Alabama Department of Archives and History
World War II - Life on the Home Front in Alabama
What was life like for civilians who were home during WWII? The activity uses a PowerPoint presentation with photos to explain life on the home front was like during World War II, including shortages of food, collecting scrap metal, and...
Curated OER
American Indian Cooking Before 1500
Students read and discuss an article about Native American cooking practices before 1500. In small groups they recreate a recipe for pemmican and sample the results. They discuss how food preparation and ingredients differ from modern...
Curated OER
Contain Yourself: Changes Over Time in the Use of Containers by Native Americans
Students examine the types of containers used by Native Americans. They discover how their form and function has changed over time. They create their own container based on the Native American examples.
Curated OER
Early Native Americans
Students create a scrapbook illustrating the culture of Native Americans that settled in the Kickapoo Valley. Working in groups, students choose a topic related to the Kickapoo Valley Indians. Using traditional and technological...
Curated OER
Kwanzaa: Invitations and Menus
It's time to celebrate Kwanzaa in the classroom! After studying the traditions of the holiday, learners design a menu decorated in the colors and symbols associated with Kwanzaa.
Curated OER
Chuukese Dinner (high School)
Students read journal entries about having dinner with a Chuukese family. Using this information, they identify which foods sound appealing and compare and contrast Micronesian and American foods, fruits and vegetables. In groups, they...
Curated OER
Traditional Values vs. Modern Culture in the Asian Community
Students examine Chinese culture and values. They research the teachings of Confucius, create posters, write short stories, and analyze the history of and present state of gang culture through research, discussion, and writing.
Curated OER
Chopsticks and Chinese Food Culture
Sixth graders discover why food is an important part of a culture. As a class, they practice the table manners used in China and identify the underlying values. They develop the skills to properly use chopsticks to end the lesson.
Curated OER
A Piece of Bread
Students prepare food. For this African American community lesson, students read a story and discuss how philanthropy was portrayed. Students write about a time they had the opportunity to share or give. Students decide ways they can be...
Curated OER
Corn in Ancient America
Young scholars explore the importance of corn to the survival of early civilizations of the Americas. Through research and discussion activities, they read and describe how corn was used as food and currency in early civilizations. ...
Curated OER
Christmas Around the World (Grade 2)
Student groups create slides on one of the cultures listed. They view videos that show United States families celebrating Christmas based on their native countries' traditions and a video which tells the story of La Bafana, the old woman...
Curated OER
Native Lands: Indian in Georgia
Students bring in vegetables that the Native Americans ate. In this vegetable instructional activity, students create a graph that shows how many students brought in each vegetable. They measure their vegetable to find the length,...
Curated OER
Nomadic and Sedentary Tribes in Kansas
Seventh graders compare and contrast sedentary and nomadic tribe life. In this Native American culture lesson plan, 7th graders research primary documents about the Osage and Kiowa tribes. Students create a series of illustrations to be...
Curated OER
Country Locations
First graders read a story and locate where the countries in the story are located. In this traditions lesson, 1st graders explore food dishes from different countries and discuss where they are located. Students tell their favorite...
Curated OER
Latin American Colonial Diary
Students examine the class systems of New Spain. In small groups, they create a five-day diary about the family life, food, occupation, and government involvement of an assigned personality from the time of Colonial Latin America.
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Thanksgiving: Traditions
Students investigate the traditions and history around Thanksgiving. They divide into groups and research specific aspects of the holiday. Students then share their findings with the rest of the class. They also complete crafts,...
Curated OER
Christmas Makes Me Think
Third graders discover that Christmas is a time for giving and sharing. In this Christmas spirit lesson, 3rd graders read a book about a child who is excited about Christmas trees and presents, but comes to realize that Christmas is...
Curated OER
AIH-5: Westward Expansion
Fifth graders research how the westward expansion affected the American Indians.
Curated OER
Thanksgiving (ESL)
Learners investigate a traditional American Thanksgiving. They recreate the first Thanksgiving in the classroom complete with food and appropriate decorations.
Curated OER
"If You Are What You Eat, Then What Am I?"
Geeta Kothari presents an honest and compelling account of trying to assimilate into American culture. After your class reads her short story "If You Are What You Eat, Then What Am I?," present your scholars with this two-page analysis...
Curated OER
Comparing Cultural Holidays
Students discover facts about the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. In this compare and contrast lesson, students explore Halloween and the Day of the Dead. Students create an alter to memorialize a family member or friend that has...
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
More Tribal Homelands
Here is a very fun idea that introduces young learners to how geographical location affects cultural development. They are introduced to four areas where Native Americans have lived in the past by reading stories and examining images....
Scholastic
Cooking Dinner (Thanksgiving)
American traditions of Thanksgiving come to life through culinary activities. Young chefs practice cooking a turkey and setting a table for a Thanksgiving family feast. They use math and reading skills to follow directions and measure...