"Research Scavenger Hunt" Nancy Harrington, Grade 7 Teacher/Dag Hammarskjold M.S.

"This is great for the end of the school year (especially if your media center is air-conditioned and your classroom isn't). Using the research worksheets provided on this site, I had the students work in teams of three to find the necessary information. They could use the Internet, reference books, and other sources, as well. They loved doing it, and it was a great way to keep cool while letting them out of the classroom."

"Making Flags" Terry Silvestri: Kent, Nevada

Materials: Construction paper, writing paper, popsicle stick or flag stick, crayons, markers, glue, pencils.

Ask students to create mini flags for all themes being studied. Then have the students attach their flags to the book. I like to have them make individual flags for each character in the book we are reading at the time. On the back of the flag, I ask them to write an acrostic poem about character. They love it!

"Why Am I?" Jessica: Turns, Iowa

"For years, I had students write plain old biographies for years. There was very little critical thinking involved. They would pick a name and write away.

I devised a new method to make it more fun and challenge students. At the beginning of the project, I give students a picture of the person they will write the biography on. I also include to lesser-known facts about this person.

Students then have to construct a survey and have them administer it to people of different backgrounds, cultures, and academic levels. The survey simply asks, "Who is this person?" Based on their survey results, students compile a list of 5 people they suspect it must be. Students must then present evidence that they know who this person is.

In the second part of the project, they are given two lesser-known facts about their subject. They then must compose a conclusive evidence-based essay revealing the identity of their subject.

I do this project early in the course. Later in the year, I do a follow-up project where students set up the same project for students who will be taking the course next semester. I credit each student for compiling this information and it becomes a real competition."

"C a R d B o A r D Slippers" Adept, Home School Teacher: Australia

-Cut out two long oval pieces of card long enough and wide enough for a child's foot.

-Cut out two rectangles to fold over near the top ends.

-Staple rectangle underneath on one side and again over and under the other side. So the rectangle goes over the oval shape.

-Decorate to suit.

"Postcard Learning" Steve Namisien: Busen, North Dakota

For years, I have been using postcards as a learning tool. In the past I just used them in certain units, but now I use them to introduce just about every social studies unit I do. I found a few Internet postcard exchanges with other classrooms throughout the world as well. This summer I sent about forty different postcards to myself and I even use electronic postcards too.

I have a postcard display in my room and once we receive a postcard, students do research to learn about person who wrote it and their homeland. I always write culture specific words and phrases in the messages that are sent. Students have a great deal of fun uncovering what is being communicated.

I find using postcards to be a vital part to my classroom. I would encourage other teachers to give it a try.