Constitution
Day
America and its educators recognize each September 17 -- the day our Founding Fathers signed the U.S. Constitution
-- as Constitution Day. Education World has scoured our site and the Internet to gather dozens of teaching ideas
to help you recognize this landmark day.
Best of the Icebreakers
Education World has been collecting great icebreaker activities from teachers since 1997. This year, we take a
look back and spotlight some of the best of the more than 150 ideas that teachers have shared. Included: Ten creative,
teacher-tested ideas.
Great End-of-Year Lessons -- Volume #3
You're tired, and you're eager to get through the last few days, but you feel guilty about showing videos or letting
the kids play games. Education World offers five more end-of-year activities that will engage students, and maybe
even include some new learning.
Dinosaurs Sell! An Education World QuickQuest!
Invite your students to learn the reasons for the public's endless fascination with the world's most well-known
prehistoric creatures as they complete Dinosaurs Sell!, an Education World QuickQuest.
Icebreakers: Volume 12
Since 1997, teachers have shared their favorite getting-to-know-their-students ideas. Included: Our latest icebreakers
plus links to 150 more!
Just the Facts: Five Games for Teaching Math Facts
Practice! That's how most students learn their addition facts or times tables. Rote drill is a popular and proven
tool for learning math facts. But it's OK to lighten up and add some fun to math-facts learning. Included: Games
to engage students as they learn their facts.
Math Fun (Volume 3)
Celebrate Math Awareness Month with Education World's third volume of "Math Fun" lessons. These five activities
can be used to reinforce a variety of math skills. Included: Activities that teach critical thinking, math facts
and computation, decimals, more.
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"!
A Puzzle A Day Provides Practice That Pays
Puzzles exercise students' critical thinking skills while providing practice in many curriculum areas. Puzzles
make great "bellringer" activities. Introduce a puzzle a day: A puzzle a day provides practice that pays… Included:
A year of puzzles!
Plan a Pi Day Party for This March 14
Teachers in many classrooms are planning to celebrate P Day this month. Pi - the number 3.14… -- gets its
own special day on 3/14, or March 14. Ed World editors have gathered a collection of links to ideas and activities
around which you can plan your own Pi Party.
Teaching Grammar Without the Hammer: Five Fun Activities
Learning grammar has been compared to other fun things -- like having teeth pulled or being assigned detention.
But it needn't be a painful experience with these five lessons that teach grammar -- without the hammer!
Sink Your Teeth Into These Dental Health Month Lessons
February -- Dental Health Month -- is the time of year when many teachers help students "brush up" on their awareness
of tooth care. This week's lessons capitalize on that once-a-year "teachable moment." Included: Five lessons students
can sink their teeth into.
Electing a President: Lessons for Teaching About the Presidential
Primaries
Candidates are crisscrossing the country in a quest for the votes that will put their name on the presidential
ballot in November. Capitalize on this "teachable moment" with five lessons that teach about the process and engage
students in learning about it.
Some R-E-S-P-E-C-T (Lessons) Just for You!
Aretha and Rodney are always talking about respect; now it's Ed World's turn! If your students lack it
or could stand to learn more about it, we offer five lessons this week to get them talking and thinking about
R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
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.
Celebrate Books: A (Book) Week of Fun!
The calendar might identify November 17-23 as Children's Book Week, but for most teachers -- always on the lookout
for new ideas to promote literacy -- every week is Book Week. Education World offers five new lessons
for a week of reading fun.
A World of Learning: Geography Activities for Geography Week
Geography lessons can make a "world" of difference in students' knowledge of the world and in their test
scores. That's because geography is multidisciplinary by nature. This week's lessons teach geography -- and math,
language, and cultural literacy.
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.
Pick a Pumpkin Activity!
Pumpkins are the ultimate October icons -- the fruit of the month, if you will. (Yes! Pumpkins are a fruit.)
This month, celebrate pumpkins with these across-the-curriculum activities. Included: Art, science, language,
and math activities.
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!
Calculator Lessons from Texas Instruments:
Lessons for teaching math, science, social studies, more. Included:
* Landform Geography
* Tropical Forests: Cleaning the Air?
