Teacher-to-Teacher Lessons
Each Teacher's Editions from Junior Scholastic comes with a lesson plan for that issue written by a teacher like you. Use these collegial suggestions to make the most out of your subscription to JS.
"Food for Thought"
Visual Literacy
We live in a nation that invented fast-food, warehouse-style supermarkets, and many other modern conveniences. But in other places around the world, the preparation of a meal evokes ancient times. This issue’s cover story will help your students look at food in a new light. In a compelling photo-essay format, we explore what families around the world eat in a typical week. (JS contributor Karen Kellaher wrote this lesson plan.)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Celebrate 21st-Century Style"
Problem-solving, Collaboration, Innovation
As you’ll read in this issue’s JS Spotlight article, teens and 20-somethings are at the forefront of today’s environmental movement. They are using problem-solving, collaboration, innovation, and other 21st-century skills to make a real difference. Let their efforts inspire your students to explore the environment and hone a few 21st-century skills of their own. This lesson plan was created by JS contributor Karen Kellaher.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Lindbergh Does It!"
Using Primary Sources
For history buffs, few things are as exciting as primary sources. These “raw materials of history,” as they’re described by the Library of Congress, retain the flavor of the period in which they were drafted and often provide stirring details that only an eyewitness to history could know. After reading this issue’s American history play about Charles Lindbergh, explore a compelling primary source about his most famous flight. (This lesson was prepared by JS contributor Karen Kellaher.)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"The New Face of America"
Exploring Essential Issues
As this issue’s cover story (pp. 6-8) reports, a growing number of Americans describe themselves as multiracial or multiethnic—and emphatically eschew the traditional color lines that have long divided our nation. Pair the article with the lesson plan below to explore compelling issues about race and identity and to foster collaborative learning—an important 21st-century skill. This lesson was prepared for JS by contributor Karen Kellaher.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"A Hero's Call to Action"
Analyzing Quotations
In this issue’s American History Play (pp. 16-19), your students will meet Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American Justice of the Supreme Court and a lifelong advocate for civil rights. Marshall never hesitated to speak his mind. In this lesson plan, use some of his most famous quotations to spark discussion—and prompt students to take their own stands. (JS contributor Karen Kellaher prepared this lesson.)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"The U.S. Constitution"
Understanding Amendments
The Framers of the U.S. Constitution knew that the document they were crafting would have to change with the times. That’s why they spelled out a process by which Amendments could be made. Use the lesson below to help students explore how Amendments are made. JS contributor Karen Kellaher wrote this lesson.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Gathering Data"
Student Snapshot
When one knows how to interpret them, the charts and graphs in the “Snapshots” section of the U.S. Affairs Annual 2011 paint a picture of “typical” life in the U.S. In the lesson below, guide students in reading and interpreting these infographics. Then help them make a “snapshot” of their own school community by having them survey peers, then graph the data they uncover.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Destination: Canada"
Web Quest
Let this issue’s article and map spotlighting Canada (pp. 10-15) inspire your students to embark on an online field trip! Use this lesson plan to lead your class on a Web Quest exploring our neighbor to the north. At stops along the way, students will learn fascinating facts about Canada’s government, people, places, and wildlife. This lesson was written for JS by contributor Karen Kellaher.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Putting the Brakes on Bullying"
Expert Advice
How can teachers of young teens help curb bullying and create a classroom culture of respect, safety, and dignity? Rosalind Wiseman, an author and educator who helps teachers, parents, and teens successfully navigate the social challenges of young adulthood, offers the following do’s and don’ts for teachers.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Find Facts Fast"
Information Literacy
