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Lesson Plans

Dear Educators

As schools reopen across the country, we and our partners hope that YMI's free classroom and home-based educational resources help you create a dynamic learning experience for your students.

About YMI

Helping Educators Inspire Young Minds

Lesson Plans

YMI's educational outreach programs tap into popular culture to create a dynamic learning experience. Browse by subject through our library of free study guides and online resources, to find standards-based lesson plans for your grade level and programs for learners outside the classroom.

Educator Resources

A list of links to sites offering help and other resources for teachers.

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Unknown. Unexplained. Unbelievable. Until now. Prehistoric Planet is an epic five-part event on Apple TV+ that takes viewers back 66 million years to when majestic dinosaurs and other extraordinary creatures …

1-2 and 3-6

Join the Peanuts gang and embrace the messages of positivity and caring for ourselves, for each other, and for the Earth. Inspire students with these engaging activities that can be …

Elementary (K-6)

Meet Ben Ripley, a brilliant — although not-so-coordinated — twelve-year-old who is recruited as a junior secret operative for the CIA! Like Ben, your students can go on their own …

Grades 4-6

Let your middle schoolers explore climate change with IMAX presents The Last Glaciers. Traveling across several countries over four years, Filmmaker Craig Leeson highlights the impact of human activity and …

Middle School (Grades 6-8)

Superheroes, archnemeses, secrets, and castles, along with funny moments, hope, and “the Frets” (anxiety) are all part of Portico Reeves’ life — a life your students might relate to. Jason …

Grades 4-6

Help support your students’ language skills and social-emotional learning with two programs from got milk? For K-2, the “Never Doubt What You Love” program uses problem solving and team building …

K-2, 3-8

Help keep students safe on the roads with Drive2Life! Road safety isn’t just driver safety. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and e-scooter riders all use the road, too. And they all need to …

Grades 6-12

Research shows that children begin to self-medicate at around age 11 — in fifth and sixth grades. This free multi-media educational program is designed to teach students and their families …

Grades 5-6, 7-8

Raise awareness about the dangers of opioids to help your students make informed choices if they are in a situation involving these drugs. Connecting the opioid crisis to students’ lives …

Grades 6-12

Explore, learn, and dream with Snoopy as he soars into space! You and your students can join Snoopy as he prepares for his new role as the official Zero Gravity …

Elementary (K-2, 3-6)

Help your students become active citizens in their community and empower them to make changes they’re passionate about with We the People. The series of ten short, animated music videos …

Middle School (grades 6-8)

Americans love popcorn! In fact, we consume about 15 billion quarts annually. Not only does popcorn taste great, but it’s also a whole-grain food that is low in fat and …

4-8

“You can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.” With this powerful message, R.J. Palacio’s award-winning book, Wonder, has captured the hearts of kids and adults in schools …

Grades 4-6

At school, at home, and in their communities, students are increasingly aware of the importance of caring for the environment and the effects of climate change. But they may not …

Grades 2-4

Inspired by the film Dear Evan Hansen, this teaching kit invites high school students to explore the film’s themes, including concepts of identity, empathy, inclusivity, communication, support, and hope. The …

Ages 14-17

Take your students on an adventure they’ll never forget with The Addams Family. In their latest movie, the unique family takes a road trip that turns into unforgettable lessons on …

3-5

Bring teamwork and fun into your classrooms with activities from TRANSFORMERS and POWER RANGERS. With the help of TRANSFORMERS, your students will journey to Cybertron and back with hands-on lessons …

1-3

Panic takes place in the small town of Carp during the summer after high school graduation. Each year there is a deadly competition among graduates desperate to win their way …

High School (Grades 10-12)

Help your students celebrate Earth Day on April 22 in an exciting new way! Based on the environmental messages in Dr. Seuss’s timeless book, The Lorax, the activities in Earth Day …

3-5

Join Snoopy as he celebrates the landing of NASA’s rover Perseverance and its mission to find signs of ancient life on Mars. Students will learn why scientists study Mars, how …

Elementary (K-6)

WOLFWALKERS is an award-winning animated film that tells the story of two girls, one the daughter of a wolf hunter, the other part of a woodland tribe with the magic …

3-6

Prepare your students for safe adventures online with Into the Cloud, the new NetSmartz® web-series that takes kids on an exciting journey across the internet to learn about online safety …

K-12

Usher in Spring by helping students create new beginnings and opportunities to make healthy choices for the mind, body, and spirit! Use these fun activities to help students build resilience …

Elementary K-2, 3-5

Promote positivity in your classroom by motivating students to focus on what’s good in their lives. Inspired by Glass Half Full News — an online news series with a freshly …

Elementary K-2, 3-5

The Wilds, a new series on Amazon Prime Video, explores the lives of eight high-school students from different backgrounds who are stranded on a deserted island and face a test …

High School (Grades 10-12)

