader news items. Students answer questions and create a graphic organizer...

Students complete guided reading activities for the book, Saturday At The New You I by Barbara e. Barber. They read about a young girl who visits her mother's beauty salon on Saturdays. They answer pre-reading questions and decide...

Are you thinking about taking your class to the local zoo? Kids of all ages love visiting exotic animals in order to learn about biodiversity, habitat, and animal adaptations. Here is a 44-page activity guide that provides educators with...

Begin with an online pre-quiz about West Nile Virus. Using a fictional scenario, young epidemiologists read how it is transmitted and examine the stages of the life cycle of a mosquito. They imagine that they are members of the Centers...

While cities had only a small fraction of the population in colonial America, they played a significant role in pre-revolutionary years, and this was certainly true for the largest city in the North American colonies: Philadelphia. Your...

Is one type of energy inherently good or bad? Young scientists explore energy resources in a week-long unit. After extensive research, groups create powerful position statements and presentations supporting their energy resource of choice.

Students create their house to add to a class "neighborhood". In this instructional activity on family and community, students read the book Family by Todd Parr and discuss how all families and houses are different. Then, students create...