Pennsylvania Department of Education
Home School Connection
Students explore responsibility by participating in a jobs activity. In this housekeeping lesson, students identify the work and preparation that needs to be done at their home if they are going to learn in a home schooling environment....
Curated OER
Emergency Preparedness
Students are introduced to governmental and humanitarian responses to disasters. They research organizations such as FEMA and the Red Cross. They examine their local National Guard unit as well.
Curated OER
The League
Middle schoolers explore the concept of civic virtue in a democratic state. In this democracy lesson, students listen to John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech, read selections on democracy, and discuss the importance of civic rights and...
Curated OER
Serving Memory
Students read an article about a woman who lost her fiance in Iraq. Reading a letter he left his son, they discuss how his words will affect his son once he is old enough to understand. They research the number of casualties in the war...
Curated OER
Deaf and Diverse
Students examine deaf culture and the role that American Sign Language plays in forging a sense of community.
Curated OER
Where I Live…
Second graders explore their community. In this social studies lesson plan, 2nd graders use Internet tools to locate their community on a map and then locate where they live.
Curated OER
Bill of Rights -- Americans with Disabilities Act
Students focus on the First and Ninth Amendments of the Bill of Rights. Before visiting a museum, they examine the Americans with Disabilities Act. During the visit, they work together with a museum member to watch a video and get...
Curated OER
Home Work
Students identify and examine domestic work, skills, and crafts, they find various arenas of traditional learning in their homes and daily lives. They identify experts at home and in their region whose skills contribute to building...
Curated OER
Mapping Our Home
Students explore how communities participate in census counting. In this census activity, students recognize the absolute and relative location of a state and understand ideas about civic life and government.
Curated OER
Age Brings Wisdom -- Learning to Respect Elders
Students read a story about a young Japanese boy and his mother who decide to not banish the community's elders to the hills. They create origami helmets. They work together to make posters appreciating senior citizens.
Curated OER
Rosa Parks
Students examine the actions of Rosa Parks. They identify the reasons why philanthropy is good for the community and individuals. They write a letter to someone they admire because of their qualities.
Curated OER
Quilting the Past and Present
Students construct a quilt using symbols of the past and present. In this communities lesson, students interview an older adult and discuss the history of their community. Students create a quilt.
Curated OER
Opposites
Students choose a category to discuss and write down the name of an activity that represents the various characteristics. They record their responses on a class sheet and discuss how it feels when someone disagrees with them. They...
Curated OER
Anti-Arab Stereotypes, Discrimination and Hate Crimes
Students discuss the stereotypes they have heard mentioned against the Arab community. Using examples, they identify the uses of discrimination, hate crimes or stereotyping these individuals. As a class, they discuss ways to prevent...
Curated OER
Earth: The Source of Resources
Students study responsible stewardship and natural resources. In this natural resources lesson, students share their motto's about the environment with the class. Students then discuss the regulations in 'Rules and Regulations for...
Curated OER
Poll Positions
Students analyze and graph the results of a nationwide New York Times poll about race in the United States. They poll people in their community regarding their views and experiences, and compare and contrast local and national poll data.
Curated OER
Jane Addams -- Philanthropist in Action
Students examine the philanthropic actions of Jane Addams and discuss why she is seemed as a role model of being a responsible citizen. They organize different types of volunteer opportunities and create ways to serve the common good in...
Curated OER
If These Walls Could Talk: Seeing a Culture Through Human Features
Students read Talking Walls and discuss the walls presented and their importance to the culture. In this geography instructional activity, students locate and label each country/continent discussed in the book on a world map. Students...
Curated OER
Stories of Life in Canada
Learners examine Canadian history through William Kurelek's artwork. In this art analysis instructional activity, students discuss the ideas expressed in the picture book A Prairie Boy's Winter and A Prairie Boy's Summer. Learners view...
Curated OER
Al Capone Does My Shirts
Young scholars are introduced to the novel "Al Capone Does My Shirts". Using primary source documents, they identify the unique geographical differences between where they live and the setting in the novel. They complete a Venn diagram...
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Saving and Investing: Building Wealth for Financially-Secure Futures
While spending is fun, saving for a retirement is the future. Young adults learn about the importance of saving and different opportunities to do so during their adulthood.
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Credit and Debt: Understanding Credit Reports and Managing Debt
Credit cards are tempting to use right out of high school. Teach your upperclassmen the benefits and challenges of credit and how it can affect their future. The lesson covers credit scores and ways to strengthen credit if learners find...
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Planning and Money Management: Financial Plan
More planning goes into a budget than a high schooler thinks. Here, they learn about the expected expenses and incomes, along with outside factors such as natural disasters. Learners prepare their own budget and adjust it based on the...
PricewaterhouseCoopers
The Stock Market
Keep or sell? Young learners simulate as buyers in the stock market while learning about the benefits and important factors to know when purchasing. The thorough resource allows for observation of case studies and provides an assessment...