Students explore historical information about U.S. national parks using the stories of Edward and Margaret Gehrke as a primary source document. In this United States geography, history, and literacy lesson, students view the diary...

Students view original design drawings of the White House and discuss ways it has been changed. They view images of the white house from specified dates and discuss the changes that were made from one to the other, as well as reasons for...

High schoolers complete a unit of lessons on Muckraking literature. They listen to and discuss a teacher-led discussion, read and analyze examples of Muckraking literature, conduct Internet research, and write a report on the attitudes...

Pupils examine an original engraving of a piece of equipment called, The Grasshopper Catcher. They describe how technologies developed in Iowa during the Industrial Revolution influenced farming practices, and develop hypotheses about...

Students use photos, maps and reading materials to examine the history and role of Mount Auburn Cemetery. They analyze the landscape of the cemetery, consider how it affects visitor's emotions and feelings and then design an original...

Pupils examine the abolitionist movement in Salem. Exploring the contributions of the Remond family, they identify how they made the issue one of national and international importance. They discuss the views of the south and how...

Sixth graders design and compose a picture that conveys a specific emotion or feeling, and recognize the use of emotion in a variety of artworks using crayons and/or pastels. They experiment and manipulate elements of art including, line...

Students watch the PBS program "In the Mix" about teen immigrants. They discover the number of immigrants in America and their problems moving to this country. They answer questions as the film plays.

Seventh graders explore the role of women. They contrast their empowerment from Confederation until 1920. They compare that to the role and empowerment of women in today's society through their own experiences, media, and music.

Students explore the culture and history of Pakistan. In this Pakistan lesson, students compare their lives to the live of Pakistanis as they locate it geographically and research the lives of teens there. Students examine the culture of...

Students explore the concept of racism.  For this character building lesson, students read a biography about a hero Matthew Henson.  Students discover the challenges he, and others, faced during a time of unfairness. 

Fifth graders use a real life scenario of the wetlands to gather information on creatures of the habitat.  In this wetlands instructional activity, 5th graders research the interdependence of organisms in a healthy habitat. Students...

Middle schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. For this immigration lesson, students conduct research related to the movement of French Canadians to England. Middle...

Sixth graders investigate Germany during World War II. In this world history lesson, 6th graders research the Nazi's during World War II writing a summary of what they find after listening to the story known as The Butterfly.

High schoolers examine dance and choreography in Russian history. In this Russian history lesson, students discover details about Russian ballet and the work of Marius Petipa as they conduct independent research and present their...

Students create a "class quilt" using techniques learned from the study of Asian textile practices in this six-day lesson plan for upper-elementary school. This lesson plan requires parent volunteers.

Pupils study the Beaux-Arts System. In this art history lesson, students explore French art between the years of 1848-1870. This lesson was written to accompany a field trip to the Musee d'Orsay.

Students explore how their community has also had various waves of immigration over the years. It asks students to visit a local cemetery and examine the names and dates on the headstones to find evidence of who lived in the community...

Eleventh graders analyze the writings of Frances Hard and Ida B. Wells and outline their positions and attitudes towards segregation and lynching. They utilize Wells' and Hard's arguments to explore lynching, racial attitudes in the...

Students compare and contrast experiences of European immigrants and African American migrants in U.S. cities. After examining the topic, they write essays evaluating the differences and similarities of the groups' experiences.

Students study the historical and social issue of child labor. They examine the photographs of Lewis Hine to see evidence of child labor and decide how the photographs depict the historical impact of the practice. They write a letter to...

Students discuss contemporary situations in which governments mistreat people. They examine real-life instances in which people break the law for what they believe is a higher good. They role play a variety of human rights injustices.

Students examine maps, readings, photos, drawings and political cartoons in order to describe the personality and character of Martin Van Buren as reflected by his lifestyle. They identify Van Buren's political views and political issues...