Teaching Ideas
Victorian Fashion Detectives
The distinctive attire of royalty, working class, and peasants of the Victorian era conveys much about the conditions of the time. Learn more about why people dressed as they did, and how their fashion changed during the 64-year reign of...
Oxfam
Sweatshops - Exploitation Is Never in Fashion
Here's a resource that brings home the idea that we are all part of a global community, that our actions have far reaching consequences. Class members examine the labels in their clothes, create a list of the manufacturers, the countries...
Curated OER
Victorian Fashion Detectives
A rare lesson plan on fashions that were in vogue during the Victorian era. Learners discover what types of clothes both rich and poor people of this time period wore. They see how fashions changed during the reign of Queen Victoria, and...
Curated OER
ARTSEDGE: Creating Costumes
Young designers examine famous monarch portraits and costume books, create a design for the emperor, examine fabric samples and choose a type and color for their costume. They sketch the costume and present it in a class fashion show.
Curated OER
First Lady Fashions
Sixth graders research and explore the fashion of a certain time while identifying with the personal convictions and tastes of the famous first ladies of the past. They practice what they explore adjectives to describe what they see and...
Curated OER
Multicultural Attire
Students research the native attire of a chosen culture, write an essay reflecting the role of the attire in the given culture, and create a significant piece of attire from that culture that be modeled in a fashion show.
Curated OER
Skinny Models
Young scholars read a newspaper article about a fashion show in Madrid which banned the use of models under a certain weight. They define vocabulary, complete comprehension worksheets, practice the use of the words 'enough' and 'too...
Curated OER
1950’s American Culture: Television, Fashion, and Music
Sixth graders investigate the impact of popular culture on Americans. In this 1950's America lesson, 6th graders view television clips, listen to audio clips, and look over fashion photographs from the decade. Students then discuss...
iTheatrics and Broadway
School of Rock the Musical: Education Guide
That old fashioned rock and roll comes alive as theatre arts students prepare to attend a live performance of the musical School of Rock. Packed with both pre- and post-production materials, the guide has it all. Rock on!
Curated OER
Vocational: Fashion terms
Students view a Powerpoint presentation on fashion industry vocabulary and locate examples in magazines that illustrate the terms. On black construction paper, students assemble collages of the magazine pictures representing each of the...
Curated OER
Shoes: Practical vs. Fashionable
Students compare and contrast the difference between practical applications of apparel and the use of fashion as a status symbol, with a focus on shoes. Working in groups, they complete a Venn diagram comparing practical fashion to...
Curated OER
Using Primary Sources in the Classroom
Scholars study a historical photograph to make predictions of what happened right after the picture was taken. They research a variety of different topics and use primary sources to answer questions about common food, fashion trends, and...
Curated OER
Fill-In: Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj is a pop and fashion icon to today's youth. Here, they will read an article about her and what she wore to the MTV Music Awards. They read the article, then attempt to fill in the missing words from several of the paragraphs....
Curated OER
Clothing-Based Bias
Students investigate stereotypes attached to clothing. In this teaching tolerance lesson students explore how the way someone dresses can influence other people's perception of that person. Students discuss what groups of people might be...
Curated OER
Lunch Pail
Explore a 1900s lunch pail. In this oral language and 1900s history lesson, students view a photograph of an old-fashioned lunch pail. Students describe the object and make predictions about what it is and its possible uses. Students...
Curated OER
Becoming a Member of an 1830s Family
Students compare and constrast life in an 1830s family verses a modern family. They role play the position of a family member in 1830 while wearing traditional clothing for the time period. They write journal entries to show their daily...
Curated OER
Unit Two: The French Revolution and Napoleon
Have your class define, examine, and explore the causes and effects of the French Revolution. The presentation is organized so that students will be able to take effective notes on each topic covered. Critical thinking is promoted...
Curated OER
Archaeology For Kids Quiz 56
In this archaeology for kids quiz 56 worksheet, students interactively answer 4 multiple choice questions about fashion history as part of an online magazine.
Curated OER
The "Me" Decade: 1970
Pupils view the video on Mary Tyler Moore Show. They discuss what they notice about the treatment of Mary Tyler Moore's character in the show. Students listen to a lecture covering notes on web diagram, such as: Fads, fashion, the New...
Curated OER
The Late Middle Ages (850 to 1492 A. D.)
Learners discuss what roles the clergy, nobles and peasants played during the late Middle Ages. They explain what led to the growth of trade and towns in Western Europe. Ultimately, students describe how kings in Western Europe built...
Curated OER
Lemonade Stand: Making Money the Old-Fashioned Way
Young scholars run their own lemonade stand and are to figure out what to sell the lemonade at to gain the maximum profit.
Curated OER
Historical Witness - social Messaging
Students examine and develop artwork that shows women's roles during different eras. In this women's role lesson, students look at artwork that shows women at work during the mid-nineteenth to early twentieth century. They design a mixed...
Curated OER
Refinement in Deerfield: The River Gods
Students research the town of Deerfield, CT and its River God families to show how the middle class developed in the Connecticut River Valley.
Curated OER
You Are What You Wear
Learners, after analyzing interactions between groups/societies, effects of causality/change over time, forms of imaginative writing and utilizing art media to conveying messages/meaning, examine the relationship between clothing and...