Curated OER
Rotational Hex Designs
Learn about the Pennsylvania Dutch folk art, Rotational Hex Design. This image-rich presentation provides a comprehensive description of the origin and meaning behind these interesting totems. Instructions to create these symmetrical...
Curated OER
Teaching Controversial Science Issues Through Law Related Education
Discuss the differences in dialogue and debate when considering a controversial topic. Your class can work in small groups to complete a guided discussion of this controversial topic and then participate in a simulation of the Scopes...
Idaho State Department of Education
Lessons for Social Studies Educators
Point of view, purpose, and tone: three concepts readers of primary and secondary source materials must take into account when examining documents. Class members view a PowerPoint presentation and use the SOAPS strategy to identify an...
Curated OER
Reading Club: Sex Ed
If you teach health, sociology, ethics, or a class that addresses controversial issues, this resource related to schools' sex education programs may be useful. The New York Times' Learning Network provides a lengthy article on a unique...
Curated OER
Freeform Pennsylvania Map
In this Pennsylvania map worksheet, students research, study and label twenty important cities, physical attributes and the neighbors that surround Pennsylvania on a Pennsylvania map.
Curated OER
The Most American Thing in America: The Chautauqua
Students explore the Chautauqua movement. For this Pennsylvania history lesson, students use primary documents to explore what the Chautauqua was and how it made a difference in the American way of life.
Curated OER
Teaching Controversial Science Issues Through Law Related Education
A set of lessons help aspiring scientists practice the critical thinking skills required for facing controversial issues such as evolution. As a group, they discuss what controversy consists of. They compare and constrast the concepts of...
Curated OER
Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education
Learners analyze photographs that feature segregation. In this human rights lesson, students examine photographs of a segregated movie theater, a Ku Klux Klan gathering, a segregated business sign, and an illustration from "Harper's...
Curated OER
Voices at Whisper Bend
Students examine life in Pennsylvania during and after World War II. Using primary source documents, they compare the unity of the United States during World War II and the Iraq War. They also discover how citizens adapt to the war at home.
Curated OER
Families and Neighborhoods
Students distinguish where their homes are in relation to the city of Pittsburgh. In this geography lesson, students read the book All Families Are Specialand find their city on a map of Pennsylvania. Students locate Pittsburgh and use a...
American Battlefield Trust
Gettysburg Virtual Tour
Step into one of the most iconic battlefields of the American Civil War with an educational interactive resource. Young historians learn about key moments, locations, soldiers, and turning points in the battle with a clickable map and...
Curated OER
The Finish Line
Young scholars investigate the philanthropy of various cultural traditions. In this cultural education lesson plan, students read a handout about Native American, European American, and African American traditions and identify the...
Curated OER
Pennsylvania Walkers Club
Students participate in an school-wide walking club. Students choose a destination in Pennsylvania they would like to visit. After plotting the best way to get their using a map, the walk each day and record their distance in miles on...
Curated OER
Pennsylvania Boxing: Living the American Dream
Learners reflect on fictional and real boxers from Pennsylvania. In this history instructional activity, students read, reflect and discuss the historical period following World War II and observe the boxers that were famous from...
Curated OER
Food Safety Unit Exam 1
Students complete seventeen question test about food safety which includes matching vocabulary terms, short answer questions and fill in the blank questions. Test is part of the Food Safety Unit produced by the College of Agricultural...
Curated OER
Corporal Punishment
Nineteen states legally permit school officials to physically punish children. Scholars learn more about the topic as they use the website to prepare for a class debate or discussion. Pupils read background information and discover the...
Curated OER
Kill the Indian, Save the Man!
Students investigate primary sources from Carlisle Indian School including letters and photographs. In this investigative lesson students answer questions about their research.
Curated OER
The Walking Purchase of 1737
Students review the main points of the Walking Purchase of 1737. In groups, they describe how the Iroquois, Minisink, and Delaware Indians felt about the purchase and compare and contrast the different views. They write and perform a...
Curated OER
It's Just a Barn
Investigate Pennsylvania Barns. Have your class consider the elements common to Pennsylvanian barns and why they are significant to the food production process. They write summaries of Frederick Watts and his impact on agriculture.
National First Ladies' Library
Flopsy, Mopsy, Eleanor, and Beatrix
Young scholars read "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" and view the photos of the pets that inspired Beatrix Potter to write. They then select a different book to read from the University of Pennsylvania's website or from the public library that...
Curated OER
Bats -- Pests or Pals?
Fourth graders examine a bat and determine if it is a pest or pal. They identify three types of bats native to the state of Pennsylvania. They also identify the parts of a bat and write a report on the bat of their choice.
Curated OER
Getting to Know You
Students demonstrate the importance of friendship. In this character education lesson, students read the book Will You Be My Friend? and invite college level students into the classroom. Students discuss what they have in common with the...
Agriculture in the Classroom
Farmland: GMOs and Organic Agriculture
Learn more about genetic modification, organic farming, and the role of biotechnology in agriculture by watching a documentary that shows how newly gained knowledge can be applied to specific situations involving farmers and the choices...
Humanities Texas
Primary Source Worksheet: Letter Regarding the Whiskey Rebellion
Analyze the federal government's direct response to the Whiskey Rebellion through this fantastic primary source analysis activity activity.