Curated OER
Enduring Understanding
Fourth graders explore indigenous people of rainforest and examine their customs and ways of life. They discuss how rainforests should be protected not only for their plants and animals, but also for indigenous people who live in them,...
Briscoe Center for American History
Mary Maverick and Texas History - Part 1
What's the difference between a diary and a memoir? Young historians explore the ramifications of this question as they learn how to use primary source materials to gain an understanding of life on the Texas frontier.
Curated OER
A New Life, a New Home
Students connect with an immigration unit through research, journal writing, digital photography, and a movie production using iMovie. By acting out the immigrant's experience, students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of...
Curated OER
The Twelve Core Values of the Inupiaq People - How do they fit in your life?
Students become familiar with the Inupiaq culture. In this Inupiaq lesson, students listen to read alouds about the life style of the Inupiaq in Alaska, Students understand the twelve core values of the Inupiaq people. Students choose a...
Curated OER
Barnyard Protest: Cows, Chickens & Fundamental Freedoms
Here is an ambitious and engaging lesson that should help elementary schoolers begin to develop a basic understanding of human rights. Pupils are asked to think about their own rights, the rights of others, and how an individual's voice...
Curated OER
Researching information on and Images of Contemporary Native Americans
Research information and find pictures of Contemporary Native Americans in order to help 3rd graders understand what images are available from a variety of resources. They will present their research and pictures to the class. In turn,...
Curated OER
Northwest Native American
Third graders describe and come to the understanding the American Indians in this locations and their customs. They explain that the region and its natural resources affected how Native Americans developed their cultural practices.
Curated OER
Compare and Contrast Cultures
Using informational text to make cross cultural comparisons is a great way to build a global understanding and comparative analysis skills. With several handy worksheets and a Venn diagram the class will read to make cross textual...
Curated OER
The Study of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas: Understanding Photo Essays
Students analyze a photo essay of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas by the photojournalist Russell Lee. They identify the goals of the photo essay, explore a website, and complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
Middle Passage: a Journey of Endurance
Learners 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,...
Curated OER
Moving West With Pioneers
Fifth graders read a book written by Laura Ingalls Wilder to examine the hardships that were endured by pioneers traveling during the Westward Expansion of the US. They predict, summarize and participate in literature circles. They visit...
Curated OER
Patriotic Symbols
Third graders recognize patriotic symbols and why they are important. In this loyalty lesson, 3rd graders understand how the symbols of our country helps us show our loyalty to it. Students define words in the pledge of allegiance and...
Curated OER
Ghost Towns
Fourth graders research and complete a worksheet to understand why towns in Utah became ghost towns. In this ghost town lesson, 4th graders meet with an official to explore what makes a town thrive. Students create original posters...
Curated OER
The Family That Endured An Historical View of African-American Families As Seen Through American Literature and Art
Students identify racial stereotypes in advertisements from the past and survey their sources and implications. They compare advertisements from the past with those of today using similar approaches and create an original advertisement...
Curated OER
Hooverville Diorama
Fifth graders explore life during the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson plan, 5th graders gain an understanding of what life was like during the Great Depression. Students draw conditions that families lived in and...
Curated OER
What Is Culture
Fourth graders investigate the concept of culture. They look into the influences that shape culture and how it effects people and regional areas. Students answer the question of why it is important to study culture to have a better...
Curated OER
Crossing the Oregon Trail
Students become familiar with the sacrifices that the migrants endured crossing the plains to the west. They experience some of the problem solving that the pioneers faced and pay the natural consequences of their choices.
Curated OER
Surviving the Struggle: Ruby Bridges, Ryan White, and Anne Frank
Fourth graders develop a deeper understanding of Anne Frank's survival. They select significant subject matter for a family photo album, write photo captions expressing feelings as well as facts, and sequence material in a logical,...
Curated OER
Prairie Voices
Fifth graders compare and contrast a one room school house in Iowa in the past with how they go to school today. In this school lesson plan, 5th graders read about rural families and the controversies that they endured in the time of one...
Curated OER
Lesson 4: A Field Trip to the Maine State Museum
Students analyze the Maine State Museum's exhibit 12,000 Years in Maine. They create an artifact and write a description of that artifact that demonstrates their understanding of the way technology shapes culture.
Briscoe Center for American History
Mary Maverick and Texas History - Part 2
To conclude their investigation of the life of Mary Maverick and to demonstrate their ability to analyze primary source documents, groups use the SOAPS questioning method to examine Maverick's account of events in early Texas history.
Briscoe Center for American History
Applying the SOAPS Method of Analyzing Historical Documents
Young historians use the SOAPS (Speaker, Occasion, Audience, Purpose, Subject) method of questioning to determine the historical value of primary source documents. The third in a series of five lessons that model for learners how...
Curated OER
Symmetry in Relief
Students explore radial symmetry. In this 3 dimensional art and geometry lesson, students identify examples of radial symmetry in everyday objects. Students create an imprint using radial symmetry on clay tiles.
Curated OER
Intermediate Guided Reading Lesson Plan for: Corn is Maize The Gift of the Indians
A lovely guided reading lesson awaits you and your students. They read the book,Corn is Maize: The Gift of the Indians, by Aliki, summarize the important events of the story, and describe how corn has helped develop culture in America.