Penn Museum
Egypt
From pharaohs and pyramids to the mummification process, this packet is a fantastic resource for studying ancient Egypt! Worksheets not only review key terms and practices that are foundational to ancient Egyptian culture, such as...
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Masking: Honoring Animals, Ancestors, and Gods
Students analyze the role of masks in African culture. For this African masks lesson, students read about the importance and meaning of imagery of African masks. Students observe animals in local ecosystems and create a mask combining...
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Kye Kye Kule
Third graders study the repeating patterns and basic dance movements used in traditional African drumming songs. In groups, they create a story that can be used with a ritual/tradition and a rhythmic piece that uses repeating rhythmic...
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Looking at Ritual and Ceremony
Students explore Edward Curtis' photos of a Native American ritual and practice documenting their own religious rituals. In this photography analysis lesson, students analyze an Native American ritual in Curtis' photo. Students discuss...
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Rituals and Rites of Passage
Learners explore the concept of rites of passage and the rituals that society performs to mark certain moments in life. They read books, discuss the cultural implications of certain rites of passage, design a mural of funeral customs and...
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Daily Life of the Caddo Indians
Fourth graders research Caddo culture and present their findings to classmates. They suggest meanings of the Caddo Indian Turkey Dance. They draw illustrations for their presentations.
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Native American Ceremonies
Second graders explore cultural rituals by researching Native American people. In this Native American ceremony lesson, 2nd graders read the story Indian Festivals by Keith Brand and identify the naturalistic attitude of the Native...
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If…Then…Ideas for History
Have your class examine a very old piece of art as they consider history, chronology, geography, culture, and tradition. They discuss the concept of ritual as it is associated with religious practices and research the spread of...
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Indigenous Peoples’ Day Lesson Plan
Indigenous Land Guardianship, Settler Colonialism, Racial Capitalism. While the terms may be new to some, they feature in a lesson plan designed for Indigenous Peoples' Day. Young scholars investigate four concepts: Land...
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Witchcraft
Tenth graders develop response to witchcraft from a historical and cultural perspective. They evaluate the use of ceremonies and rituals in witchcraft. They develop a character and develop use of genres and styles of drama. They role...
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Project-Based Learning: Diversity
Ethnic and cultural diversity are explored in a service learning lesson, great for upper graders. They participate in four weekly activities that require them to research ethnic and cultural diversity.
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Contributions of Ancient Egypt
Second graders identify the major contributions of ancient Egypt, including architectural monuments, e.g. the pyramids and Sphinx. They study the function of the pyramids as tombs for the Pharaohs.
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Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
Students create Thanksgiving menu and pre-dinner blessing or ritual that is sensitive to five different imaginary Thanksgiving guests from a variety of backgrounds.
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Ancient Egyptian Culture
Fifth graders participate in a Webquest on Ancient Egypt. They identify clothing and jewelry, list the steps of mummification, decipher hieroglyphics, and complete a Travel Log.
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Common Good in Aztec Culture Lesson 2: Aztec Religion
Middle schoolers examine human sacrifice and read about Aztec gods and religious practices. They study Aztec sacrifice while looking at opportunity costs of doing things for the common good.
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The Japanese Tea Ceremony
Students participate in a research project that is focused upon the subject of The Japanese Tea Ceremony. They find the information and present the findings in writng. On day 3 of this lesson students have their own tea ceremonies.
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The Meaning of Food
Students gain an understanding of the many roles that food plays in people's lives. They explore about different cultures and groups through food. Students use a range of research and presentation skills.
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Japanese Society
Learners conduct research into the life of being a person who is Japanese. The activity uses essential questions in order to guide the research. Classroom activities are used to encourage discussion.
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Abstract Animal Tripod
Students combine handbuilding techniques to create zoomorphic form. They demonstrate craftmanship in forming and decorating a tripod vessel. They compare and contrast ceramics by Pre-Columbian cultures.
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Know Your Rites
Students examine ceremonies in cultures around the world that celebrate young peoples' entry into adulthood.
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Soulfully Remembered
Students study about the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead to explore another culture's attitude towards death. They create collages reflecting the interests of and memories about someone who has passed away.
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Folktale through African Art
Learners study folktales and other stories from West Africa. By hearing and reading these stories they explore many new cultural and religious beliefs, such as spirits inhabiting nature and possessing special powers. Once the students...
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Modern Conditions Placed on Traditions
Students explore the role of traditions in world cultures. They read a New York Times article dealing with recent changes in the traditional clothing worn in England's House of Lords
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Clay Magic Pots
Fifth graders create clay artwork that resembles African and Egyptian monolithic sculptures. For this visual arts lesson, 5th graders are shown examples of monolithic and figural sculpture from Egyptian and African cultures, then they...