Students reflect in their journals about an everyday object they take for granted. After reading an article, they examine what a cook's tools can reveal about their life. In groups, they research everyday objects and write a museum...

What do we do when a dive is too dangerous for humans to accomplish? Send in the robots! Middle school scientists get acquainted with several different models of submersible robots in the second lesson of six from NOAA. Lab groups then...

Students examine and observe how many human-made objects get their basic design from things in nature. They listen to the book "Nature Got There First," compare/contrast hollow bones with drinking straws, bird beaks and tool pliers, and...

So many shapes in our vast oceans. Young explorers can discover new shapes in a variety of ways in this lesson. One way is having free exploration with a pattern shape kit handed out by the teacher. Another is by viewing a...

Students investigate different painting techniques by studying classic works of art.  In this art history lesson, students observe the famous Madonna and Child with Saints painting and describe the texture and images they notice....

Math and science come together in this cross-curricular astronomy lesson plan on planetary motion. Starting off with a hands-on activity that engages the class in exploring the geometry of circles and ellipses, this lesson...

Third graders practice measuring items by examining classroom objects.  In this geometry lesson, 3rd graders utilize measuring tools to find the weight, time, length or temperature of specific classroom items.  Students predict...

Students explore equality by analyzing their own classroom belongings. In this gender bias lesson, students investigate their classroom and identify objects as either male or female biased. Students collaborate while exploring the idea...

Young scholars make connections between two design objects intended for different purposes and analyze the social and political meaning in the designs. For this design analysis lesson, students complete image based discuss activities....

Students explain the use of different technologies based on their resolving power. Explain how technologies are used to solve scientific and health-related problems. Explain the concept of using right tool for the job and develop a multi...

Young scholars explore engineering by building a simple design in class. In this pencil creation lesson plan, students discuss their likes and dislikes with current writing utensils and design a new type of pencil. Young scholars utilize...

Young scholars analyze primary source documents to determine how life was for slaves. In this slavery lesson, students view online resources from the Library of Congress to analyze and discuss. Young scholars select a final object to...

The struggle for women's rights is not unique to this generation, or even to the 20th century. Class members explore the conflicting opinions of Alexander Graham Bell and his wife, Mabel Hubbard Bell, regarding women's pursuits of higher...

The history of women's education can be traced back to the delicate stitching of student samplers from the 19th century. Modern-day pupils examine and analyze four primary sources, three of which are images of embroidered samplers, which...

Fill-out a story map to help your scholars with pre-writing. They will use a story map template to pre-write. They also organize their ideas into steps which become the foundation for their first draft. Concrete objects are brought in to...

Fifth graders practice measuring items with unique tools.  In this length lesson, 5th graders examine several household items and must decide if they want to use a pencil width, piece of paper, or their thumb to measure the item....

Students utilize dichotomous keys to identify trees in their schools.  In this ecological identification instructional activity, students practice creating dichotomous keys based on simple subjects such as hair color or sex of a...

Second graders investigate the life of a recycled newspaper by experimenting in class.  In this recycling lesson, 2nd graders create their own recycled paper pulp by mixing an old newspaper into a bucket and adding water....

Learners investigate the Middle Ages and it's relation to the theater.  In this acting lesson, students read Arthurian stories form the Middle Ages and practice using vocabulary words from the Medieval Times.  Learners write a...

Students examine and plot atmospheric data on bar graphs.

Ever wonder how to memorialize World War I heroes in the classroom? Activities in a high-quality social studies resource prompt middle schoolers to research Internet sources, complete a graphic organizer, and write an editorial feature...

Students examine American Indian artifacts through historical, cultural and artistic lenses. They explore the philosophy behind the Smithsonian Institute's new museum to honor American Indian history and traditions.

During a biology lesson, scholars research microbes, design a lesson plan using an outline, and present the lesson to the class. 

Suggestions for using primary sources.