Unit Plan
Academy of American Poets

Voice

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Four lessons make up a poetry unit that introduces high schoolers to spoken and written poetry. Class members also examine poems as social commentary and connect these poems to various novels and plays. A great way to incorporate poetry...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoon Analysis Worksheet Key National Bank

For Students 8th - 12th
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students examine a political cartoon about the American National Bank and then respond to 10 analysis questions about the cartoons they select. The cartoon is not included and answers to each of...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Fat Cats Living off the High Hog

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon that uses an idiom to convey its meaning. Students respond  to 4 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Studies: Commemorative Quarter Designs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars research symbols from Texas history and make selections for quarter designs. In addition, they include written explanations to accompany their drawings. Coin designs cultural background and visually represent patriotism...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meet a Creature From Ancient China

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students view an image of a Chinese chimera and complete a chart describing what they see and understand about the creature. They compare funerary customs today to those of ancient China. They compile a list of items that might be...
Lesson Planet Article
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Less is More: How to Write a Six-Word Memoir like Ernest Hemingway

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Follow Ernest Hemingway's lead and lead and teach your pupils to write their own six-word memoir!
Activity
PBS

Document This

For Students 6th - 12th
Being a historian requires serious sleuthing. They examine primary source documents and look for evidence, for clues that reveal who wrote the document, when, and why. After watching two historians model the process, young history...
Lesson Plan
Global Oneness Project

Clowning Around

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Being a clown is hard work — no joke! Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee's Laugh Clown Laugh, a short film about German clown Reinhard "Filou" Harstkotte, asks viewers to consider the various roles played by clowns and to consider the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Herblock at 100

For Students 8th - 12th
In celebration of renowned cartoonist Herb Block's Library of Congress exhibition, this handout includes 2 of his famous political cartoons for scholars to analyze. Background information describes "Herblock's" career, and talking points...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Betsy Ross Story: Truth or Legend?

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students discover that some historians question the story of Betsy Ross's involvement in the creation of the first U.S. flag, study why historians question the story and list reasons the story of Betsy Ross might not be true.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quilting Geometry

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Study geometry through the concept of quilt design. High schoolers examine the geometric shapes in various quilts and then create their own quilts using geometric shapes that fit together. In the end, they write a paragraph to...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Putting a Face on Our Fears

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events activity, students analyze a political cartoon about the nuclear war threat and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Integrating Social studies and the Visual Arts: "Learning to Look" Strategies

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Learners observe and interpret artwork through conducting a variety of activities. In this lesson students will learn how to analyze art work in order to gain a better understanding of it.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Literary Allusion vs. Pop Culture

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons that feature literary allusion and pop culture. Students respond to 2 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Apotheosis ofGeorge Washington

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the image of George Washington. In this Washington presidency lesson, students use the provided analysis handout to analyze the character of Washington conveyed in several pieces of art and speeches. Students share their...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Between the Lines, National Debt

For Students 8th - 12th
For this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about national debt and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Allen Ginsberg: Poetry and Politics

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the poetry of Allen Ginsberg. They read and analyze poems by Allen Ginsberg, conduct Internet research, collect examples of art of the 60s, and create a presentation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Truman Capote: Other Voices, Other Rooms

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Young scholars read and analyze Truman Capote's autobiographical short story, "A Christmas Memory." They discuss writing styles, conduct Internet research on Truman Capote, write a book review, and write a short story based on one of...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: Herblock at 100

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons by Herb Block and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Cartoons for the Classroom: 2004 Presidential Election

For Students 8th - 12th
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the 2004 election and respond to 5 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Culture in Art

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore how cultural aspects of their lives are depicted in society. They view a video on Frida Kahlo and identify the cultural elements that she referenced in her work.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating an Anthology

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Student compile a poetry anthology. In this literature lesson, students examine notable poetry anthologies. Students then select a theme to build their anthologies of 10 poems pertaining to their chosen theme.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analysis of Character in a Short Story

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine a character from the short story, John Steinbeck's, "Flight." students respond to questions about the story and illustrate the character's journey.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping the Changes

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students research an aspect of life of their choosing of a western state either before the Civil War, after the war or today. They are to write about the aspect they choose and make illustrations.