What does similarity have to do with the Pythagorean Theorem? The activity steps through the proof of the Pythagorean Theorem by using similar triangles. Next, the teacher leads a discussion of the proof and follows it by an animated...

Substitution is still the method of choice to verify number sentences. The detailed instructional activity has young mathematicians determining conditions for when number sentences are true or false through substitution. They learn to...

Young readers work on evaluating claims in a piece of informational text with the article "In New York, It's Open Bag or Find Exits" from the New York Times. They analyze current search procedures implemented to fight terrorism...

Review story elements with your class. They will use examples from a story to develop critical-thinking questions. Then they use a graphic organizer to describe the setting, character, and plot of the story, focusing on how they...

Discuss the definition of parallel structure with your high school class. In small groups, they read a section of "The Declaration of Independence" to identify examples of parallel structure. Each learner writes an essay explaining the...

Students, after reading Fahrenheit 451, brainstorm inventions that could have been in the novel. They present their invention to the class and writing an expository essay about their creation.

Catch the attention of your class by holding a ball and asking your learners what will happen if you let the ball go. Now that they're thinking of possible effects, introduce them to the day's topic: cause and effect. Present sentences...

Art and music have been vehicles for statements of civil unrest for hundreds of years. Upper graders critically analyze several pop songs or music movements from the 1980s that exemplify politically charged motives. They...

The phrase, "You sold out" has been thrown around among musicians that have lent their talents to the corporate world. Here, the class engages in an interesting discussion on how musicians make a living and the influence of commercialism...

Students interview a veteren of any of the major U.S. wars. They must identify one quote from the veteren that sums up their experience.

Students use a scene from a book and make it come alive in movie clips.

Students research an event in history in which rights and responsibilities are involved. They create a movie of the information they find.

Students gain a greater appreciation of women's contributions to history and culture. They product an iMovie based on the contributions of women.

Students interview a veteran or he/her family to gather information about the person's life. They produce an iMovie that describes the veteran's military experience.

Learners research an event or a person from a decade in American history when the civil rights movement was an important focus. They create a multimedia project based on the research.

Explore Autism by watching the CNN presentation: Autism is a World. Upper graders view and discuss the documentary  identify the symptoms and characteristics of autism, research treatment options, and create an...

Students analyze "To Build a Fire" by Jack London and "The Open boat" by Stephen Crane. They write an essay in which they compare and contrast the narrators and plots in each story.

Understanding different cultural experiences is a challenging and worthwhile objective throughout grade and content levels. This lesson facilitates an appreciation of rural Mongolian life through a simulation of being a nomadic teen...

Get creative while exploring the art and history of the ancient Greeks. Learners create construction paper representations of Greek pottery, focusing on the differences between geometric and organic shapes. This project could enhance an...

"Am I normal?" Bring this topical discussion to your health or teen issues class, who might be struggling with their developing identities. Learners discuss relationships, including acquaintences, friendships, girlfriends, boyfriends,...

Twenty-six pages of good information about pregnancy. Pictures and descriptions describe the moment the sperm and egg unite, and there are worksheets that students can complete. This is a pretty comprehensive instructional activity for...

ELLs are introduced to the experiences of Filipino immigrants to the United States. As a class, they discuss the various waves of immigration to the United States and state the reasons why they would leave the Philippines. They compare...

Explore the basic PowerPoint commands and options. They research information (including the WWW) related to an approved topic for presentation development. They create a presentation defined by specific criteria. They document research...

High schoolers consider decisions about how to use resources that are in short supply. Students role-play different perspectives in a land-use simulation, and examine land use issues around the world. This interesting lesson plan sheds...