Science writer Seymour Simon was born in 1931.

Students select and explore a scientific topic in detail using Simon's nonfiction science books and then use what they learn to write original poetry on the topic.

Grades   3 – 8

The Smithsonian Institution was founded in 1846.

After exploring an exhibit online, students use the information they learned to write "A Day in the Life" narratives that tell about a person, animal, or object they saw in the exhibit.

Grades   1 – 8

Alex Haley, author of Roots, was born in 1921.

Students explore their own roots by interviewing family members and use their family history to write a fictional account of their roots.

Grades   5 – 12

Walter Dean Myers, author of the Printz Award-winning novel Monster, was born in 1937.

Students discuss how the form of a film script affects the story, why the author may have selected this writing style, and write a story using a similar format.

Grades   3 – 12

The first English printer, William Caxton, was born on this day in 1422.

Students consider how the printing press affects their world by completing a printing inventory, comparing lists, and developing a "super" list of all printed materials that they interact with.

Grades   3 – 8

Ernest Thayer, author of the famous poem "Casey at the Bat," was born in 1863.

In small groups or individually, students make baseball cards for the players in the poem "Casey at the Bat." Students can use a word processor or the Character Trading Cards interactive to create their cards.

Grades   3 – 8

In 1870, the U.S. Transcontinental Railroad was completed.

Students access the National Park Service website and look at the webpage "The Last Spikes." Students explore different accounts of what happened as the railroad neared completion and discuss the nature of ceremonies.

Grades   7 – 12