National Endowment for the Humanities
The Victor's Virtue: A Cultural History of Sport
Pupils explore the meaning of the ancient Greek word aretê and the place of virtue in historical athletic competition and modern sports. They begin by reading an informational text on the goal of sports in education, and then evaluate...
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum
What Does It Mean to Be an American?
A series of four activities focuses young scholars' attention on what it means to be an American. They identify key qualities, values, and virtues they consider shared by Americans. Participants then pretend they have been selected to...
What So Proudly We Hail
A Lesson on Benjamin Franklin’s “Project for Moral Perfection”
Benjamin Franklin identified 13 virtues that he felt would strengthen his character if he could focus on each one. A thorough lesson explores high schoolers' personal values in the context of their lives, and compels them to strive for...
Curated OER
The Red Badge of Courage: A New Kind of Courage
Students provide examples of Crane's treatment of the "manly virtues" associated with war using support from the text of The Red Badge of Courage. They describe the three published endings of The Red Badge of Courage and the difference...
Annenberg Foundation
Spirit of Nationalism
What were the virtues and values that helped form America? Pupils watch and discuss a video, read biographies of early Americans, chart the differences between early American religious movements, write journals and letters, draw, and...
Peabody Essex Museum
Chinese New Year Celebrations
Gong He Xin Xi! Happy New Year! Planning a Lunar New Year/Spring Festival Celebration? Check out the activities and resources in a packet that encourages pupils to research the cultural values and traditional practices associated with...
Curated OER
And the Moral Is...
Students complete a unit using Aesop's fables to learn about morals and insert them into their everyday lives. In this moral values lesson, students complete four lessons using various Aesop's fables.
Curated OER
Reading: If, A Poem
In this poetry worksheet, students read If by Rudyard Kipling and study the verse by verse paraphrasing. Students answer 2 comprehension multiple choice questions about the poem.
Curated OER
Peace and Virtue
Young scholars discuss the consequences of improper actions as well as the sense of accomplishment that comes from doing the right thing and helping others. Students divide into two teams and play a game related to the story they...
Curated OER
Making a Difference
Young scholars create a plan to better their school. In this civil service lesson, students will deepen their understanding of the term "philanthropy" by reflecting on Martin Luther King, Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech and a quote by John...
Curated OER
Connecting Past and Present...Virtues of Military Veterans
Middle schoolers explore personalities of those who served as medical personnel in American Civil War, compare qualities those troops possessed to qualities shown by troops currently serving in Armed Forces, and express appreciation to...
Curated OER
"The Story of Miss Li" by Po Hsing-chien
Fourth graders explore a classic, well-regarded tale of traditional Chinese literature and gain a rudimentary understanding of Confucius values.
Curated OER
Simulation: Connecting Osiris
Students identify Ancient Egypt as the origin of the idea that moral worth as the key to eternal life. In this Ancient Egypt lesson plan, students discuss immorality or eternal life. Students then work the Osiris puzzle and discuss the...
Curated OER
Giving Beyond Measure-The Diary of Anne Frank
Students read and analyze the play "The Diary of Anne Frank" based on the book of the same name. They identify philanthropic concepts and values in the play and discuss the ways in which specific characters actions affect the events....
Curated OER
Just-Us and Kindness: On Our Terms
Learners consider their citizenship responsibilities in the world. For this philanthropy lesson, students define civic virtues as they consider how to be fair, just, and tolerant to promote human rights. Learners complete a graphic...
Curated OER
Accentuate the Positive
Students analyze the attitudes, ideas and beliefs of characteristics that
assist humans in living a positive, proactive life that values self,
family, community, nation and world. Students identify their own strengths as individual....
Curated OER
John Marshall House
Students examine the life of John Marshall, his house and his way of life. They analyze his values and how his private life affected his public life. They also examine historical sites that commemorate notable deeds.
Curated OER
Laws of Life
Students express the values they value the most by writing an essay. They can submit their essay online and respond to other student's essays as well. They are to intiate change if they deem something to be unfair.
Curated OER
The Ottoman Empire
Students compare the basic religious beliefs/and value systems of the three major religions that developed in the Middle East. Each group focuses on one of the religions, then reports to the rest of the class.
Curated OER
Middle School Level Vocabulary Matching Words 2
Help your high schoolers prepare for upcoming state testing by developing their vocabulary skills. There are 15 matching questions provided, and example words include ordeal, orb, and tactile.
Curated OER
A Picture's Worth 500-700 Words: Neoclassical Painting Analysis and Creative Write
Middle schoolers survey Neoclassical art and create a narrative based on their analyses. Focused questions and relevant background information provided by the Getty Museum provides a great foundation for students to understand art...
Curated OER
The Statue of Liberty: The Meaning and Use of a National Symbol
Engage your class in a series of activities, each related to the use or analysis of symbols used to convey patriotic or national concepts. They identify different national symbols and explain their meanings, discussing the importance of...
Curated OER
The Preamble to the Constitution: How Do You Make a More Perfect Union?
Students analyze the Preamble of the Constitution and identify the historical context that led to its wording. They, in groups, interpret phrases from the Preamble, examine relevant court cases and create illustrations for their portion...
Curated OER
Sayings Quiz: Mixed 2
This online, interactive quiz highlights 10 English sayings. The adage is bolded, and learners must choose one of three options that correctly highlight the adage's meaning. What's great is that the user can access immediate feedback by...