Join Snoopy — a seasoned space traveler — in celebrating the 20th anniversary of humans living on the International Space Station! Students will learn about the history of the space …

Elementary (K-6)

Explore space and the North and South Poles with activities that complement themes from two books in The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library, an exciting nonfiction series that introduces …

Elementary (Grades 1-4)

Ever wonder what makes you, YOU? In Pixar Animation Studio’s all-new feature film Soul, Joe, a middle school band teacher, explores the answer to this question. Encourage your students to …

Grades 3-5

One out of five kids ages 12 to 18 has been bullied.* To help change this statistic, Pilot Pen launched the Erase Bullying for Good campaign in 2015. As part …

Middle School (6-8)

Take your students on a magical creative writing quest with an exciting free program inspired by Disney & Pixar’s Onward. The activities, inspired by the 24-hour magical, madcap quest of …

Elementary & Middle (5-8)

Take your students on a creative writing adventure with this free program inspired by The Call of the Wild, a new film from 20th Century Studios. The film brings to …

Middle School and High School

Get ready to celebrate! On March 2, 2021, teachers and students are invited to participate in Hats Off to Reading, the nation’s biggest, week-long reading celebration to honor the inspiration …

Elementary (K–3)

Take your students on an exciting science fiction writing adventure as they join the Robinson family in Lost in Space. Season 1 is streaming now on Netflix and Season 2 …

Middle School (6-8)

Let the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters and Heelys help your students build a classroom culture that will support their goals and dreams throughout the new school year. Students celebrate their differences …

Elementary (1-6)

Add a magical note to your ELA curriculum with familiar favorites, Jack and Annie, from the Magic Tree House series. These activities introduce students to two Magic Tree House Merlin …

Elementary (2-4)

The Samuel Project is a powerful story about one teen’s discovery of the heroism in his own past when he chooses his grandfather as the subject of his senior art …

Middle School & High School

Help your students keep reading all summer long with 15 Pages A Day, a reading challenge designed to help readers of all ages reconnect with the pleasures of printed books. …

Elementary & Middle (K-8)

Inspire your students’ creativity with DreamWorks Trollhunters, the award-winning animated adventure series created by acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. Students strengthen their storytelling skills with standards-based lessons on character, setting, …

Elementary (3-5)

Let the Peanuts gang help you kick off the new school year with fun language arts activities designed to help your students develop a positive mindset and strong goal-setting skills. …

Elementary & Middle (3-8)

Let the DC Super Hero Girls start your school year with a learning adventure that builds self-esteem, supportive friendships, and teamwork skills. Inspired by the budding Super Heroes at Super …

Elementary (1-4)

Get set to bring the spirit of the 60’s back to life in your classroom when Hairspray LIVE! kicks off the holiday season in an all-new LIVE production on Wednesday, …

Middle & High School

Celebrate the 60th anniversary of the I Can Read! early reader program with these standards-based language arts activities featuring some of your students’ favorite I Can Read! characters — The …

Elementary (K-1)

Introduce your students to Lock and Key: The Initiation, the first book in a new mystery trilogy by Ridley Pearson, and Frazzled, Booki Vivat’s quirky tale about surviving middle school, …

Middle School

Introduce your students to Warriors #1: Into the Wild, the first book in bestselling author Erin Hunter’s action-adventure series Warriors, a perennial favorite of pre-teen boys and girls. Warriors #1: …

Elementary (3-5)

Update your reading list with Stick Dog, a middle grade favorite, and Wing & Claw: Forest of Wonders, the first book in a new series by Newbery Award-winning author Linda …

Elementary (3-5)

Teach your students how to share the gift of words with these activities that guide them through the process of creating and mailing their own greeting cards. Students learn about …

Elementary (3-4)

Take action to reverse the rising use of e-cigarettes among tweens and teens with lesson plans that provide students with facts about the health dangers of all nicotine and tobacco …

Middle School

Channel your students’ enthusiasm for The Divergent Series with these standards-based language arts activities based on the novels behind the films. Students explore character development across the complete Divergent Series, …

Middle School

Teach your students how they can have a positive impact on the environment by recycling the cartons they use at school every day. Standards-based activity sheets for grades 1-3 and …

Elementary (1-5)

Take your students on a once-in-a-lifetime learning adventure when The Wiz LIVE! kicks off the holiday season on Thursday, December 3rd at 8/7c on NBC. Use this study guide to …

Elementary & Secondary

Start the school year off right with standards-based language arts lessons based on the big-screen adventures awaiting your students when the beloved Peanuts characters appear in 3D CGI at theaters …

K-12

Start the school year with these standards-based activities that provide a fun way for students to get to know each other, promote teamwork, and help strengthen language arts skills. The …

Elementary (3-5)

Celebrate the end of the school year with the FUN-raising excitement of Red Nose Day, the all-new, laugh-packed, star-studded, three-hour live television event airing Thursday, May 21 at 8/7c on …

