Author Laura Joffe Numeroff was born in 1953.

Using one of Numeroff's books as a model, students use the circle plot structure as a culminating project for a unit of study completed in the classroom.

Grades   K – 5

African American journalist Ida B. Wells was born in 1862.

Students brainstorm a list of human rights issues, research their group's issue in depth, examine the way journalists cover a story, and create articles for a classroom newspaper.

Grades   7 – 12

On the Road author Jack Kerouac embarked on his first cross-country road trip in 1947.

Students read a section from On the Road that deals with cross-country travel and reflects Kerouac's unique writing style. Students then attempt to write a narrative using Kerouac's stream-of-consciousness style.

Grades   9 – 12

Celebrate Mandela Day today.

After reading Kadir Nelson's Nelson Mandela, students explore the Mandela Day website before using an online tool to start working on a service project of their own.

Grades   4 – 12

Children's publisher John Newbery was born in 1713.

Each student chooses a book that is special and writes a short story about why it deserves special mention. Students can plan the pages of their own stories and then make a Stapleless Book or use the ReadWriteThink Printing Press.

Grades   3 – 8

In 1969, the first human walked on the moon.

As a class, students discuss Neil Armstrong's famous quote when he landed on the moon and explore the difference that one word can make, as well as the gendered language that Armstrong uses.

Grades   9 – 12