Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Art and Culture of the Afro-American

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Your high schoolers will examine the community in which they live and discuss with the class. Using the Internet, they identify the importance of African-American art and how it relates to the African-American culture. Individually, they...
Lesson Plan
Ford's Theatre

How Perspective Shapes Understanding of History

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The Boston Massacre may be an iconic event in American history, but perhaps the British soldiers had another point of view. Using primary sources, including reports from Boston newspapers and secondary sources from the British...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arab Americans: In the Aftermath of the Terrorist Attacks on the U.S.

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students examine the effects of the terrorist attacks in 2001. In this instructional activity on discrimination and the dangers of stereotyping, students will expand their understanding of stereotyping in contemporary society and compare...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Lesson: Immigration

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Many of your class members will have heard of Executive Order 9066 and the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Some may even recognize the terms “Issei” and “Nisei,” but few will have heard of Enemy Alien Hearing Boards, of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poetry: A Mirror in Which to See Myself

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders focus on their self-esteem and strengths while reading poetry. In groups, they research the contributions and achievements of African-Americans and discuss how they overcame obstacles. They are read a poem, define new...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Religion in Public Schools

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the presence of religion in public institutions. For this ethics lesson, students focus on one aspect of the presence of religion in public institutions, and the controversy surrounding religion in the public schools....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My School Job

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders discuss why classrooms have helpers to complete everyday tasks. In groups, they participate in a role-play activity in which they complete the assigned tasks. To end the instructional activity, they complete a worksheet in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Harlem Renaissance: Pivotal Period in the Development of Afro-American Culture

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine the time period of the Harlem Renaissance. In groups, they compare and contrast the type of art before and after the movement along with the state of society at the time. After reading a book on the topic of their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bridging the Centuries: Teaching the Nineteenth Century English Novel Today

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Young scholars compare and contrast the elements used in the 19th century British novel and those novels in American society today. In groups, they brainstorm what it might have been like to be a teenager growing up in England during...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Journey to Topaz, a Literature Based Approach

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students view a video clip of the experiences of Japanese-Americans during World War II. They read parts of a book in which a child tells her story about living in the internment camps. They participate in a simulation activity as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who Was Contraband?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the role of African-Americans in the Civil War. Using primary sources, they analyze the material and formulate their own opinions about the past. They write journal entries to share their opinions on photographs from the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

New Perspectives On Teaching Afro-American History

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine the Great Migration of African Americans to the North from the South. After reading a primary source document, they respond to the letter given a set of questions. In groups, they research the funding for white and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living to Avoid The Criminal Justice System

For Teachers K - 12th
Students brainstorm a list of negative stereotypes in the African-American society. In groups, they develop ways to decrease the chance of them living in poverty and being in trouble with the law. They develop ways to solve problems...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Invisible People: American Art and Literature Represents the Marginalized and Disenfranchised

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view various pieces of art and sculptures which demonstrates people who are marginalized and invisible. While viewing the art, they are read excerpts of different pieces of literature in which they determine why the author or...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Progression of Political Movements

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the various political parties throughout history. In groups, they are given documents identifying the platforms of the parties in the 1868 election. To end the lesson, they share their information with the class and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cajuns: Natives with a Difference!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the immigrant experiences of various culture groups. Using this information, they work together to compare and contrast these experiences with those of the Cajuns. As a class, they define ethnic group and research the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Little Rebellion Now and Then Leads to Archival Material

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students examine the American Revolution and the Articles of Confederation. They, in groups, participate in different activities.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In His Own Words: James Madison On the Problem of Faction

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students are introduced to the writings of James Madison and explain why he is often called "The Father of the Constitution". Using primary source documents, they examine his view of the Bill of Rights and what he meant by faction. In...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History of the American West

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders research early mining in California. They study the "placer method" for mining gold, which is surface mining that does not involve tunneling. They examine what it was like for the early miners to pan for gold with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Black Skin, White Justice: Race Matters in the Criminal Justice System

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the effects of race in the criminal justice system. As a class, they brainstorm a list of instances when the offender has been an African American and he is not treated fairly in court based on his race. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

OK in Oklahoma? All-Black Communities

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read to discover the African-American migration to Oklahoma following the Civil War and the eventual settlements of thirty-two all-black towns. To present their findings, students will write position papers and participate in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My School Goal (Part1)

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders share their accomplishments and how they felt when they reached their final goal. In groups, 3rd graders brainstorm ideas and goals. They discuss personal goals, both short term and long term. They list steps in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Who's Who In Black History

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the life and achievements of promident African-Americans. As a class, they participate in acting out various scenes of a play which represents the Civil Rights era. They discuss how the world might be different...
Unit Plan
California Polytechnic State University

Australian Geography Unit

For Teachers 7th - 9th Standards
At the heart of this resource is a beautifully detailed PowerPoint presentation (provided in PDF form) on the overall physical geography of Australia, basic facts about the country, Aboriginal history, and Australia culture and lifestyle.