Central American History Lesson Plans

Young scholars conduct research on artifacts from the ancient civilizations of the Mayas, the Aztecs, or the Incas using both print and non-print resources. They create two-dimensional or three-dimensional representations of their artifacts and present their artifact to the remainder of the class without sharing its identity. Classmates play "20 Questions" in order to identify each others artifacts.

Students examine a world map and read a news article about the discovery of a giant frog fossil. In this earth science and current event instructional activity, the teacher introduces an article with a discussion about continental drift and a vocabulary activity, then students read the news report and participate in a discussion about Pangaea. Lesson includes interdisciplinary follow-up activities.

This instructional activity will help students learn more about current immigrant experience, nvestigate U.S. immigration and labor laws, consider the meaning of citizenship, gain knowledge about the economics of poverty, practice research skills and practice persuasive

In American society students need to know how to observe the law and defend their rights. "Once someone knows you know your legal rights, he or she is usually quick to try to work something out" (Alderman xvi). However, in order to defend their rights, students, especially ESL students, must hone their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. This unit will have a cross-curricular focus that will develop these language skills

Fourth graders trace the emergence and development of culture in Utah. They study the contributions of the American Indian culture on the development of Utah. They create their own rock art by using signs and images that show something meaningful in their life.

This activity will help students examine their preconceptions and assumptions about racial categories and understand the impossibility of constructing a consistent system of human racial classification.

High school learners view a video clip about how taking a journey can change a person's outlook on life. They write a paragraph about a place that uses imagery and tone to create a specfic effect. They evaluate their journal entries as well.

Students view a film about environmental issues. They discover how environmental degradation can lead to disease. They identify the relationship between population growth and the environment.

Students examine a partnership between the government of Honduras and the National Geographic Society to highlight the concept of geotourism and its benefits. They study the opportunities for geotourism available in Honduras.

Students make estimates on how many people they believe live on Earth. While watching a video, they take notes on the issues facing Kenya, Japan and India. In groups, they calculate how long it takes for a country to double in size. To end the lesson, they discuss the challenges countries face with increasing populations.