Advocates for Human Rights
Voices of Iraqi Refugees
The stated goal of this resource is to provide learners with basic facts about and build empathy for Iraqi refugees. To do so elementary classes develop a plan for how to welcome refugees to their classroom. Middle schoolers read...
Curated OER
All About Me
This is an awesome resource for any elementary or middle school teacher about to start a new school year! This resource includes an extensive list of activities for introducing the members of your class to each other. Some of the ideas...
Curated OER
Middle Passage: a Journey of Endurance
Students determine that thriving African cultures engaged in international trade and exploration before the emergence of European civilization. The study ancient Ghana, its geographic locale, the diversity therein to include its people,...
Smithsonian Institution
Songs, Sounds and Stories from the Georgia Sea Islands
American music is the result of the influence of many cultures, including the traditions brought by the African slaves. Young scholars study the polyrhythms, the call-and-response format, and the vocal improvisations of the Gullah...
Curated OER
Cemetery Restoration Project
Who is buried in this tomb? Trek to a local cemetery, take pictures of markers, explore records, and conduct interviews to bring to life the stories behind the stones. Use Olympus and Tool Factory to coordinate and gather information...
Curated OER
Reality Store: How to Plan a Budget, Pay Bills, and Manage Your Money
Students plan a budget and pay bills when they visit the "Reality Store," a series of classroom studying stations. The use of paying bills and running a class store is used to help students grasp the concept of business.
American Forest Foundation
Who Speaks for the Trees?
Help young conservationists appreciate the important role that trees play in ecosystems around the world with this collection of six engaging activities. From a shared reading and class discussion of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, to in an depth...
Curated OER
My Manners Matter
Students examine behavior. In this polite manners instructional activity, students will determine appropriate responses to different situations they may experience at school. They will listen to the story My Manners Matter by Pat Thomas...
World Globes & Maps
United States Map- Intermediate Directions
Students identify the four intermediate directions. For this map skills lesson, students use post-it notes to label the four intermediate directions on a map. Students locate various states using intermediate directions.
Curated OER
Warning Signs
Students identify the signs that someone is being bullied. In this school climate lesson plan, students discuss the provided list of signs that one is being bullied. Links are provided to other lessons about bullying.
Curated OER
Holi-Days
Students research an event, celebration, or observance from a culture with which they are not familiar and present their information to the class in this cross-curricular look at festivals and celebrations. The instructional activity...
National Constitution Center
To Sign or Not to Sign: The Ultimate Constitution Day Lesson Plan
Learners examine the ratification process. For this U.S. Constitution lesson plan, students discuss the ratification process and read a play based on the process. Learners debate the ratification process and determine whether they...
Curated OER
Art Through the Eyes of Youth
Students take a field trip to an art gallery reflecting on the paintings they like the most. Individually, they use magazines to find pictures related to their personality. In pairs, they make a mask to represent their ethnic group and...
Curated OER
Positively Respectful
Create a positive environment by teaching young scholars to show respect and share compliments. Students use drawing paper and create a self-portrait. Young scholars are encouraged to discuss things they like about themselves. As...
Curated OER
Art of Japan - Textiles - Kimonos
Students examine and discuss the role of the Kimono in Japanese culture. They create Kimono Paper Weavings, Kimono Scratch Art, and Kimono Clay Sculptures.
Curated OER
Passing Notes
Students demonstrate how to give compliments. In this character education lesson, students are given an envelope with strips of paper to write compliments on. Students are asked to give one compliment to each classmate. The students...
Curated OER
A Nation of Many Cultures
Students create a presentation about themselves to share with the class. They include information from their family and their heritage. They compare and contrast their culture to their classmates.
Curated OER
Minnesota-China Connections: Mental Maps
Students examine the concept of mental mapping. They draw a map of their school, before and after touring the space they draw. Then they draw mental maps of China and Minnesota, before and after seeing actual maps of the areas.
Curated OER
Comparing Three Religions: Islam, Judaism, and Christianity
Students work together in groups to research either Judaism, Christianity, or Islam. Once the research is complete, they share their information with the other groups in the class. They complete a worksheet on rituals and holidays in...
Curated OER
Draw Like an Egyptian
Students craft their own Egyptian art. In this ancient Egyptian art lesson, students explore Egyptian art and create their own work following the 4 guidelines presented in the lesson.
Curated OER
How to Teach Geography with KidPix II
Students use the computer program KidPix II to color a map of the world. For this world map lesson plan, students fill in different colors for different continents that are told to them on the program KidPix II.
Curated OER
Celebrate Character Counts Week
Students participate in activities to celebrate character counts week. They identify the six pillars of character. They display good character when it comes to everyday tasks.
Curated OER
Sole People
Pupils create "sole people" using tempera paint, drawing paper, and shoe prints in this multi-level art lesson. The lesson can be combined with a brief history of the African-American inventor Jan Ernst Matzeliger, who created the "shoe...