Podcasting and the News
Students listen to a news podcast and use a graphic organizer to record what they learn.
From the Land, Of the Land: An Interdisciplinary Lesson on Indigenous
Peoples
Energize a geography or language arts lesson with this online activity for grades 7-12. Students research the concept
of indigenous people then write a diamante poem about what they've learned. Both the research and the poem creation
are done online.
No Place Like Home
Students learn to "read" digital content as they analyze photographs of high plains sod homes and read accompanying
narratives. They then choose one photograph and identify characteristics, points, differences, and questions they
find in that photograph.
Will the Leaning Tower
Fall?
Students in grades 9-12 research the Tower of Pisa and write a report
about its history. They examine the physics of why the Tower leans and
whether it might fall. Finally, they plan a trip to Italy to see the Tower,
developing an itinerary and budget for the trip.
Upping the Odds on Standardized
Tests
Help your high school students perform their best on upcoming college
admissions or state standardized tests with this fun and informative lesson
plan. Students research test-taking tips focusing on nutrition, sleep,
stress reducers, and more, and then present their findings -- in a variety
of fun projects -- to another class or grade level.
Four Days in Paris
In this foreign language or social studies lesson for grades 4-6, students
research a travel destination, set up a four-day itinerary, and then use
iWork's Pages program to create an illustrated travel journal detailing
their "experiences."
Create A Poetry Calendar
In this lesson, students research, design, and create a school-year calendar
based on the work of famous poets. The activity, which can take 4-5 class
periods to complete, is a great culminating activity for a poetry unit
for grades 3-12.
Design a Community Flag
In this interdisciplinary lesson, students in grades 3-8 research basic
principles for flag design, find out how their city's flag (or the flag
of a nearby city) ranked in a national survey, and then use the computer
to create their own community flags.
Definition Expedition
Students in grades 9-12 learn three ways to define a term in technical
writing, search the Web for scientific text, then copy and paste sections
into a Word document. Finally, they use the highlighter feature of Word
to highlight examples of definitions within the text.
Prehistoric Pen Pals
Students research dinosaurs, then assume the personality of a specific
dinosaur species in this lesson for grades 3-5. Each student/dinosaur
writes an online "getting to know you" letter to another student/dinosaur
in class. Students swap letters and reply to each other's questions, improving
research and letter writing skills while learning fun dinosaur facts.
Country Comparisons in Current
Events Class
Do you have middle or high school students who are eager to debate current
events, but sometimes lack evidence for their arguments? Or, are students
struggling to understand the challenges faced in a developing country?
If so, this lesson plan, using online resources and a spreadsheet program,
may be just what you need to inform and inspire classroom discussions!
Little, Medium, Big: A PreK-2 Ordering Activity
Students love to spend time on the computer, especially in early childhood. Why not use that time to practice classroom skills? In this lesson, students use the computer mouse to order sets of clip art in a Word document.
A+ Lesson Plans from Alexandria Middle Magnet School
Seventeen teachers at Alexandria Middle Magnet School for Math and Science in Alexandria, Louisiana, have shared their favorite lessons. You're sure to find a lesson or two here to add to your bag of tricks!
Five "Eggs-traordinary" Lesson Plans: Just Add the Eggs!
Looking for a teaching theme to welcome spring? We have "eggs-actly" what you're looking for! Toss eggs into the curriculum mix. Eggs can be used to teach skills in math, geography, and science. And don't forget the art "eggs-hibit"!
Word Wall "Active-ities" Build Vocabulary, Spelling, Writing Skills
A classroom word wall has many uses. A wide variety of activities and games can be used to reinforce vocabulary words on the wall -- and to build students' vocabulary, spelling, and writing skills. Included: Teachers share favorite word wall activities.
Make This Week's Lessons Pop(corn)!
These lesson plans will engage students as they create popcorn timelines, maps, and graphs; do popcorn science and math; explore popcorn history and nutrition; and -- don't forget the best part-- eat popcorn snacks.
Take Note: Five Lessons for Note Taking Fun
If recent surveys are any indicator, cheating and plagiarism are on the rise. As teachers, however, we might be able to reverse that trend by teaching our students to take good notes. Included: Five fun lessons that teach needed note-taking skills.
Review Games = Learning + Fun
Reviewing for those inevitable end-of-unit tests doesn't have to be tedious for you and boring for your students. Liven up your review lessons -- or reinforce previously taught skills --with one of the games below! A fun -- and educational -- time will be had by all!