Elementary (K-6)

Let the Peanuts gang help build your students’ language arts, science, and math skills with new bilingual (English and French) learning activities that celebrate the start of spring and baseball …

Elementary (K-3)

Get ready to welcome the lovable children’s film and book character, Paddington Bear, into your classroom with these unique language arts and visual literacy learning activities based on the April …

Elementary (K-3)

Get set to see your students’ imaginations soar as Peter Pan LIVE! flies into living rooms across the country in an all-new LIVE production of the magical Broadway musical, Thursday, …

Elementary & Secondary

Help bring life-saving vaccines to children around the world with the Shot@Life civics engagement curriculum. Students become informed citizens by exploring the need for childhood vaccination programs in developing countries, …

Middle School

Explore four exciting new middle-grade titles from HarperCollins Children’s Books with this standards-based language arts program. Includes skills-building lessons on characterization, plot, setting, theme, and critical judgment that will generate …

Elementary & Middle School

Introduce your students to Paddington, one of the most beloved children’s book characters, with this reading skills program based on the Paddington movie. Students learn about characterization and story structure, …

Elementary (K-3)

Start inspiring imaginations in your classroom with these standards-based PLAY-DOH activities that combine verbal, aural, visual, tactile, and social learning to build foundational skills across the curriculum. Click the images …

Preschool & Grades PreK-2

Empower your students to conserve energy as they conduct an in-class energy use assessment, research the impact of different energy sources, and create an energy conservation awareness campaign, which could …

Middle School

Let the epic film NOAH inspire your students to revisit this Biblical story of courage, sacrifice, and hope, when it comes to theaters on March 28, 2014. Use this study …

Middle & High School (8-12)

Get your students excited about learning with Ken Jennings’ Junior Genius Guides, a new series of kid-friendly, informative books that fit right into your lesson plans for language arts, social …

Elementary (3-5)

Use this study guide for the newest film adaptation of ROMEO & JULIET to enrich your students’ engagement with Shakespeare’s most cherished love story. Includes learning activities that guide students …

High School & College

Be part of a once-in-a-lifetime television experience when NBC broadcasts a spectacular live performance of The Sound of Music on Thursday, December 5, at 8pm (7pm CT). The study guide …

Elementary (Grades 1-6)

Turn your students’ enthusiasm for NFL Football into standards-based learning with lessons based on the TV series NFL Rush Zone: Guardians Unleashed. Students use map reading and research skills to …

Elementary (3-5)

Make The Hobbit part of your English Language Arts class plans with this study guide to the complete novel, with activities exploring character, setting, and plot that tie-in with the …

Middle & High School

Introduce your students to Survivors #1: The Empty City, the first book in a new middle grade series from bestselling author Erin Hunter that chronicles the adventures of a group …

Elementary (3-5)

The quest continues with Seven Wonders Book 2: Lost in Babylon, the second installment in the bestselling adventure series from award-winning author Peter Lerangis. Introduce your students to Jack McKinley …

Elementary (4-6)

Is Earth an alien planet? Let your students decide when they blast off with these fun learning activities based on the 3D animated family film, Escape from Planet Earth. Reinforce …

Elementary (2-5)

Travel the globe in search of clues to a mysterious treasure with this study guide to the hit film The Adventures of Tintin, from Academy Award®-winners Steven Spielberg and Peter …

Elementary (5-8)

Was Shakespeare a fraud? Weigh the evidence on both sides of the authorship debate with this study guide to the film Anonymous. Students examine what we know about Shakespeare’s life …

High School & College

Toon-up your students’ critical thinking and creative writing skills as they follow their fairy tale favorites from the film Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil. As agents in training, they learn …

Elementary (K-6)

Take a closer look at leadership and the courage required to face one’s fears with this study guide based on the PG-13 version of the Academy Award®-winning film The King’s …

High School

Explore the evolution of folklore, the power of myth, and the storyteller’s art with this study guide inspired by the film Red Riding Hood. Students trace the history of this …

High School

Join two unlikely friends (who happen to be wolves) on an adventure-filled trek across the great Northwest with this study guide to the film Alpha and Omega. Students map the …

Elementary (1-4)

Let the zany animal stars of The Twisted Whiskers Show teach your students that writing can be fun — when you add a creative twist! Students fill in the blanks …

Elementary (1-3)

Build friendships and boost fitness with this summer activity guide to the Rob Reiner film Flipped, based on the acclaimed novel by Wendelin Van Draanen. Kids create and exchange personal …

Summer Programs (Age 10-14)

Build teamwork with activities based on the unlikely alliance behind the hit film, Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore. Kids debate which makes the better pet, learn some …

Summer Programs (Age 5-10)

Enrich discussion of a contemporary classic with these study guides to Peter Jackson’s film, The Lovely Bones, based on the novel by Alice Sebold. The high school program examines how …

High School & Public Libraries

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