Why would an artist destroy his own work? Kids examine the Malagan practice of creating and then destroying art. They talk about the cultural and spiritual significance of this practice, as well as how it relates to consumerism in...

Here, Autumn Poplars is the painting upper graders will analyze. They look at techniques, time period, and the use of impressionism to convey a natural theme. They go outside to make observations of nature and use what they see to write...

After a quick warm up activity, learners get ready to use their keen observation skills to examine an ornate Japanese pencil box. They discuss the artistry, skills, and story of the box, paying close attention to details. They then...

Class members adopt the role of Law and Order history investigators and examine primary source documents to determine the legitimacy of Marco Polo's claim that he traveled to and traded in China. A cleverly crafted...

Considering Carson McCullers' The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter for whole-class reading or as a selection for book circles? Check out this resource that overviews the organizational patterns, themes, plot structure, tone, and setting. 

You have just hit the lesson plan jackpot! This isn't just a lesson plan, it's a ten-day unit covering westward expansion, pioneer life, and the Oregon Trail. Activities include baking, model building, role-play, newspaper writing,...

The four-faced Hamat'sa mask is the inspiration for a lesson on ceremonial art and the process of initiation. The class examines images of the piece, then discusses how the mask represents ceremonial initiation. They get imaginative...

Develop critical thinkers and awareness of the media's techniques. Impressionable minds analyze advertisements they see all around them in this potentially 3-week long unit of five complete lesson plans. Extended discussions, outside...

Who done it? Class groups adopt the role of crime scene investigators and examine exhibits (primary source documents) to determine who attempted to assassinate the members of the Medici dynasty.

Explore the newspaper as a unique entity with a detailed and extended unit. The unit requires learners to consider the newspaper's role in democracy, think about ethics, practice writing and interviewing, and examine advertising and news...

In this pictograph problem solving instructional activity, students analyze a pictograph of birds seen each day for a week. They use the information on the graph to solve 6 problems.

Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this inventions lesson, students analyze photographs of American inventions and and discuss the needs the inventions met...

In this data collection activity, students write the data that can be collected about bluebirds and nests and the tools they would use to collect this data. Students complete 14 rows of data.

In this graphing worksheet, students look at a bar graph of allowance and dollars. They answer 6 questions related to the bar graph. 

Third graders use two days to create, collect, display and analyze data. Classroom activities and practice build greater understanding to a variety of forms used to display data.

In this cartoon analysis activity, students fill out the activity to assist in the analysis of cartoons. They consider symbols when determining the message of the cartoon.

Students read the information in order to identify ways to complete a literature analysis. In this literature analysis lesson, students read paragraphs and practice using the five questions.

Young scholars analyze the motivations behind characters. In this character analysis lesson, students reflect on conflicts from previous stories and watch a clip from 'East is East.' Young scholars answer questions for the movie and...

In this poetry learning exercise, students select poems, read them, and then respond to 17 questions about the content, response, and history of the poem.

Students critique advertisements in magazines, newspapers and telephone books.  In this advertising activity, students complete a class activity in which they locate specific advertisements, then answer questions that analyze the...

Teach teenagers to think critically about data. Young data analysts must create two questions that can be answered using a provided data set on Olympic cycling times. Of course, they then have to answer their questions using mathematics.

Consider how you can use a visual source, such as a painting, to learn about a historical time or event. Young learners discuss primary sources and how they differ from secondary sources, then analyze the painting Mother and Child by...

Find the math in recipes. Young chefs will follow a recipe and investigate the total cost for materials. They measure amounts of food necessary for the recipe and compute the per person cost.

Analyze characters and stories to identify stereotyping. Learners will examine the concept of character gender to evaluate bias in classroom story books. They are asked to read a story or play and change the gender of the character to...