Curated OER
Weekly Current Events
Young scholars examine current events every week. Using the internet, they complete searches about specific events. In groups, they gather information to share with the class and discuss any opposing viewpoints.
BBC
Local Democracy
Expanding our students' understanding of government at a local level is a great way to build an understanding of government at a global level. Start the understanding by using any of these fun teaching ideas. Learners engage in several...
Curated OER
The European Union
Students compare the structures and content of the United States Constitution against the draft of the European Union Constitution. They consider various perspectives on the formation of a constitution.
Curated OER
Kabul's Troubles
Learners investigate the many political changes that Afghanistan has endured over the past century in order to better assess the impact of the recent fleeing of the Taliban from the capital of Kabul.
Curated OER
Rising Tensions Over The Nile River Basin
Students analyze the concept of global commons dilemma. In this investigative lesson students read an article on the Middle East Media Research Institute and answer questions accordingly.
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Introduction to World Religions: Islam
Sixth graders explore religion by viewing a presentation in class. In this global culture lesson, 6th graders define the Islam religion and the stories that accompany it. Students read the story "Muhammad" by Demi and view an Internet...
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Peace Lesson
Learners explore world peace. In groups, the complete a global peace jigsaw puzzle. After they work the puzzle, students read and answer questions written on a table cloth. Learners discuss and write their perspective of peace.
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Social Studies: War and the Media
Students examine the impact of the media on various wars, especially the Iraq and Vietnam wars. By examining cartoons and popular music as primary sources, they suggest motivations for the conflicts and propose reasons for public...
Curated OER
WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES
Learners explore educational opportunities available to people living in a variety of developing and more economically developed countries. They work in groups and research an assigned country and explore how society values education,...
Curated OER
Good News/Bad News/Who Cares?
Young scholars practice evaluating facts, bringing to bear their own experience, preferences, and international contexts. They recognize that there are many ways of interpreting a single piece of information and form the habit of...
New York City Department of Education
Geography and Early Peoples of the Western Hemisphere
Young historians discover the early people of the western hemisphere. The unit explores how the land changed, how it was used and homes of early Americans such as Incas, Mayans, Inuits, Aztecs, and Pueblos. Individuals also examine these...
New York City Department of Education
Colonial America and The American Revolution
How did the founding of the American colonies lead to a revolution? Use the essential question and sample activities to guide learners through a series of history lessons. Additionally, the packet includes effective strategies to...
Teaching Tolerance
Identity Portraits
When you look at me, what do you see? Young learners answer this question by creating a portrait that reflects the identity of one of their peers. First, class members create interview questions. Then, they interview classmates to...
Curated OER
"Circles of Strength: What Do You Stand For?" ~ A Reflection of Us~
Middle schoolers determine how they are included in "Circles of Strength." In this character activity, students reflect on how they are part of "Circles of Strength" in the "Circle of Life." They make an individual circle that includes...
Annenberg Foundation
Industrializing America
Imagine an eight year old spindle boy working barefoot in a factory in the late 1800s. Scholars research the industrial period in American history in the 14th lesson of a 22-part series that explores the country's background. Groups...
Syracuse University
Ancient World Writing System
Most twenty-first century pupils don't know how to interpret cuneiform. Examining images of cuneiform and papyrus writing and using a chart and Venn diagram, young historians extrapolate what life may have been like for people who lived...
Curated OER
Create-a-Culture
Students examine the different characteristics of culture and write about a hypothetical culture of their own.
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Rivers and Streams
Students research the rivers, streams and water bodies of Hawaii. They read a variety of books, play Bingo with water-related terms, create and maintain water-themed journals, view videos, conduct Internet research and participate in a...
Curated OER
To Culture or Not to Culture
Students study the pros and cons of the aquaculture industry after reading hypothetical case study. They simulate a town meeting debate about aquaculture.
Curated OER
Canada's Arctic Barometer
Middle schoolers research arctic climates. In this Web-quest investigation, students will identify Arctic climate changes, explain the effects of these changes, relate the changes to other regions, and write their findings in a letter...
Curated OER
Atmospheric Pressures
Students research past, present and proposed climate change policies. They develop timelines based on different predictions of climate change effects and assess the likelihood of each timeline playing out in reality.
Curated OER
Advising China
Students express their opinions about how growth and modernization affect nations. Reading an article on China, they discuss the causes and effects of exponential growth in a single town. They research how China has changed by writing...
Curated OER
A Century of Challenge and Change: The Filipino American Story
Students recognize the events that led to the Philippine Revolution. In this Philippine Revolution lesson, students relate the causes of the Philippine Revolution to situation in the world today. Students examine the Philippine Equation...