Students examine the impact of tsunamis. In this tsunami lesson, students read clues and use critical thinking skills to determine why the HMS Chatham was diverted from Dubai in 2004. Students also research tsunamis and create...

Learners examine articles to find out about the relationship between sanitation and disease.  In this personal hygiene and home economics activity, students diagram areas for personal hygiene in their homes, read articles about...

Provide a format for your historians to explore the Neolithic Revolution using this writing exercise. Three display questions prompt scholars to reflect on how the revolution was a turning point in human history, its impact on gender...

If you want to test your class' reading comprehension on the first half of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, this online interactive quiz may benefit you. Be aware that it requires no critical thinking or analysis.

While this online interactive quiz may give you some ideas for basic reading comprehension questions, it includes several mechanical errors and does not require any critical thinking.

This online, interactive quiz on Macbeth asks basic reading comprehension questions, but fails to require any critical thinking or analysis. For this reason, it may be useful for your class to self-assess their understanding, but has...

Students use discussion and writing to express their views about the causes, circumstances and impact of the shooting of a six year old girl by a classmate.

Students explore the concept of response writing. In this writing lesson, Oreo cookies are used as motivational tool and writing prompt. Students develop a summary of the events that took place when the Oreos were given out.

Persuade your writers that crafting arguments is not that difficult. They only need to follow the steps outlined in this resource.

Provide young readers with an opportunity to share their opinions about independent reading books with this book report form. Focusing on their favorite character, children complete a series of sentence frames requiring them to think...

Students examine the experience of Anne Frank during the Holocaust. Using the text, they discover how propaganda was used to impact the lives of young people in Germany. They answer discussion questions as a class and relate her...

This multimedia activity challenges media-savvy learners to look at the critical issue concerning the inundation of technology and multitasking in the classroom, and its effects on the education of themselves and others. The tasks...

Read and discuss "The Yellow Wall-Paper" and the gender issues that the story brings up. Use articles from the time period to analyze, complete with specific discussion questions. After two days, scholars write an essay based on topics...

With so many ways to follow the news today, it is imperative to think critically about the sources of information we are turning to. Here is a fantastic graphic organizer that will help your learners develop the skills to...

If the world were 100 people...17 would not have access to safe drinking water, 18 would not be able to read or write, and 52 would not have a primary education. Using the theme of "100 people," this resource explores other major issues...

Why do we have CliffsNotes? SparkNotes? Middle and high schoolers examine arguments for and against the recent influx of book notes, or study guides. They stage a debate in which they represent Advocates For or Critics Against the use of...

"Without concerned citizen action to uphold them (human rights) close to home; we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world. . ." Eleanor Roosevelt's comment is used to set the stage for the conclusion of a five-lesson unit...

Nothing aids in comprehension more than an explanation and understanding of why things are done. Address why the Common Core requires the reading percentages that it established and analyze how this affects your readers. Learners read...

What a great project. Graphic arts students consider the social, political, and economic impact made by a chosen invention. They build an argument to substantiate their reasons for choosing said invention. They create an oral...

Students research the historical inspiration for the lyrics of the "The Star Spangled Banner". They explore websites, read articles and analyze poetry in an examination of America's patriotic symbols and history.

Determine the author's point of view in a text. Young readers read Dr. Seuss' The Sneeches and identify the author's purpose in the story. They identify persuasive techniques in writing, asking and answering questions to better...

High schoolers research the passage of the 19th Amendment as an illustration of the mutual influence between political ideas and cultural attitudes. They also read the Seneca Falls Declaration and explore the cultural shifts it both...

What would Edward R. Murrow think of today’s news broadcasts? Learners examine the work of the first public television newscaster and his commitment to researched, accurate reporting. The eight-day study concludes with investigators...

Where do anti-immigrants myths come from, and how can they be refuted? Learners critically analyze media reports and how to identify reliable sources. After studying a timeline that details the history of US nativism, groups research the...