Icebreakers: Volume
9
Icebreaker activities offer fun ways to get to know your new students
-- and for them to get to know one another. Get the year off to a good
start with one of the twelve new icebreakers below. Included: Links
to our library of more than 100 icebreakers!
Pet Week Lessons for Every
Grade
It's National Pet Week! Have you been feeling like the proverbial "old
dog"? Learn some new tricks with five lessons that bring the delightful
topic of pets -- from feline to fish to fowl -- into the classroom to
improve language arts, math, and science skills.
Trees Sprout Classroom Lessons
Throughout the Year
Why not go out on a limb! Springtime and Arbor Day are great times to
branch out and include in your curriculum timely lessons about trees.
Included: Lessons for measuring trees, reading a color key map, creating
tree silhouettes and a "good behavior tree," more.
Iditarod Math: Ten Math Work
Sheets Teach About the Iditarod
The Iditarod is a "teachable moment" that rivals few others. Wise teachers
use this annual sled dog race to teach geography and language skills,
history, and science. This week, Education World provides 10 math work
sheets for students in grades 4 to 8.
Iditarod Brrrreathes
Life Into Tired Curriculum (Brrrr!)
Alaska in March is the place to be -- if you want to breathe life into
tired lessons, or if you simply need to engage students who have a little
cabin (or classroom) fever. Included: Ideas for working in language
arts, geography, math, history, spelling, more!
It's a Mystery!
If it seems that something has been sneaking up on you this month, it
is probably Kids Love a Mystery Week! Included: Five mysterious lessons
-- focused on language arts, history, and forensic science -- to ignite
critical thinking and spark interest in reading.
Fifty States, Five Lessons
Stuck for fun or new ways to teach about the 50 states (or Canadian
provinces and Australian states)? Education World offers five lessons
to liven up your 50 States unit.
Following Directions: A Skill
Worth Teaching
No names on papers? No titles on compositions? No answers rounded to
the nearest tenth? If you find yourself confronting such problems while
grading papers, your students may not be paying attention to directions.
Although most successful students recognize the importance of reading
instructions thoroughly and following them, some students may master
the skill slowly. Education World provides five intriguing lessons to
help your students read, write, follow, and even evaluate directions.
School "Rules"! Ten Activities
for Establishing Classroom Rules
Starting the school year on the right foot includes establishing classroom
rules that will last the whole year through. Many teachers involve students
in establishing their classroom rules. (Surprisingly, student-created
rules are often much the same as -- or even tougher than -- rules a
teacher might create. After all, students want to attend school in a
safe environment, and they want to know the boundaries when it comes
to classroom behavior.)
25 Ideas for Using Education
World Monthly Calendars
Each month, Education World provides a monthly calendar that teachers
can use to help students practice essential skills. Regular practice
will keep students' skills from getting rusty -- and should improve
test scores too!
Lessons from the Library
April is School Library Media Month, a great time to reexamine your
students' library know-how! Do your students know diddly about Dewey?
Do they believe that "biography" is a television show? Do they think
call numbers belong in a telephone's memory? Are your students convinced
that a "librarian" is a person born under the sign of Libra? If so,
it's time to reel them in and get them reacquainted with reading, researching,
and the library!
Whiteboards Stimulate Student
Learning
Start with a clean slate next semester -- introduce mini-whiteboards
to your classroom! Students love working on their own whiteboards; it's
a great way of keeping an entire class actively involved in a lesson.
This week, Education World offers five lessons to engage students in
learning with whiteboards.
Ten Games for Classroom Fun!
Do you need ideas for occupying students during the last ten minutes
of a busy day? Perhaps you want to reward kids at the end of a particularly
productive day. These ten games are great for end-of-the-day fun. You
can link many of them to classroom curricula too!
Don't Waste a Minute!
What do you do with those awkward moments that arise in every teacher's
day, those times between classes or before specials, when there's no
time for a new lesson but plenty of time for kids to act up? Try some
mini lessons, quick activities that fill time without wasting it! Included:
Dozens of mini lessons to keep kids busy -- and learning -- every minute
of the day!
Substitute Survival: Mini Lessons
for Unexpected Moments
Whether you are a substitute teacher whose lessons fall short of filling
up the day or a permanent classroom teacher whose days involve lots
of little transitional moments, these lessons will work for you!
'Every Day' Activities Across
the Curriculum
Everyday reinforcement of basic reading, listening, math, vocabulary,
and geography skills can go a long way toward ensuring that kids learn
and retain the skills you teach. You're sure to see the results
of daily reinforcement in end-of-year test results too!
