High schoolers read texts, view film and video and conduct research in an analysis and comparison of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and the Kabuki piece "Chushingura". They focus their analysis on the theme of revenge.

Students research philanthropists of the American Revolution. In this philanthropy lesson plan, students watch the video Johnny Tremain and analyze the characters and determine their motives. Students read the Declaration of...

Study historical events by combining the study of historical fiction and non-fiction. Learners read about true past events in historical fiction novels and then research non-fiction accounts of the same events. What are some differences...

Young scholars research the social context of Elizabethan England for Shakespeare's "Hamlet". They identify cultural influences on the play focusing on the theme of revenge and then analyze and compare film interpretations of the play.

Students read a book from the Dear America series and contrast different points of view. They respond to the book either by participating in a literature circle or completing a journal entry. They compare and contrast two books or a...

Eighth graders read selected passages from The Diary of Anne Frank. Working in pairs, 8th graders determine what qualities and characteristics they would assign to her from their selected diary entry.

Explore character traits using this resource. After reading the story Goldilocks and the Three Bears, learners fill in a graph identifying character traits. Then, they write and put on a skit. This resource provides a motivating way to...

Walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark as they discover the wonders, beauty, and dangers of the American frontier. After gaining background knowledge about Thomas Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase, young explorers use primary...

Everyone learns and experiences life differently. A set of lessons about character intensities encourages middle and high schoolers to analyze themselves, their peers, and characters from a book based on the five listed intensities:...

Students create a poem that expresses the physical and emotional turmoil of living through the Dust Bowl.  In this Out of the Dust lesson plan, students research facts about the time period and discuss the cause-effect patterns...

Learners participate in historical role play about the Plantation of Ulster. In this historical role play lesson, students work in groups to depict the characters of the Plantation of Ulster. They practice and perform a radio program by...

Why is a letter a better way to learn about a person than a different primary source? Explore Thomas Day's ideas and advice to his daughter in a letter from 1851, which details the struggles of the American South before the Civil War....

Young scholars explore Christopher Columbus's motives. In this character education lesson plan, students research Internet and print sources regarding the life and actions of Christopher Columbus in order to write essays that his actions...

Students run a mock trial for Lee Harvey Oswald. They identify what motivated him to assassinate the President. They examine his personality as well.

Students experience a shared reading regarding the importance of feeling like a valued member of the community within a family. In this family member feelings lesson, students discuss the feelings and the motives of the characters....

Scholars analyze the role of bystanders during the Holocaust. The investigation explores the roles of the bystanders, upstanders, and rescuers with primary and secondary resources to determine actions taken—or not—and their implications...

Learners produce a play about their community. In this historic play lesson plan, students research their community and script historic play books that provide a background about their community.

Sixth graders access their prior knowledge of the job of Parliament and its relationship to the monarchy. In this Gunpowder Plot lesson, 6th graders research the Gunpowder Plot, summarize key story ideas, and role play the plot. They...

Students explore the purpose of a garden. In this Earth Day instructional activity, students read the story The Gardener and complete a Venn diagram comparing life in a city to farm life. Students discuss Earth Day and plant flowers in a...

Students examine different myths of various cultures around the world. Using artwork, they discuss the artistic designs and develop hypothesize about their importance. They use the internet to research myths they are aware of and share...

Students create a graffiti wall using their own name or personal symbol. They examine their own understanding of the film as a source of inspiration and listen to the music from the soundtrack as an effective motivation. They make...

Students prepare for a visit to the West Virginia State Museum. In this West Virginia history lesson, students research the individuals whose leadership impacted the state. Students create multimedia projects featuring the individuals...

Students define elements of stories from around the world that include helpful animals. They explore animal character motivations and use graphic organizers to compare and contrast animal stories from different cultures.