This column provides an updated list of thirty online lesson plan sites. Some are general, some specific, and some are geared toward one age level or another. The sites described cover topics ranging from American History to Physics to Astronomy.

Science classrooms in the United States have become more diverse with respect to the variety of languages spoken by students. This qualitative study used ethnographic methods to investigate the discourse and practices of two ninth grade science classrooms. Approximately 44% of students included in the study were designated as English learners. The…

Blogs are popular, innovative, online platforms for learning. Blogging allows for synthesis of content and helps sustain student engagement in the health education classroom setting. Objectives: Students will define a blog, execute a blog to apply learned health content, and post and respond to other students' health-related blogs. Target…

Teaching students the intelligent behaviors they need to succeed in school and later in life is much easier when you have this collection of stories and observations from teachers who have used the principles of ASCD's book "Learning and Leading with Habits of Mind" in their classrooms. Through these first-hand accounts, learn how the habits of…

In this questions and answer interview with Rachel Dickinson, author of "Great Pioneer Projects You Can Build Yourself", the writer discusses her interest in the American pioneer movement, her research, and her goals in introducing readers to the day-to-day life of an American pioneer. Dickinson's book offers a hands-on look at what life…

This article presents a rationale for using songwriting in the elementary grades and outlines a plan by which a whole class of fifth- or sixth-graders can work together to write a song. (SJL)

Presents two lessons that teach students problem-solving behaviors for the classroom. (SR)

Offers three variations of an activity designed to help teachers turn students on to performance within two weeks. Presents a sample 10-day lesson plan on incorporating drama through storytelling in English classes. (SR)

Presents a unit of lessons in which intermediate grade students improvise fairy tales and learn dramatic techniques. Offers an overview, an implementation schedule with activities, creative activities for fairy tales, and a fairy tales chart. (SR)

Describes two class activities for moving new words into students' productive vocabulary. (RS)

Notes that most English-language haiku are not written in the 5-7-5 syllable format. Discusses the nature of haiku. Describes a three-day lesson plan for teaching haiku. Appends hints for writing haiku, and lists books and Internet sites concerning teaching haiku. (RS)

Everybody accepts that Americans celebrate the independence of the United States on the Fourth of July, in remembrance of that famous date in 1776. In this article, the author features a simple lesson designed for students to check the accuracy of this most basic of American historical facts. During the lesson, the students examine nine pieces of…

Drawing on the skills activities found in a variety of basal readers, this book helps teachers who often struggle to reconcile the mandates of direct instruction on basic skills with the preferences of teachers who prefer to teach using children's literature. The book presents lessons built on a list of skills that students should learn in grades…

Drawing on the skills activities found in a variety of basal readers, this book helps teachers who often struggle to reconcile the mandates of direct instruction on basic skills with the preferences of teachers who prefer to teach using children's literature. It presents lessons built on a list of skills that are usually included in the third-…