* Warm Water: A Good Thing?
* The Greenhouse Effect
* How Does Blubber Work?
Fresh Ideas for Opening Day (Toss Out Those Stale Ideas!)
Have you done the same first-day-of-school activities for years? Are you searching for fresh ideas? This week's
five lessons might fill the bill! Included: Students discover their learning strengths, create magnificent works
of art, have fun following directions, more!
That's Entertainment: Music Lessons for Every Grade
Music is in the air! While the beat goes on, can you hear it? As you climb every mountain, do you hear the sound
of music? You don't need to be a music man to make music in the classroom. Included: Five lessons that will have
you singing a happy tune!
Fantastic Field Days!
May is the month when many schools hold their annual field days. So, Ed World's editors decided to jump in with
great activities to make this year's field day the best one ever! Included: Fun activities, relays, and games
that all students can excel in.
Spotlight on Spelling
Each May, the National Spelling Bee is held in Washington, D.C. Since most of your students won't be there, this
week we offer lesson plans to help put them there next year! Included: Five new lesson plans plus links
to many more.
It's About Time: Teaching Students to Tell Time
Telling time is a skill often relegated to when-the-teacher-finds-time status. But it is a skill as real-life
and essential addition. Included: Five fun lessons focused on teaching kids to tell time plus links to
20 more lessons for teaching about time.
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.
Wild and Wonderful Lessons About Endangered Species
This Earth Day, put the diversity of plants and animals to work in lessons that will tame your students' need
to know about endangered species. Included: Five "captivating" lessons that involve research, role-playing, and
real-life creatures.
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.
Five Lessons Teach Students to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Earth Day, first celebrated in 1970, is just around the corner. To celebrate, Education World offers five lessons
to teach about trash and the importance of recycling. Included: A Mother's Day gift idea, recycle games, worms,
scrap paper projects, more!
What is the Most Serious Problem Facing Earth? --
An Education World WebQuest
In this special Earth Day WebQuest, student teams research a critical threat to Earth's environment as they vie
for $1 million in funding from the fictional Help Our World (HOW) Foundation. Included: student work sheets, lots
of Earth Day resources, more.
Reviving Reviews: Refreshing Ideas Students Can't Resist
Is review time a deadly bore for you and your students? Add a little fun to review time and you might be surprised.
Games will spice up reviews, revive interest, and ensure retention! Included: Five activities for use in all subjects,
all grades!
Affordable Art for a Sensational Spring
Celebrate the arrival of spring with art activities that will bring out creativity, not break the bank. You can
find all the ingredients for these sunny lessons in a classroom closet. Included: Five lessons that make everyday
materials into uncommon treasures!
It’s Up for Debate!
Debates are a staple of middle and high school social studies classes. But have you ever thought about using debates
at the lower grades -- or in math class? Education World offers five debate strategies and extra lessons for students
of all ages.
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.
Special Reading Fun for Read Across America Day
Each March, on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, schools celebrate Read Across America Day. This week, Education World recognizes
this special day with five new reading lesson plans plus links to dozens of great reading projects culled
from our archive.
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.
We're In the Money: Lessons for Teaching About Money
Every time we spend a dime -- or a penny or a dollar -- we see the face of one of our presidents! What better
time than Presidents Day can there be to teach kids about money? Included: Five hands-on lessons. Hold a "money
bee,” make predictions, learn about inflation/the cost of goods over time, more.
Five Lessons in Black History
Primary source materials teach about Rosa Parks, school integration, and the growth of the African-American population
throughout history. Plus: Students create a database/timeline and write a rap about a famous figure in Black History.
More!
Lewis and Clark: The Journey West
In 1803, Meriwether Lewis was selected to lead an expedition that would map a water route from the Mississippi
River to the Pacific Ocean. Included: Classroom lessons to help you celebrate the 200th anniversary of this historic
journey.
Winter Wonderland -- Lessons for Frosty Days!
Though the weather outside is frightful, wintry lessons are delightful! Whether the topic is snow, cold, or other
icy treats, winter is a frosty focus that will motivate and entertain your class. Bundle up and brace for wild,
windy, weather outside while showing your students the best of winter activities indoors! Included: Five lessons
that make winter a winning subject!
