Machines can be so helpful sometimes. A simple interactive has learners enter input values for a function machine and observe output values. These values help determine a function that represents the input-output relationship in the...

What began as an effort to show a movie by an interest group has impacted financing of federal elections. Did the Citizens United case lead to more "dark money" in politics, or did it shine a light with more speech? Using video clips...

Did you say a diamonte? Ask your young poets to craft and polish this gem of a form poem. The fifth in a series of ten poetry writing exercises.

The Tanka, another fix from of Japanese poetry, is featured in the final exercise in a 10-part series of poetry writing activities.

Young scholars review the Bill of Rights on Aquademics and list the rights that are guaranteed to United States citizens. In groups, they role play the role of important leaders whose rules would make a difference for the lives of fish...

Students create a fire safety rules poster. In this fire safety instructional activity, students inspect their classroom and discuss the best way to exit in case of a fire. Students then make a poster stating the rules and exit plan.

Students explore rules of conduct in a political body, first drafting rules that apply to their classroom, then adapting them to political actions in Congress.

Middle schoolers create Egyptian rulers trading cards. In this ancient Egypt lesson, students research Internet and print resources for information regarding Egyptian rulers. Middle schoolers use the information to create...

Students explore all the uses of commas by finding sentences using commas and describing how they are used by comparing the sentences to the rules for utilizing commas. They create a poster with five rules of commas and examples for each...

Ninth graders participate in talking circles about how their classroom will function. In this self-governance instructional activity, 9th graders participate in talking circle activities to create rules that will govern their class....

Students explore the Pilgrims and the Mayflower Compact. They practice these concepts by examining the school rules.

Students complete a unit of lessons on the documents, symbols, and famous people involved in the founding of the U.S. government. They create a personal bill of rights, write a found poem, design a flag, conduct research, and role-play...

Students explore the mathematical probabilities involved in gambling and how these factors affect people's behavior. They work in pairs and conduct and experiment pertaining to blackjack. The class creates a graph showing the trends found.

Young scholars share their own views on eating genetically altered foods. After reading an article, they research any issues concerning these types of foods in the United States. In groups, they create a campaign slogan to help gain...

Students observe teacher's inappropriate classroom procedures such as tattling, pushing, or interrupting. In this showing respectful behaviors lesson, students respond to scenarios created by the teacher and address what the appropriate...

Learners listen to the teacher read a book about a police officer and his trained dog and make connections to their own personal safety habits. In this safety instructional activity, students create a classroom bulletin board of safety...

Sixth graders work in small groups to organize a wagon train for a trek westward. They determine leadership responsibilities and rules needed to make a successful trek.

Students explore Indian and Pakistani steps toward peace since the Indian subcontinent gained independence from British rule in 1947. They, in groups, research and then create multi-tiered timelines representing politics during those...

Students explore, analyze and study about fire fighters and fire safety. They listen to a book, list what they already know about firefighters and fire safety rules and compare/contrast types of firefighters. Each student then writes a...

Students build a machine to roll a pumpkin. In this invention lesson, students work in groups to build a machine, in the classroom, that will roll a pumpkin farther than their classmates machines. The lesson ends with a competition.

Students research how and why different parts of the world were colonized, considering the pros and cons for both the rulers and the ruled.

Students participate in their own mock oral arguments. They create their own opinions and discuss any opposing opinions. They write their own opinion for a case to end the lesson.

Students develop appropriate ways to communicate via e-mail. They evaluate examples of inappropriate e-mails and create preferable alternatives.