Students explore the connections between tradition and language. They examine the environment, history and culture of the Tlingit, Lakota and Cherokee tribes and identify the importance of maintaining languages for oral traditions.

As an introduction to a discussion of Kwanzaa, this fun and colorful video of Elmo dancing to an African beat is the terrific tool!

Youngsters share ideas about cultural and/or spiritual rituals by participating in a fishbowl discussion, which explores the ways rituals have changed over time. They write reflective essays about their own cultural traditions.

Combine art and writing in a activity about legends. After viewing Inuit art, class members examine their own cultural surroundings in order to write and visually represent a legend. Individuals are invited to take the creative reins...

Ninth graders research the cultural implications of wedding celebrations around the world. They study wedding celebrations before creating world map on which they place an appropriately attired wedding couple on the country they studied....

Students research the traditions of harvest celebrations and festivities. They choose one country and explore what fruits and vegetables grow there. Afterward, students paint coffee filters in fall leaf colors and then design paintings...

Students gather information about the Hindu festival of Diwali. They discuss Diwali traditions in India. Students work in pairs to create Lakshmi's footprint decorations to celebrate the holiday. They are told that Diwali, is the...

Students study the Gullah culture by watching a video about Gullah, Gullah Island. They discuss the customs and crafts of the people such as basket weaving, food preparation, pottery, and quilt making. While working in centers, they make...

Students examine and explore cultural traditions that make their own families unique. In groups, they discuss traditions, write about the similarities and differences in the group, and interview other students.

Young scholars discover the impact of cultural intolerance in their own lives. Using the information from other cultures, they compare and contrast their own to the ones they are unfamiliar with and report their findings to the class....

Students read OGBO: Sharing Life in an African Village by Ifcoma Onyefulu. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study of Nigerian culture. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social...

Sixth graders discuss some of the earliest people who lived in each region in order to comprehend how humans interacted with the environmental conditions at that time. They make connections to present-day regions including...

Students explore their own culture and the culture of their classmates.

Middle schoolers compare and contrast ancient and modern Olympic games. In this study of cultures and writing lesson, students brainstorm examples of "traditions", then view video clips and read articles about the origin of the Olympics....

Second graders explore the holidays of different cultures. In this culture instructional activity, 2nd graders knowledge about various holidays. Students play a matching game with the name of the holiday and the description. Students...

Students explore the concept of "culture." In this cross curriculum literacy and world history lesson plan, students listen to a letter written by a child from Namibia, then compare and contrast life in Africa with their own life....

Students discover facts about the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead. In this compare and contrast lesson, students explore Halloween and the Day of the Dead. Students create an alter to memorialize a family member or friend that has...

Students explore traditions of Louisiana. In this culture instructional activity, students discuss the traditions, food and culture of Louisiana. Students video themselves singing the state song to share with parents.

Fifth graders research a country and compare it with the United States. In this traditions lesson, 5th graders brainstorm and chart their own holiday traditions. Students compare and contrast their countries traditions with American...

Students learn about Mexican Independence Day.  In this Hispanic Heritage instructional activity, students learn about holidays in Hispanic countries specifically looking at their days of independence.  Students read information about...

Third graders explore art that reflects their cultural background. In this writing and research lesson students compare and contrast the Halloween with El Dia de los Muertos. Students study the visual art of these holidays. Then students...

Everyone celebrates traditions in different ways. Young writers share the ways their families celebrate Thanksgiving with a journal writing prompt and discussion activity.

Students examine the time period of the Harlem Renaissance. As a class, they are introduced to five artists and discuss their art and techniques. Using the internet, they also research the philosophers of the time period and how...