Students are introduced to the novel "Al Capone Does My Shirts". Using primary source documents, they identify the unique geographical differences between where they live and the setting in the novel. They complete a Venn diagram...

Fifth graders explore leaders of the Civil War. In this history instructional activity, 5th graders use picture puzzles, vocabulary, worksheets, WebQuest, a Venn Diagram and role play activities in order to learn who the Civil War...

Students investigate the meaning of friendship and how to make friends. In this friendship instructional activity, students make Venn Diagrams showing the similarities and differences of characters in two stories. They discuss their own...

Sixth graders discover what a swaraj is. In this world history lesson, 6th graders create a Venn Diagram comparing Gandhi's swaraj to American's democracy.

Students study responsible stewardship and natural resources. In this natural resources lesson, students share their motto's about the environment with the class. Students then discuss the regulations in 'Rules and Regulations for...

With the songs "My Hometown" by Bruce Springsteen and "Allentown" by Billy Joel, learners examine external versus internal conflict. When they have finished the first part of the lesson, they create their own poem (or song) about the...

High schoolers explore the bullying experienced by those who graduated from one-room school houses to large high schools. In this discrimination instructional activity, students read the 2 provided handouts on the topic and then complete...

How can understanding the genre of historical fiction help your language arts class with literary analysis? Use this lesson to help young readers learn about historical fiction. After reading a selection from the "Dear America" or "My...

Create an artifact kit to engage your young learners. Then, assign small groups a section of chapter three. They will identify the main idea and three supporting details for their section. Then, they select one artifact from the kit that...

Who is the Donner Party? Find out why this group of pioneers lives in infamy. A lot of information is provided in this resource, but you will have to copy and paste the text to acquire the handouts. Learners will look at primary sources,...

Shadow puppetry has an ancient past, it is also a great way to build oral expression and reading fluency. Young thespians research folk tales, compare and contrast reality and fantasy, then create and perform a shadow puppet play based...

Now this sounds like a fun lesson! Youngsters learn about pioneer life and the Westward Movement. First, they listen to the Copland's "Appalachian Spring," and then they discuss the elements of music found in the piece. They...

There are three little words every teacher is just dying to hear; investigate, discuss, and play. Kids love those words too, and they'll love finding out what types of things children did for fun long ago. As homework, they interview...

Students identify the characteristics that make someone a hero. They also examine the values of all heroes.

Fifth graders research life in Alaska and compare life there to their lives in this activity. They read "Julie of the Wolves." They research through the novel and other reference books facts about the Alaskan climate and geography. ...

Students examine paragraph structure, the writing process, and then design a model for the process. In this writing skills lesson, students explore paragraphs using the SmartBoard. Students create a class T-chart about paragraph...

Students compare/contrast rural and urban communities, and view and discuss the images on the Illinois quarter. They discuss Abraham Lincoln's life, complete a chart and a Venn diagram comparing urban and rural settings, and create a...

Learners explore the government functions of the European Union and how legislation is passed. As a class, students define the European Union and their interests in economic, political and social issues. Using the internet, learners...

Students differentiate between plant and animal cells. They identify the structures central to plant cells. They complete a Venn Diagram listing the differences between animal and plant cells.

Students compare and contrast world maps and globes. They convert a 3-dimensional globe to a 2-dimensional map. They are introduced to the Mercator map projection. They observe map distortions of shape, area, distance, directions and angle.

Learners identify acts of philanthropy. For this philanthropy lesson, students define the term "hero" and read the book Stone Soup. Learners discuss soup kitchens and complete a Venn diagram analyzing the differences between governmental...

Students explore discrimination. In this character development lesson, students identify groups and organizations to which they belong and the requirements that go with each group. Students discuss inclusion and exclusion and generate...

Second graders identify the elements of the story "The Librarian from the Black Lagoon." They listen to the story and list the story elements of character, settling, problem, and solution. They then use KidPix to create individual...

In this differentiated instructional activity, students incorporate different subjects using the Ghandi and Montessori methods instead of the traditional method used in regular schools. In math they investigate shapes, colors and sizes....