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Secret 'Lives'
Students read an online article in preparation for researching a period in history and interviewing someone who lived during that time. They investigate how they have participated in history.
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Another Way of Life
Students read about the 2006 Amish school killings. They explore Amish life, including how loss and tragedy are handled and compare it to how they, themselves, would handle the same situation. They write fictitious dialogues highlighting...
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Left to Their Own (Literary) Devices
Students write scenes for stories using their own original characters. However, they write using the literary and plot devices found in the Lemony Snicket book series.
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"Write-a-Letter-to-the-Teacher" Book Report
Students practice writing a friendly letter to the teacher as a method of reviewing a book. They write a three paragraph report on a book that they read in friendly letter format.
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Lessons in Learning
Young scholars share their opinions about public education by responding to one-question interviews. After reading an article, they discover new recommendations for the No Child Left Behind Act. They prepare a three-part reader...
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Lone Wolves
Students examine the reasons why some people do not support the protection of the wolf on the Endangered Species list. After reading an article, they discuss the controversy of delisting the wolves. As a class, they debate this issue...
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Legends and Lore
Students begin the instructional activity by responding in their journals regarding questions about their favorite fairy tales. They listen to a folk tale and answer questions based on the folk tale genre and then brainstorm aphorisms...
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Thinking Out Loud
Students share opinions about whether a series of statements from the internet constitute facts or opinions. They read and analyze blogs published in on the web in order to understand the use of fact, opinion, and tone of voice when...
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Youth Leading the Way
Young scholars share opinions about groups or activities that give meaning to their lives. They read and discuss the article "Challenging Tradition, Young Jews Worship on Their Terms". Afterward, they investigate and write news articles...
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Read the Directions
In this comprehension worksheet, 5th graders focus on following written directions. Students seek out and circle specific "direction" words in the 11 sentences given.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Learners complete QAR activities for Maya Angelou's I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. In this literary analysis instructional activity, students read chapters 2 and 3 and complete reading check questions. Learners discuss chapter...
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Exploring Community Through Local History: Oral Stories, Landmarks and Traditions
Students explore the history of their local community. In this local history instructional activity, students analyze primary documents to develop an understanding of the local culture and traditions of their local community.
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History of the English Language - Who Were the Anglo Saxons?
Pupils explore the Anglo Saxon world view, preparing them to fully explain Anglo Saxon literature.
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Web Writer's Block
Pupils evaluate Web sites banned in various countries, and investigate the reasons why particular countries would want to block information from its people.
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Pardon Me, Please
Young scholars research capital punishment policies supported by leaders who have issued pardons, then reflect on how executive pardons might affect the balance of power between the branches of government.
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Minding the Media
Students reflect on the fairness of rating movies, television, radio, books, magazines, Web sites and other media. They submit their own entries for a media rating guide.
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Putting the Truth in Writing
Students define "nonfiction" and describe what they view as the best pieces of nonfiction writing. They determine criteria to evaluate whether or not a piece of nonfiction writing is good, and list categories of nonfiction writing.
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Wild Wildlife
Students assess how people both support and refute actions that lead to the extinction of animals. They examine how the wild tiger population has grown from near-extinction due to conservation efforts. They investigate an animal species...
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Drawing the Line at Freedom?
Students explore civil liberties as they relate to the events of September 11, 2001 and the months that followed, and discuss how these circumstances may or may not have altered the rights of American citizens and foreigners visiting the...
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Electric Exhibitions
Pupils, in this lesson, explore how modern technology can be used to enhance existing museum exhibits.
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"Write" Answers
Students examine the Q.& A. articles found each week in Science Times, focusing on how the answers are presented in a clear and logical way, as well as the relevance of understanding science's roles in our daily lives.
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Lost in Translation
Learners reflect on the uses of mathematics in their daily lives and work in pairs to design brochures that make specific mathematical concepts clear and interesting to a popular audience.
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Now Hear This!
Students observe the differences between low- and high-frequency sounds. They research and compare the characteristics of various animals that rely on infrasonic sounds to communicate.
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Spam University
Students read a New York Times article in order to consider the dissemination of information. They investigate the need for privacy as opposed to the need for information by looking at mass on-line and postal mail distributors.