Curated OER
Debt: Who Does it Affect?
Debt is a topic that affects everybody: the community, the nation, and the entire globe. Kids take charge of debt by designing a project that informs those in their community about good financial choices, keeps personal debt low, and...
Curated OER
Minority Graduation Rates: A 50-50 Chance
Pupils read the Civil Rights Project report. Students collect data from graduation rates in their school/district or city. Pupils compare state and local data. Students discuss and analyze minority graduation rates. Pupils compare local...
Curated OER
Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Natural Dyes
Second graders explore the work of Americans when it came to coloring materials. In this interdisciplinary lesson, 2nd graders follow the provided steps to make natural goldenrod dye from scratch.
Curated OER
Citizenship City
Students design labels promoting civic responsibility to distribute to the community. In this civics lesson, students engage in a simulated reunion and discuss their future careers and research various community organizations and...
PBS
The Big Picture-Economic Security in the Country and your Community
High schoolers explore economic security at the local and national level during the time period preceding the 2008 presidential election. They fill out surveys on their thoughts and concerns regarding the US economy, and watch a video...
Curated OER
Turning the Century
Students examine the Gilded Age. In this Gilded Age lesson, students create a museum of their own showing what life was like in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Students investigate immigration, settlement and how these...
Curated OER
Preparation and Community
Students explore community crisis and how to work together to improve a community. In this community stability lesson ,students explore how communities work together to solve problems and provide security. Students research news reports...
Curated OER
Let Freedom Ring
Students go to the computer lab to engage in this thoughtful lesson on our national symbols. Students access the internet, and solve an on-line puzzle of a national symbol of freedom. The symbols are the Eagle, The Statue of Liberty, The...
National Park Service
Civil War to Civil Rights: From Pea Ridge to Central High
Explore how the Civil War impacted the Civil Rights Movement. Class members complete a series of projects for a unit that uses a layered curriculum approach to learning.
Curated OER
Running for Public Office
Students engage in the election process. In this public office lesson, students review the election and campaign process then design a campaign for their own selected office election using provided guidelines and links.
Curated OER
Water Resources and the Role of the Independent Sector
Students explore how water conservation is influenced by the four sectors of economy. In this social studies economics lesson, students brainstorm problems and solutions related to water conservation. Collages are created to represent...
Curated OER
Water Pollution Hot-Spots
Students complete internet research in small groups to identify types of water pollution, spotlight water pollution hot-spots, and design a plan for water prevention.
Curated OER
Climate Change
Young scholars examine current school energy use and focus on energy saving measures that could be implemented. In this energy instructional activity, students are also encouraged to raise awareness of energy saving practices and...
Curated OER
Democracy: Participating in the Process
Students research all of the candidates running in an upcoming election. They interview them if possible and state their platforms. They organize a forum for the candidates to come and speak at their school.
Curated OER
San Ignacio Lagoon: Economy or Ecology
Students debate over the development in the habitat of gray whales. In this role playing lesson, students will take on various roles in a debate over the development of a salt production facility in the San Ignacio Lagoon concerning the...
Curated OER
Good Citizen Posters
Third graders create a poster documenting the responsibilities of a good citizen. During group discussion, they develop a list of ways in which they can participate as responsible citizens in their society. Students use their list to...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Understanding the Salem Witch Trials
Middle schoolers describe some of the important elements of life in Puritan New England. They create a timeline of the events of the Salem Witch Trials. They work in groups to explore the concept of multiple interpretations of history.
Curated OER
Buildings Tell A Story
Fourth graders identify basic architectural features of buildings in their community and identify the changes in local buildings. They draw a sketch of a local building from memory. They compare and display student sketches.
Curated OER
Engineering in a Calculus Classroom
Students solve several differential equations. In this calculus lesson, students test their modulus calculation by testing different weights or beam lengths. They share their findings in class.
Curated OER
Students Involved In Volunteering
Eighth graders discuss the needs of their local community and how they are being met by the government. Individually, they participate as a volunteer at a local organization of their choice. They reflect on their experience and...
Curated OER
Creating Communities
Students design a community with minimal environmental impact. They rate each other's community's presentation using the "Planning and Zoning Commission Rating Scale".
Dream of a Nation
Creating Awareness through Action Oriented Writing and Research
Middle schoolers aren't too young to feel strongly about politics, social issues, consumer rights, or environmental problems. Demonstrate the first steps toward social change with a project about action-oriented writing. Eighth graders...
Curated OER
What Is Smart Growth?
Students practice planning for the development of an area using the goals of Smart Growth as a guide. They analyze how regions can affect government policies. They role-play citizens who recommend how an area should be developed.
Curated OER
Wisconsin History and Information
Fourth graders complete a multi-faceted project about the people, places, and government of Wisconsin. Working with traditional and technological resources, they research various topics related to the history of Wisconsin and create a...