Lesson Plan
UTSA Institute of Texas Cultures

Teaching Through Kamishibai and The Art of Chinese Calligraphy

For Teachers 2nd - 8th Standards
Young learners discover kamishibai, a popular Japanese storytelling art, and explore how these Japanese folktales illustrate the country's cultural themes and values through discussion and storyboarding. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Microwave and the Jiffy Store

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young historians examine the lifestyle changes and cultural changes that occurred as a result of the challenges posed by World War II on society in general. With regard to American History and culture, pupils write an essay on the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

World History Worksheet #8

For Students 5th - 8th
What customs did the Ancient Aztecs practice? In this world history worksheet, learners utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions pertaining to the Aztec culture. A short answer question at the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Canada and the United States: A Collage

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create a visual presentation that describes the influence of American culture on Canadian culture, the Canadian response to that influence, and the benefits and drawbacks of that influence to Canadian culture.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Holidays

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compare the holidays celebrated in the Middle Ages to those celebrated in American culture today. In this cultural tradition instructional activity, students read Internet-linked articles about holidays of the Middle Ages....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is All Cinema Verité?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore the relationship between movies and culture, looking at movies as both a part of and a reflection of popular culture. They research the specific historical and cultural realities present during the run of a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Old Is New Again

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore cultural trends in the United States in the 20th century and examine the resurgence of some of those trends in today's society.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beisbol! Latino Baseball Pioneers and Legends

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students explore Latin America by researching the favorite past time, baseball. In this Latin culture lesson, students identify the leaders in the Latin American baseball movement such as Felipe Alou, Jose Mendze, and the great Roberto...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Symbolism in China's Material Goods

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students make a generalization about the process of 'looking' and 'grouping', hoping to show that we, as Americans, show preferences and shared choices. They study examples of American art through time and create a class chart...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Americas Idols

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of American Idol and the controversy that surrounds the broadcast. They conduct research using a variety of resources and write paragraphs that state opinions about the...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

By the People, For the People

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
A picture speaks a thousand words—no matter how old. The 18th installment of a 22-part series on the making of American history has scholars research the causes of the Great Depression and the factors of the New Deal. Using photographic...
Unit Plan
Annenberg Foundation

Global America

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
It's not really a small world after all! The 21st lesson of a 22-part series on American history researches the impact of globalization on the United States. Using photographic and written references materials, as well as video sources,...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Indian Music

For Students 5th - 6th
In this music worksheet, students discover facts about India's musical history and culture. Students read informative paragraphs and answer 7 questions about India's history and music.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mountain Creation: A Drama Exploration

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore mountain formation. In this cross curriculum earth science and legend writing instructional activity, students listen to the poem "The Way to make Perfect Mountains" by Byrd Baylor and identify examples of vivid language...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Take Me Out to the Ballgame

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students study the American sport and history of baseball. In this baseball lesson, students complete three levels of units to learn about baseball.
Worksheet
Curated OER

General Knowledge Quiz

For Students 5th - 6th
In this general knowledge worksheet, students attempt to answer 30 trivia questions on subjects ranging from art, geography, films, books and popular culture. The directions say to listen and answer. It is unclear how this is to be used;...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Having Fun: Leisure and Entertainment at the Turn of the Twentieth Century

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore how the innovations in culture and technology influenced the development of a leisure industry in America at the turn of the twentieth century.
Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

What's This? Gold

For Students 6th - 12th
Cell phones are likely made of gold—at least part of them! An interesting lesson explains the conventional and not-so-conventional uses of the popular element gold. From the Inca empire to modern-day technology, learners discover gold...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 5- Robert Rauschenberg: Reinventing Art

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine how Robert Rauschenberg influenced popular art and how art is influenced by politics, social and cultural messages. They design a new art movement and create art that is indicative of that movement.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Jazz

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Young scholars gain an understanding of early jazz. They study Dixieland and the Roaring Twenties. They examine the American historical significance and cultural implications of early jazz.
Lesson Plan
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Japan Society

Our Family and Other Families: Using Totoro to Teach Family Structure

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
What do families around the world have in common? Explore this theme through the popular animated film My Neighbor Totoro by Hayao Miyazaki. Over the course of two days, pupils view the film, pausing to discuss their own families and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Ethnic Labels and Puerto Rican Identity

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students brainstorm a list of stereotypes associated with the Hispanic or Latin culture. In groups, they use the internet to research issues of importance to the Puerto Rican community. They focus on the cultures that speak Spanish and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Honest Cigarette Ad?

For Teachers K - 8th
Students recognize the intended audience for a certain advertisement They recognize advertising techniques aimed at the intended audience and create their own advertisements about the truth of cigarette smoking. Students begin to see...
Activity
Smithsonian Institution

Young People Shake Up Elections (History Proves It) Educator Guide

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Vote, it's your civic duty! The resource provides several videos about voting in the United States. Scholars watch a series of topics ranging from youth participation to civic action. The educator's guide provides teachers with...