Junior Scholastic’s World Affairs Annual 2011 is chock-full of important facts and statistics about countries around the globe. Use the lesson below to help students find facts in a flash—and to apply that information to real-life situations. This lesson was written for JS by Karen Kellaher, a substitute teacher in Warren County, New Jersey, and a former Scholastic editor.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Words in Clay"
Ancient Mesopotamia
Today, readers and writers are accustomed to crisp paper and computer screens, but this issue’s World History feature (“The Cradle of Civilization”) reminds us that written language began with etchings in clay. Use the lesson below to explore the development of cuneiform writing in Mesopotamia—and to think critically about the advantages that the written word offers. JS contributor Karen Kellaher prepared this lesson.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Postcards From Africa"
The Five Themes of Geography
This year marks the 50th anniversary of independence for 17 African nations—a perfect time to explore all of the continent’s 53 diverse countries. In this lesson, students will create postcards for individual African nations, focusing on the five themes of geography: location, place, human-environment interaction, movement, and regions.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Exploring Content-Area Vocabulary"
Words to Know
Have you heard the word? Junior Scholastic’s Words to Know feature is back by
popular demand. Words to Know are key social studies terms that middle-school
students should understand and use. Students will encounter several words
in each issue, for a total of 102 by the end of the school year. Use the ideas below to
make the most of this feature and boost your students’ content-area vocabulary.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Commander in Chief"
Understanding the Executive Branch
In “You’re Fired!” (pp. 14-17), your students relive one of the most famous decisions ever made by an American Commander in Chief—President Harry S. Truman firing General Douglas MacArthur at the height of the Korean War. Use the lesson below to explore the constitutional basis for Truman’s decision and to observe how other Presidents have handled the demanding role of Commander in Chief.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"What Is Health Insurance?"
Everyday Economics
Opinions abound on the new health-care reform law. (See “Good for What Ails You?” on pp. 4-5.) Use this lesson plan to help students understand what health insurance is—and why it is at the heart of such a polarizing debate.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Extreme Australia"
Figurative Language
This issue’s Hot Topic article (pp. 8-11) uses simile, metaphor, and personification to describe the impact of climate change on Australia’s weather. Use this lessonplan by Karen Kellaher to explore how these literary devices support the article’s message and make the topic come alive for readers.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Westward, Ho!"
Persuasive Writing
When George Donner posted an ad looking for a few brave pioneers willing to join him on his fateful journey west, he employed several tried-and-true persuasive techniques. In this lesson, use the text of Donner’s actual 1846 newspaper ad to explore the art of persuasion. Then challenge your students to take on a related persuasive-writing task. JS contributor Karen Kellaher prepared this lesson
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"The Iditarod"
Bloom's Taxonomy
Use the higher-order thinking activities below to explore Alaska’s famous sled-dog race in a new and thoughtful way. As the dogs and mushers speed toward Nome, your students will race toward critical learning, with “checkpoints” for knowledge/comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Persuasive Writing"
Create a News Blog
This edition of Junior Scholastic raises compelling questions about topics in the news. Use the lesson below to give students a voice! By sharing opinions on a classroom blog, students will hone persuasive writing skills and get authentic publishing experience. This lesson plan was inspired by Jill Incalcaterra, instructional technology facilitator for Frelinghuysen Township (NJ) School, and written by Karen Kellaher, a former Scholastic editor.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Web Hunt"
The Winter Olympics
While athletes prepare to compete for medals in Vancouver (see “Going for Gold,” pp. 6-7), your students can engage in an Olympic quest of their own. This Internet scavenger hunt will help them hone online-research skills while learning about past and present Olympic Games. This lesson was written for JS by Karen Kellaher, a substitute teacher in Warren County, New Jersey, and former Scholastic editor.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Be the Editor!"
