Curated OER
Explorers of the New World: Learning About Major Explorers of the New World
Students investigate the principal explorers of the New World and the contributions that they made to the European knowledge about America, the development of rivalries, and the effects on Native American cultures.
National First Ladies' Library
Michigan vs. Ohio State: A Serious Rivalry!
Middle schoolers discuss and research the pros and cons of school rivalries. In particular, they study the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. Through their research, they think about how media accounts of college football games can be shaped...
Curated OER
Sibling Rivalry / Birth Order
Students discover that the order in which children are born into a family has an influence on the development of the child. They list the positive and negative characteristics that affect family relationships and discuss how birth order...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Family Relationships
Students discuss the negative and positive aspects of family relationships. Among topics examined are sibling rivalry and birth order. On a family unit notes worksheet, students record information, such as the eight stages and...
Curated OER
Family Relationships
Students examine the various types of family relationships. In groups, they analyze sibling rivalry, birth order, positive and negative aspects of relationships in general. To end the lesson, they complete a short quiz on this...
Curated OER
A Separate Peace
Students work in small groups to create a word web or other graphic organizer that explores one or more of the following words: rivalry, peace, trust, suspicion, or impulse. They discuss the pros and cons of "healthy competition."
Curated OER
Creating a Nation
Students investigate the move to federation by the Australian colonies was abject of the displays of nationalism that characterized similar movements in other nations. Most notions regarding federation were treated with little serious...
Curated OER
Introduction To The European Union
A lot happened to European economics, policy, and social systems after WWII. This 24 page social studies packet provides images, reading passages, comprehension questions, and critical thinking questions regarding all things Europe from...
Smithsonian Institution
Cuban Missile Crisis
The United States—specifically John F. Kennedy—played a large role during the Cuban Missile Crisis. A history resource poses questions that encourage critical thinking as well as in-depth analysis of images from the time period.
Curated OER
Teacher Notes
Gathering information, distinguishing between arguments, preparing an oral presentation; these skills are fostered as 10th graders explore aspects of global trade and politics. They use the Internet to gather information about NATO, The...
Curated OER
An Empire in the Balance
Eleventh graders investigate the role of New York state during the American Revolution. In small groups, they research a particular region within colonial America, analyze primary source documents, complete Document Analysis Sheets, and...
Curated OER
The Causes and Course of the First World War
Use this twelve-day lesson plan to teach about the causes and courses of WWI. Each day scholars attend lectures, complete creative activities, and hold round table discussions on what they've learned. Web links and resources are...
Curated OER
Economic Goals and Measuring Activity
Explore the role of government in the economy market. Young scholars analyze the economic decision-making process and how it takes into consideration additional cost, benefits, and public awareness of what they are trying to accomplish....
Lee & Low Books
First Come the Zebra Teacher’s Guide
Accompany a reading of First Come the Zebra written and illustrated by Lynne Barasch with a teacher's guide equipped with before reading, vocabulary, and after reading activities. Additional social studies,...
Tune Into English
America – West Side Story
Anita's iconic rooftop ode to American life in West Side Story is the focus of a lesson on immigration. As class members listen to "America," they follow along with printed lyrics, and discuss whether they agree with Anita's...
Curated OER
Two Cultures, One Home: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Over Land in the Middle East
Examine the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Learners research the 50 Years War and analyze the conflict through the point of view of both sides They attempt to develop a plan to bring peace to the region of Israel.
Curated OER
Greek Geography
A riddle and a class lecture kick off this lesson on Greek Geography and city features. Learners use a worksheet to answer questions related to what they learned in lecture and complete a homework assignment. Note: This is a lesson...
Curated OER
Remembering the Forgotten War
Ninth graders examine the major events and significance of the Korean War, including U.S. involvement in the war. In this World History lesson plan, 9th graders read primary source materials to understand the political, social,...
Curated OER
Alliance Game, International Alliances
Ninth graders play the Alliance simulation game, which allows them to explain how alliances made before WWI influenced the makeup of the war and its outcome.
Curated OER
Lesson 4. Killing Fields
Eleventh graders describe several of the WWI's bloodiest battles, track the battles' progression to determine advances made by leading nations, and write frontline journalistic accounts of one or more of the battles.
Curated OER
What Does That Flag Mean?
Students describe how symbolism is used in flags as they research the symbolism in country flags and create a new flag design. They begin investigating the meaning behind the Olympic flag and then continue with the flags of South Africa...
Curated OER
Baseball Memories
Students act as historians by, first, reading and analyzing oral histories of professional baseball players to become familiar with baseball figures. Then, they proceed to interview family members, relatives, or neighbors who have...
Curated OER
Writing and Sharing Community Stories
Learners use interviewing skills to explore and express the culture of their community. In this literacy/writing lesson plan, students interview a community member as a basis for a biographical writing project. Each class member...
Curated OER
The First American Party System: Federalists and Democratic-Republicans: The Platforms They Never Had
Students investigate the beginnings of the political party system in the US. They determine the key positions of both the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans. They compare the views of the early political parties with those of today.