The Secret's in the Little
Things: Simple Tips for Successful Teachers
Here they are -- 12 quick tips to help make managing your classroom
a breeze! Included are tips for getting to know your students, communicating
with parents, getting your day of to a good start, and much more!
Time Out for March Madness
and Mayhem
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em! Make the most of your students' interest
in the NCAA basketball tournaments with these cross-curricular lessons
and activities.
Don't Waste a Minute: QuickTivities
for Awkward Moments
So much to do! So little time! You can't afford to waste a minute. What
do you do when every day is interrupted by at least a few transitions
that never seem to fit into the natural rhythm of your lessons. Fill
those minutes with real learning by introducing your students to one
of these valuable mini lessons.
Ten Games for Classroom Fun!
Do you need ideas for occupying students during the last ten minutes
of a busy day? Perhaps you want to reward kids at the end of a particularly
productive day. These ten games are great for end-of-the-day fun. You
can link many of them to classroom curricula too!
Brush Up Those Study Skills:
An On-Line Scavenger Hunt
The Infoplease Kids' Almanac is a great Internet fact resource for kids
of all ages. This week, Education World has created three scavenger
hunts using this terrific on-line resource. Each hunt challenges students
to find interesting facts about the world they live in --- while they
practice and improve their study skills! Included: A different "hunt"
for kids in grades 1-3, 4-5, and 6-up.
A Dozen Candy-Coated Classroom
Activities!
Do you have a sweet tooth? A mouth full of them? Your students, no doubt,
share your passion for sweets, and so does the Internet. Whether you
need a novel approach to teaching graphing skills or a unique way to
motivate students to write, you will find food for thought on the Net.
"Treat" yourself to a dozen activities -- activities that enlist all
types of candy to grab and hold your students' attention!
School Stats: Real Numbers
= Math and Geography Fun!
Combine back-to-school talk with the Internet to create a perfect learning
activity! Students surf a special site created with them in mind and
compare their school numbers with those of schools in other parts of
the United States. Work in math, geography, graphing, and much more!
Included: Teaching masters for use across the grades.
The Secret's in the Little
Things: Simple Tips for Successful Teachers
Here they are -- 12 quick tips to help make managing your classroom
a breeze! Included are tips for getting to know your students, communicating
with parents, getting your day of to a good start, and much more!
On-Line Lesson Plans: Fresh
Approaches for Tired Topics
Looking for ways to liven up the classroom lessons you teach year after
year? This week, Education World takes you on a tour of some of the
best on-line sources for creative lesson plans and other classroom activities.
The Iditarod: The Last Great
Race
Alaska's annual Iditarod Dogsled Race is a perfectly "teachable moment."
Wise teachers are using the race and the many Web sites connected with
it to teach geography, math, reading, and language arts. More than that,
this annual race can teach students a thing or two about fairness in
competition and about the pride and dignity that comes with seeing a
job through to its completion. Included: Iditarod activities for use
across the grades!
From Maize to Milk: A Barnyard
Full of Activities!
Put on your straw hat and grab a pitchfork -- it's time to go down on
the farm! These activities -- centered around pigs, corn, milk, and
more -- are guaranteed to make your students "hoot and holler"! Activities
for all ages!
Popcorn Isn't Just for Movies
Anymore!
According to The Popcorn Institute, Americans consume more than 17.3
billion quarts of popcorn each year. This week, Education World provides
you with activities -- just in time for National Popcorn Month -- that
will help your students discover that there's more to popcorn than good
taste.
Planes and Trains and Automobiles
… and Study Skills!
Celebrate National Transportation Month -- "transport" students to a
dozen activities that provide practice in reading maps, schedules, timetables,
and more. Included: Four study skills teaching master activities for
students!
The Sky's the Limit!
The anniversary of the Sears Tower "topping out" is the perfect time
to explore some of the world's tallest buildings! Skyscrapers are a
great curriculum topic -- with lots of concepts and numbers for students
to wrap their minds around! Included: Activities across the curriculum!
Webs (The Discussion Kind!)
in the Classroom
Spiderwebs and Halloween go together. But, this Halloween, let's turn
the "discussion" to webs of another kind -- Discussion Webs! Included
-- Tons of ideas for active discussions across the curriculum and across
the grades!
The World Almanac: A Tool for
Building Study Skills
The World Almanac for Kids is an ideal tool for developing your students'
study skills. And a scavenger hunt for information is a fun way to use
this useful tool!
Meet James Gurney: Dinosaur
Stamp Artist
The story behind the creation of the U.S. Postal Service's new dino
stamps is an ideal tool for building listening and sequencing skills.
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