Students explore women in history. In this lesson about nineteenth century women, students analyze paintings looking at women and their clothing, expressions, body language, and the setting and color. Students understand how paintings...

Students read and compare excerpts from The Odyssey and The Adventures of Telemachus. In this literary comparison instructional activity, students read the two stories and discuss the characters Telemachus and Eucharis. Students view an...

Young scholars explore their state symbols. In this symbolism lesson, students use a variety of resources to research the symbols that represent their state. Young scholars discover the state flower, state flag, and state bird.

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.

Second graders identify story elements in familiar stories from their lives. In this story elements instructional activity, 2nd graders act out familiar activities  by following directions. Students read a story and discuss the...

In this social justice activity, learners complete the provided requirements listed in this narrative rubric in order to research and present their findings about social justice issues they select.

Students recognize aspects of a historical map drawn around 1721 by a Native American for presentation to British governor of South Carolina, compare it to European map of the same period, and create map that shows relationships of...

Fourth graders read numerous examples of fairy tales. Using the text, they identify the organization styles and conventions within them and write their own for a class book. They practice using descriptive language and receive...

Young scholars write narrative essays about getting a famous person's autograph (a classmate) and then combine their work with pictures to enhance the stories. This technique can be used with any writing project.

Learners use the site maps and other resources to research one of the influential Caribbean immigrants or descendents of immigrants mentioned in a narrative they have read. They write an essay about an influential immigrant.

Students use primary source documents to gather information on justices in the Michigan Supreme Court. They write about the thoughts and experiences of the author. They identify and describe each justice briefly.

Sixth graders demonstrate an understanding of a narrative story by listening, speaking, reading and writing activities. They create two visual products that reflect the understanding of events, vocabulary, and characters.

High schoolers list five food dishes that are part of their family's heritage. Each student then does research of a country and a recipe (possibly a family recipe). With the help of members of his/her kitchen group, the student prepares...

Eighth graders define and use new vocabulary and identify the reasons why Native Americans captured Europeans during the colonial period. They write their own journal entries about the topic and explain the importance of journals as a...

Students research walruses using the library and the Internet, then write an essay from what they find in their research.  In this investigative instructional activity students view a video on walruses then write an essay after...

High schoolers develop a pictorial portfolio of important assignments, projects and activities through their high school years. They use a camera and decide what makes a good photograph. Students organize their photographs into a...

Learners examine and research the annual rainfall in Nebraska. They create a map of the annual rainfall in Nebraska and use the map to develop explanations of settlement.

Sixth graders investigate how journal writing helps preserve past, present and future history. They discover how different groups of people keep different types of journals and what the journals show about the lives of the writers.

Students are creating their own stories to understand life. The use of history is used to help one to create one's own story. The skill of writing is emphasized as a tool to learn history.

Pupils explore the life and philosophy of Henry David Thoreau. Students watch a slide show on Henry David Thoreau. They visit a quiet, tranquil location and observe nature. After reading and discussing Thoreau's works, pupils create a...

Students research cultural and social issues in the areas of Westward Expansion, Immigration, and Civil Rights. They use their research to create a PowerPoint electronic book to be used by other students.

Students draw a picture of their favorite tree from memory, and then add detail as they learn more about leaf characteristics of Virginia trees. They will use their writing skills to nominate one or more of their favorite trees to the...

Students create a book about plants they observe after identifying and researching them.

Students practice the art of storytelling by examining scroll writing techniques of Asia and applying them to a monthly story of their own classroom. This lesson is in two parts (Part II continues throughout the school year).