Teaching @ Tolerance
Martin Luther King dreamed of a world more tolerant that the one he lived in. This week's lessons are designed
to teach kids about King's dream of tolerance. Included: Lessons on stereotyping, appreciating differences, recognizing
how words can hurt (or heal), and more!
Math Fun! (Volume 2)
Math class doesn't have to be stay-in-your-seat quiet. Kids will love practicing their computation skills with
these six activities -- in which the emphasis is on the "active.” Activities include dice, playing cards, candy,
cameras, and more!
Better Book Reports: 25 More Ideas!
Tired of the same old book report formats? This week, Education World presents a sequel to its popular "Better
Book Reports -- 25 Ideas!” article. Are you ready for 25 more practical book report ideas?
By the Book -- Activities for Book Week!
"A book is like a garden carried in the pocket" -- but getting kids to crack open books is often no walk in the
park! During this year's observance of Children's Book Week, share the wonder and magic of books. Included: Five
language arts lessons you'll want to "bookmark"!
Map Lessons: The Route to Improved Geography Skills
Celebrate National Geography Awareness Week with five lessons that employ maps to teach geography and a wide variety
of other subjects and skills. Included: Lessons to teach K-12 students about landforms, the global economy, maps
from space, more!
Five Technology Lessons Every Teacher Can Teach!
Have you been hesitating to introduce technology into your classroom because you think your tech-savvy students
know so much more than you do? Today's the day to conquer that fear with some easy lessons that even a newbie
can teach -- and learn from! Included: Five lessons for teaching -- and learning -- about using technology in
the classroom.
Make Classroom Connections to This Year's Elections
Use these five activities to drive home the importance of voting, teach about the process of creating laws, track
election results and voter turnout, and teach students what its like to make the tough decisions that elected
officials make every day. Plus links to a dozen more election lesson plans!
Spice Up Your Spelling Lessons
Are you looking for ways to spice up boring old spelling routines? This week, Education World offers five activities
to help you do just that!
Better Letters: Lesson Plans for Teaching Letter Writing
Is letter writing a lost art? This week Education World provides five new lessons to revive student interest in
writing friendly letters. These letter-writing lessons are sure to get your stamp of approval!
Fall Lessons? We've "G-autumn"!
Children are in school, leaves are crunching under your feet, and the distant cheers of enthusiastic football
fans can be heard on Friday night -- can fall be far away? Although you may not be ready bid farewell to summer,
Mother Nature has another plan! Prepare your students and yourself for the change of season with creative lessons
that share an autumn theme.
Once Upon a Time
Fables, fairy tales, folktales, legends, myths, and tall tales -- six literary genres that engage student interest
-- can be used in the classroom to inspire creative thinking and writing. This week, Education World offers five
lessons to introduce students to the literary genres -- and to their own imagination!
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.
Mystery State Game Tests Students' Knowledge of 50 States
Which state is the "Badger State"? Which states were independent nations before becoming states? Where would you
find the most crayfish? The Mystery State quiz will help your students learn about the 50 states as it improves
their research skills. Give them one set of clues a week, or one clue a day, and see who is first to figure out
the Mystery State!
Remembering September 11
Education World offers five new lessons to help teachers commemorate the first anniversary of the September 11,
2001, attack on the United States. Those lessons will keep alive the spirit of patriotism and tolerance stimulated
by the events of 9/11.
Bring Ancient History to Life!
The civilizations of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome are among the most engaging of teaching themes. This week,
Education World presents five lessons for teaching about those ancient cultures. The lessons challenge students
to use and translate hieroglyphics, solve math problems using Roman numerals, learn about gods and goddesses,
explore the society of ancient Egypt, and draw like an Egyptian.
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.
Icebreakers: Volume 8
Are you still looking for the perfect activity to help you get to know your students -- and to help them get to
know one another? Take a look at these icebreaker activities contributed by teachers from around the globe!
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!
Phone Book Math
Did the phone company just deliver new phone books to your door? Don't throw out the old ones -- ask students
to bring them to school. Those old phone books offer opportunities for lots of valuable math practice; they're
a great teaching tool!
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