Top News of 2009
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"The U.S. Census"
Understanding Historical Context
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"George Washington, at the Source"
Developing Professionally
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"The Nez Perce"
Exploring Folklore
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Passport: Earth"
Using an Index
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Amelia Earhart"
Creating a Chronology
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"The Newest Justice"
Making Complex Decisions
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Dorothea Lange: Eye on America"
Visual Literacy
This issue’s American history play (pp. 18-21) focuses on Dorothea Lange, whose poignant photographs captured bleak moments in U.S. history in a way that words could not. Use this lesson plan to help students “read” Lange’s photos and develop visual-literacy skills. This lesson was written for JS by Karen Kellaher, a substitute teacher in Warren County, New Jersey, and former Scholastic editor.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Growing Up Adopted"
Organizing Information
Between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2008, a total of 17,438 children joined families in the United States through international adoption. Read “Growing Up Adopted” (pp. 6-7; April 27, 2009) to learn about the challenges and rewards that adopted families face. Then use this lesson plan.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Seeing the Big Picture"
Putting News in Context
Teacher Andrew Ragan calls articles such as “Saving Africa’s Gorillas” (pp. 6-7) “kid magnets.” Students zero in on them because of their subject matter, the images, and the dilemma—in this case, animals, extinction, and habitat destruction. He uses students’ heightened interest in such topics to generate lively class discussions, fun activities, and student action.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Can't We Get Along?"
Making Connections
Teacher to Teacher contributor Andrew Liss and his students are supporters of Kiva, a nonprofit microfinance organization that connects people in need with donors willing to help them succeed as entrepreneurs. For Liss and his students, that involvement brought the events following Kenya’s 2007 election close to home
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Eleanor Roosevelt’s 'My Day' and Students' 'My Blog'"
Exploring Personal Voices
There are many ways teachers can use this issue’s American history feature (pp. 19-21) in the classroom. This suggested lesson plan comes from Lisa Arce, who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade students at Selden Middle School in Centereach, New York, and is a contributing editor to Junior Scholastic.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"'A State of Nature' and the Purpose of Government"
Role-playing
This role-playing exercise was contributed by Lori Sherman. Sherman teaches American history, current events, geography, and reading/language arts to sixth-graders at Ute Meadows Elementary School in Littleton, Colorado.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Get to Know Andrew Jackson"
Honing Research Skills
This lesson plan, created by teacher Andrew Ragan, is to be used with this issue's American History Play, "Muddy Boots" (pp. 9-11). Ragan has been a reader of Junior Scholastic (1971-1973), a JS intern (1980), an associate editor and staff writer (1981-1983), and a freelance contributor (1984-present). Since 2001, he has used JS to help teach the history of the Western Hemisphere and the United States to seventh- and eighth-graders at Allendale Columbia School in Rochester, New York.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Top U.S. News Stories of 2008"
Reading Comprehension and Analysis
There are many ways teachers can use the January 5, 2009 issue’s top-news feature in the classroom. This suggested lesson plan comes from Lisa Arce, who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade students at Selden Middle School in Centereach, New York.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"World Hunger and Food Aid"
Organizing a Group Effort
This lesson plan relates to the world hunger article and map in this issue (pp. 6-9). It is by Andrew Liss, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Edison, New Jersey. Note: If you would like to contribute a lesson plan related to one of the upcoming JS features (see our updated planning guide at scholastic.com/juniorscholastic), please e-mail a brief summary of what it would entail to junior@scholastic.com.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"China's Move Forward"
Debating an Issue
This issue’s lesson plan calls on students to incorporate what they learn by reading “China Rising?” (pp. 8-10) with their broader knowledge of political and social systems. It also encourages students to think beyond their own points of view. The author of this lesson plan is Sharan Gwynn, a social-studies instructor and department chair at Georgetown Middle School in Georgetown, Kentucky. A 32-year classroom veteran, Gwynn has taught sixth-grade social studies (world cultures and geography) and seventh-grade social studies (ancient civilizations). She also teaches one math class.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Taking Part in the Process"
The Right to Vote
As far as the Constitution’s Framers were concerned, voting was a responsibility as well as a precious right. The exercises below will help students realize that voting rights are not a given—they have been hard-won. It also lets them encourage their elders to participate in the process. This lesson plan was created by Karen Kellaher, a substitute teacher in Warren County, New Jersey. Kellaher, a former Scholastic editor, has published more than 15 books for students and teachers.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
"Bringing History to Life"
Hold an Inaugural Ball
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
