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Americas Idols
Learners engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of American Idol and the controversy that surrounds the broadcast. They conduct research using a variety of resources and write paragraphs that state opinions about the...
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1950’s American Culture: Television, Fashion, and Music
Sixth graders investigate the impact of popular culture on Americans. In this 1950's America instructional activity, 6th graders view television clips, listen to audio clips, and look over fashion photographs from the decade....
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Soldiers' Stories
Students share opinions about the conditions under which they might risk their lives for a cause. They write letters from the perspective of soldiers and family members during a tour of duty.
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Pioneers Find Fun
Fourth graders investigate pioneer Studentss games. They research various games, play a pioneer game, and in small groups, create their own original pioneer game to teach to the class.
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Weekly Current Events
Pupils examine current events every week. Using the internet, they complete searches about specific events. In groups, they gather information to share with the class and discuss any opposing viewpoints.
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Civil War Newspaper
High schoolers investigate the concept of the Civil War while conducting research using a variety of resources. The information is used to create a source for a class project. They create a class newspaper that becomes a summary of some...
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Connecting to China
Students use the internet to research the culture of China. In groups, they examine the giant pandas and draw their own picture of the two interacting. They also write a paragraph describing what they saw and can share it with the class.
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Industrial Revolution
Seventh graders research how the Industrial Revolution impacted people. In this Industrial Revolution instructional activity, 7th graders examine how the change from shop or cottage industry to the factory affected people, how the...
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Lose a Vote, Gain a Vote
Learners explore the issues behind close Senatorial races. They investigate the qualities of political leaders, the 2002 senatorial elections and the differences and similarities between the Republican and Democratic parties.
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Money Bags
Students compare budgets of various federal agencies and graph the monetary relations between these top-funded agencies. They propose alternate budgets and justify their own monetary priorities.
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Science Under Control
Students investigate and assess scientific issues for which government regulation has been or might be enacted. Using their research, students write letters to lawmakers supporting or contesting related legislative efforts.
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An Ancient Odyssey
Students identify both the traditional myths and historical facts that are associated with geographical locations in ancient Greece. They create a "Travel to Ancient Greece" display to present their findings.
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Show Me the Money
Students examine current and past economic crises around the world, using the current recession in the United States as a starting point.
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Rebuiding Houses of Worship
Learners explore architecture as a reflection both of culture and history as well as practical/functional considerations. They discuss examples of local architecture they find beautiful or interesting, and their criteria for making such...
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Nobel Peacekeeping
Students examine the goals of eradicating poverty, preventing conflict and promoting democracy--outlined in Kofi Annan's 2001 Nobel Peace Prize lecture--as they apply to today's news.
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Conflicts of Current Interest
Students use conflicts in the Middle East to explore tactics of conflict resolution.
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Private Matters
Young scholars examine the intersection between an individual's right to privacy versus the public's right to know, through the lens of the relationship between public figure Gary Condit and missing intern Chandra Levy.
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NIMBY...Settlement...This Is The Place
Fourth graders identify the discussions, disagreements, and resolutions that zoning or location decisions can create. They explain how NIMBY (NOT IN MY BACK YARD) works and how the desires of the individual and the group affect the NIMBY...
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Fancying the Full-Time
Students consider rights a worker deserves and research the impact of migrant workers in countries around the world. They create public service announcements to increase awareness and address letters to individuals capable of redressing...
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Pilgrim's Progress
Students research the historical and religious significance of the sites toured by Pope John Paul II on his pilgrimage to the Middle East and create travel brochures for each site.
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Sand Dollars
Students debate the issues of economic prosperity, cultural preservation and environmental preservation by examining the development of land in the Bahamas.
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Currency Exchange and the Gang of Fifteen
Students demonstrate the ability to comprehend and calculate currency exchange rates.
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Our Community Helpers
Students explore community helpers in order to explain how they fit into their community and the world.
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Decision Making
High schoolers read and discuss a story about decision making. They consider the role of self-awareness and personal values in decision making.