Studying the history, influences, and cognates of the English language, this presentation provides students in linguistics and language classes with several charts of information on cognates from languages around the world. The slideshow...

Learners discuss the struggles Californians dealt with regarding diversity brought about by the Gold Rush. They participate in a variety of creative, original activities and projects designed to reinforce the idea of historical diversity...

Students examine primary sources regarding Western migration. In this Manifest Destiny lesson plan, students determine why the pioneers moved west and what the trip was like as they examine sources and write journals based on their...

This lesson will help students practice conducting an oral history interview, increase knowledge about what it is like to be a soldier, gain knowledge about the Vietnam War and gain knowledge about the Chicano experience in the U.S.

Students use literature to examine how the structure of families in Mexico has changed over time. In groups, they examine how their life now relates to their ancestors and the Spanish conquest of the area. As a class, they are read...

In this World War II worksheet, students review a chapter as they write 10 vocabulary words that match 10 descriptions, eliminate 4 false sentences, and identify 2 themes from the history of the World War II era.

Students examine reasons for going to war. For this foreign policy lesson, students analyze the reasons the U.S. entered the the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the...

Fifth graders investigate the Mayan culture, number system, alphabet, hieroglyphics, history, civilization, artistry, and sports in this series of lessons.

Students discover how manifest destiny and westward expansion are related. Using the Internet, they research the beginnings of the movement of manifest destiny and how it influenced people moving westward. They discuss the expectations...

Eleventh graders examine the denial of rights to individuals in the United States.  In this American Government lesson, 11th graders study President Roosevelt's Day of Infamy speech.  Students create a presentation on the...

Sixth graders brainstorm the reasons why people would want to leave their homeland to live in the United States. In groups, they research the political representation of the Board in New Haven, Connecticut. They also write a paper on...

Students examine the history of the Cinco de Mayo holiday, its significance to Mexican people, and the battle between Mexican and French troops. They view photos of traditional Mexican costumes, make Cinco de Mayo crafts, and examine the...

Students analyze elements unique to the Chicano art form of the teatro (theater) and examine history connected to the form, namely the farm workers' movement of the 1960's.

Students explore the history of branding livestock and discover it began as early as 2000 BC. They discuss reasons for branding and then design their own brand from pipe cleaners. Students dip their brand into paint and print it on...

Students study the development of early Latin American civilizations in unit one. The second part of the unit is based on early image-making attempts from the Cro-Magnon to the Peruvian Incas. Students create their own weavings using a...

Pupils study westward expansion. In this US history instructional activity, students describe the adventures and hardships faced by the explorers known as Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Pupils write a report to the...

In this Westward Expansion worksheet, learners respond to 7 short answer questions about America's vision of Manifest Destiny and its effects.

Students, in groups, explore the impac the Gold Rush immigration had on the culture of California. They write a newspaper article from the 1850s identifying immigrant groups to California during the Gold Rush era.

Students take a field trip to the state capital, Sacramento. Using the Internet, they explain the physical and human geographic features of the area and discuss interactions between the people of California between the time of explorers...

Students are creating their own stories to understand life. The use of history is used to help one to create one's own story. The skill of writing is emphasized as a tool to learn history.

Students listen to conjunto music and identify the instrumentation. After discussing the the history of South Texas, they examine lyrics of several songs and interpret them. As extensions, students can learn to partner dance to the...

Students identify and explore complex ways that the theme of "frontiers" or socio-political borders affect Chicano identity in the US and examine notions of "resistance" and "affirmation" as a fundamental ideology in Chicano life,...

Students trace the stages of gold mining in California. They discuss the life of a gold miner and how the discovery of gold influenced towns and cities in California during the 1949 Gold Rush.