Brooklyn Museum
"Workt by Hand": Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts
Just like a painting or the symbols on a flag, quilts can express ideas that reflect a cultural context, space, and time. The class discusses the history of quilt making throughout US history and what different types of quilts mean. They...
Curated OER
Reality Store: How to Plan a Budget, Pay Bills, and Manage Your Money
Pupils 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.
Curated OER
Inform the Community
Students gain an understanding of the U.S. Census. In this social studies civics lesson plan, students explore understand the link between the census and the availability of community services.
Curated OER
Establishing Borders: The Expansion of the United States 1846-48
Learners investigate how the United States acquired land after the Revolutionary War ended. In this establishing borders lesson, students use maps to identify territories acquired by the US and the states that later developed. Learners...
Atlanta History Center
What if YOU Lived During Jim Crow?
Young historians envision what life was like for African Americans living in the Jim Crow South through hands-on, experiential activities.
Curated OER
Revolutionary Money
Examine paper money from the American revolution! Historians study the paper bills and discuss the history of money. How has money changed over the times? Activities are included.
Curated OER
The Social Effects of the Great Depression
Students explore U.S. history by listening to an economics lecture. For this Great Depression lesson, students read a letter written to the President during the worst economical disaster in U.S. history. Students answer study questions...
Curated OER
Introduction to Maps
Students develop their map skills. In this geography lesson, students participate in an activity that requires them to survey their social studies book in order to find different types of maps and purposes for their uses.
Curated OER
Google Earth Virtual Vacation
Students explore different areas of America by using the internet and the "Google Earth" website in this interactive, social studies lesson for late elementary students. This lesson includes a resource link to download a free program to...
Smithsonian Institution
A Ticket to Philly—In 1769: Thinking about Cities, Then and Now
While cities had only a small fraction of the population in colonial America, they played a significant role in pre-revolutionary years, and this was certainly true for the largest city in the North American colonies: Philadelphia. Your...
Curated OER
Where We Live
Students forecast future population growth of the U.S. Virgin Islands. In this U.S. Census lesson plan, students explain the factors that influence population density on the U.S. Virgin Islands, including geography and economic activity.
Curated OER
Coming to America
Through this set of three lessons about Ellis Island, class members will learn about why immigrants came to the United States, find out about the difficulties that went along with coming to America, become familiar with the immigration...
NET Foundation for Television
1850-1874 The Kansas-Nebraska Act
How the Kansas-Nebraska Act created Bleeding Kansas is complicated—until scholars research and examine documents from the time. After completing activities that include mapping, photo, document analysis, and discussion, learners...
Curated OER
What to Do with a $20 Bill Besides Spend It
Students explore the concept of anti-counterfeiting measure. In this economics lesson, students use science equipment to discover anti-counterfeiting designs. Students then explore other denominations of bills.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 3: On the Road with Marco Polo: From Hormuz to Kashgar
Young explorers examine the route that Marco Polo and his father traveled to reach China. They examine online maps of the Silk Road and harsh terrain of Afghanistan to determine challenges that may have been encountered during travel.
Curated OER
Space Trader And Economics
Students' play a game applying different economic and game terms. In the game, the students' are to travel to 4 planets which provide the best resources for increasing their money to purchase a moon in the end. The students' keep track...
Curated OER
What Do Pets Need?
Students identify the needs that all humans and animals have. In groups, they play a game to discover the proper way to take care of pets. To end the lesson, they develop a plan to best take care of their pets at home and view pictures...
Curated OER
Overland Trails To The West
Consider the political, physical, and geographical factors that led to and marked the Westward Expansion. Learners will track the various routes developed during the 1800's. They create a first person journal describing what they see,...
Curated OER
If the World Were a Village
Students examine the conditions of the global economy. As a class, they discuss the political, economic and cultural differences around the world. They review the concepts of distribution and scarcity and identify the costs and...
Curated OER
A Rooster and a Bean Seed
Students study exchange and how it has different forms. In this money management lesson, students are able to learn how goods and services work by completing worksheets, activities, essay questions and assessments provided.
Curated OER
America's Mighty Rivers
Young scholars examine the cultural importance of America's rivers. Using the Mississippi and Hudson Rivers, they examine a story that takes place on each river. They are introduced to the concepts of preservation and stewardship.
Curated OER
What Would Hannah Think?
Students read excepts from various government documents on the issue of slavery in America. Using the internet, they research a topic related to slavery of interest to them and present to the class their findings. They examine the life...
Curated OER
Barter Day
Fifth graders research bartering. In this bartering lesson, 5th graders investigate bartering as a way to trade for goods and services. Students experience bartering first hand while playing a game.
Curated OER
Birdseed Mining Activity
Students investigate how small amounts of minerals or metals are mined out of very large masses of rock using birdseed. They study the economics of valuable commodities. They look at environmentally conscious mining and how reclamation...