Curated OER
Middle Ages Diary
Students research life in the Middle Ages. They write a historical fiction diary based on a character they create. Students use the six steps to process writing to complete their diary. They orally present their diaries to the class.
Curated OER
Rave Reviews
A fun lesson that utilizes toys and persuasion! After reading the article, which was written in 2005, pull some advertisements for toys currently being sold. These will be more relevant to your middle and high schoolers. What toy is a...
Curated OER
Recurring Nightmares
Does history really repeat itself? Encourage your middle and high schoolers to answer this age-old question by reading the attached articles on the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 and the Iraq Crisis of 2002. How similar or different are...
Center for History and New Media
The Impact of the Jim Crow Era on Education, 1877–1930s
Even though American slaves were officially emancipated in 1865, the effects of slavery perpetuated throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Middle and high schoolers learn about the ways that discrimination and the Jim Crow laws...
Smithsonian Institution
Students’ Response to 9/11—A Documentary Report
Young historians research the devastating attacks of 9/11 and use that information to script their own documentaries. The follow-up activity includes recording the documentary and conducting classmate interviews,
Curated OER
Rites of Passage
High schoolers explore coming of age ceremonies. In this rites of passage instructional activity, students research spiritual, religious, and secular child and adolescent rites of passage rituals. High schoolers design personal rites of...
Curated OER
Getting the Word Out
Discuss and generate blogs in this technology lesson. Middle and high schoolers explore examples of blogs and create their own blogs. Use this lesson throughout the year to reinforce concepts from your language arts class (or any class)....
Curated OER
Down in the Dumps
After an introduction to municipal sludge, middle school ecologists consider the pros and cons of dumping in the Hudson River Canyon. The class is split into two groups: one to debate in favor or dumping and one to debate against the...
Curated OER
The Reformation
Young scholars reflect on the specific details surrounding the Reformation. In this World History lesson plan, students watch the film "Luther," then apply what they learned in their discussion on the Reformation with the film to...
Curated OER
Problem Based Inquiry Learning
Tenth graders research Nuclear Energy and Radioactivity, how is this form of energy used for the good of mankind in solving the energy crisis and the hazardous aspect of using this form of energy. They cooperatively work in groups to...
Curated OER
Looking and Learning in the Art Museum
Pupils analyze art in a museum and write an essay about the responsibilities of museum professionals. In this museum and art lesson, young scholars identify the roles of an art museum. Pupils evaluate the ability of a museum to fulfill...
Curated OER
Street Language and Learning
Students examine the type of language they use on the street in the city. In groups, they brainstorm ideas about a topic they decide on from a cluster of words. Using those ideas, they organize them into a written paper using proper...
Curated OER
Methods of Mystery
Students utilize the scientific method to discover the age of an item. In this historical dating lesson, students compare and contrast a 400 year old cabinet to one made within a few years by using carbon dating. Students complete a...
Curated OER
Return South Migration Lesson Plan
Students study the reasons so many immigrants returned to the South following the Civil Rights Movement. They examine how the former slaves influenced the cultural life in the Northern cities.
Curated OER
Novice Drivers
Young scholars explore the concept of social trade-offs in the context of graduated driver licensing. They discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the graduate licensing program.They create a list of factors that contribute to traffic...
Curated OER
A Sample of What?
Students are introduced to the connection between women and the textile industry. Using primary source documents, they complete a handout on how gender roles have changed over the years. They examine a sampler which is connected to the...
Curated OER
Night Lesson Plan: Stereotypes and Scapegoats
Students read the novel Night by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel and complete related activities. In this novel analysis lesson, students prompt write and discuss the answers. Students take notes on stereotypes and scapegoats and read how...
Curated OER
Decision Making and Teen Parenthood
Students analyze psychology by completing worksheets in class. In this decision making lesson, students identify the important choices they will need to make as they enter adulthood and discuss appropriate methods to communicating with...
Curated OER
Looking at Illuminated Manuscripts: An Illuminated Day Planner
Students examine the contents of a book of hours and then compare it to the modern day-planner. They create class day-planners/ calendars with illuminations that correspond to modern holidays and season.
Curated OER
Who Built the Pyramids?
Learners examine the two theories on how the pyramids at Giza were built. They watch a video on pyramids, take notes, and write a five-paragraph essay on how they think the pyramids were constructed.
Curated OER
Progress
Students discuss how they believe Australia has progressed over time. In groups, they use the internet to research events in the country's history. They discover how democracy in the country continues to develop and analyze the race...
Curated OER
Immigration in Nebraska
Learners will examine data and research the historical backgrounds of various ethnic immigrants. In this Immigration lesson, students will examine the impact of immigration on the state of Nebraska. Learners will research a facet of...
Curated OER
Folk Art Weather Vane
Students observe weather vanes and explore their purpose and history and create a miniature weather vane from cardboard or wood.
Curated OER
Circus Lesson
Students take part in group entertainment activities. In this circus lesson, students discuss their own memories of a circus and conduct several activities such as juggling scarves and creating balloon animals. Students discuss why...