Young scholars discover service learning and how it can help them build character.  In this community lesson plan, students brainstorm ways they can assist their classmates with problems, and write about it in their journal....

Students examine and discuss brevity of business letters, create focused and catchy letters, and publish a typed letter that is suitable for mailing.

Young scholars explore both questions in relation to Steve Iams's writings about the subjects. They explain why self-discipline is central to the life of a Peace Corps Volunteer and define integrity and explain its application to their...

Students discover artistic symbols from cultures around the world. In this cultural murals lesson, students observe different murals on-line, and select two to write about on their student blog. The students investigate the murals and...

Students pretend they are on the Oregon Trail and keep a diary of their adventures. In this Oregon Trail lesson plan, students write about their decisions to move, crossing rivers, buying supplies, and more.

Students examine different types of situations that involve conflict. They write about one type of conflict in their journal and share it with the class.

Students investigate the various causes of the U.S. Civil War. They view photos on the Smithsonian website, write about what it would have been like to be in the Civil War, complete a graphic organizer, and analyze a timeline.

Students participate in a service project. In this community service lesson, students use their special talents to help others. Students draw or write about the service they've provided. The class turns this into a class book.

Students write about and discuss personal leisure time activities and record their activities in a slide show format to present to their classmates. They work off a word bank of materials relating to fly-tying and fishing after all other...

Students read "The Green Truck Garden Giveaway" and explore the hobby of gardening. After observing illustrations in the book, students predict possible events in the story. They discuss gardening and write a story about a community...

How do you represent a tragic event? Are stories of tragic events better left untold? After reading chapter two of Maus and studying other representations of the Holocaust (suggestions are included), class members create a representation...

Does your class understand the importance of peaceful conflict resolution? Middle schoolers share conflict stories, then collaborate to resolve simulated conflicts during an engaging lesson. The teacher's guide contains implementation...

Students explore ways to grow close to Jesus Christ. In this religious studies lesson, students read and analyze scripture from John, Matthew, and Romans. Students then complete a KWLQ chart based on the readings and write about the way...

In this reading worksheet, young scholars answer 10 multiple-choice questions about the book. For example, "What happened to the very first edition of the Laundry News?"

If someone breaks a promise, is that person no longer trustworthy? Present your 6th and 7th graders with a series of statements and have them debate their opinions with supporting evidence. As an extension, have your learners write a...

Use photographs to trigger memories. Writers use a personal photograph as a starting point for an autobiographical writing exercise. They complete brainstorming activities that have them study their photograph before actually putting pen...

Pupils of all ages work in pairs to find information about themselves and record a digital "Who am I?" They observe and measure each other, write clues, and illustrate before having others guess who is described.

Identifying themes in literature is the focus of the language arts lesson plan presented here. Learners read short pieces of fiction and practice the skill of identifying the themes present in each one. The bulk of the lesson consists of...

Learners use a variety of linked sites to research information about student inventions and contests that are available for them. They research an invention they would like to see become available. They communicate their results to their...

Vladek's attitudes are difficult for many young learners to understand. Prepare your class for the events represented in Art Speigelman's graphic novel with a pre-reading activity that has them read articles about and interviews with...

How much is your toaster costing you every day? Young environmentalists calculate the monetary costs of household appliances based on their average consumption of wattage.

Did I hear you right? You need a great activity on active listening? Through large- and small-group activities, learners differentiate between poor and excellent listening skills. The resource, 7th in a series of 15, focuses on active...

A lesson plan instills the importance of locating reliable sources. Scholars are challenged to locate digital sources, analyze their reliability, search for any bias, and identify frequently found problems that make a source unusable. 

Examine the role of social media in social and political uprisings. Pupils listen to NPR audio clips about social media and the Arab Spring and read an article that proposes the idea that revolution will not happen through social media....