Learners describe events that happened on the Oregon Trail and in the daily lives of Native Americans by writing a narrative essay of a family traveling through Nebraska based on Thomas Hart Benton's paintings.

Students practice their writing skills by creating a character sketch of themselves. After viewing portraits, they select one personality trait and put their own picture into the painting of their choice. They include a conversation with...

Ninth graders discuss life of Lucas Samaras, identify familial, cultural, and personal characteristics, and create 3-dimensional containers exploring external and internal characteristics

Third graders explore respect. In this instructional activity about respecting others and their property, 3rd graders learn hoe to be nice to other people. Students discuss different situations and whether or not it is being respectful....

Students read various pieces of literature by Nathaniel Hawthorne to recognize the difference between a narrator and author. Students in small groups report on the narrative point of view represented in a story they have read.

Middle schoolers identify different viewpoints in society. They describe the characteristics of some of the individuals involved in the march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. They listen to a historical narrative and identify issues of...

Students examine different perspectives of slavery. They write a personal account of slavery as a slave trader, a plantation owner, and fugitives and working slaves. They role-play these roles for the class.

Celebrate Women's History month in March by teaching your learners about the struggles and achievements of women throughout Michigan's history, the changes that have taken place in women's roles, and the difference one person can make.

Students recognize how they are stars in their own rights. In this language arts lesson, students consider their personal achievements as they make a star mobile that includes written life event highlights.

Students read a version of Ramayana and explore the elements of the epic hero cycle. For this Ramayana analysis lesson, students retell the basic narrative of the Ramayana and identify the main characters. Students identify elements of...

Students create a mixed media collage. In this visual arts lesson, students look at the work of Jane Ash Poitras. They create their own collage that shows their personal and collective history and experiences. 

Students create a nameplate and an original fairy tale book using an illuminated manuscript format. They create a personal nameplate using a decorated or historiated initial, a border, and illuminations.

Students analyze concept of identity in the context of the border region, and in particular by considering the concept of identity in a movie concerning a famous border personality.

Students research a career they are interested in. They explore print and online want ads for job prospects, interview a person currently in that career, and make a class presentation about the career.

Fourth graders investigate Michigan history and how it impacts their lives. They create a timeline and make personal connections with the history of Michigan. Students explore the impact of events in Michigan's past on their own families.

Students complete a personal vision, a four year plan essay, meant to stimulate their thinking process. They set a foundation for what they hope to strive for in the next four years to come.

Students invent an imaginary character that has the ability to time travel to China and create stories in the tradition of a traveler's tale, whereas their characters visit China's capital city, Beijing, and go to the Great Wall of China...

Students create a nameplate and an original fairy tale book using an illuminated manuscript format. For this fairy tale lesson plan, students will explain styles and techniques of illuminated manuscripts. They will also create a personal...

Students study conative and cognitive strengths through characters in literature. In this conative and cognitive strength lesson, students read about a favorite character or historical person. They make a chart of the difficulties the...

Students interview a subject and write a biographical sketch for a fictional magazine. In this interview lesson, students choose a person to interview and create two sets of questions. Students conduct the interview. Students then write...

Students create a personal life timeline to better explain how a historical timeline is effective in studying history. They also write a poem about themselves.

Students examine the various cultures of the world through literature. After reading various stories, they compare their own personal experience with the characters. In groups, they take the original story and add their own characters...

Fifth graders explore the westward movement between 1800 and 1861 in the United States. They write narratives from the standpoint of those cultures that were repressed during this period, such as Native Americans, slaves, or Mexicans. ...

High schoolers interpret the Second Amendment. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students examine the right to bear arms as they compare 2 Michigan Supreme Court cases and discuss their personal interpretations of the amendment.