Music reflects culture and culture is reflected in popular music. Reading an article on how hip-hop has affected the lives of two young men of different races launches an investigation of the development and influences of various musical...

Students discover their families' reasons for coming to America. They view the video "Molly's Pilgrim" and discuss the story. They interview family members as to why they came to America.

Learners explore the importance of corn to the survival of early civilizations of the Americas. Through research and discussion activities, they read and describe how corn was used as food and currency in early civilizations. They...

Students explore Pre-Columbian native cultures. In this Exploration Era lesson, students define the words "primitive," "civilized," and "technology." Students consider the connotations of the words and then investigate...

Bring A Charlie Brown Christmas to social studies, language arts, math, science, and art class! Learners ponder the meaning of Christmas trees, write about Christmas during the original release of the television special,...

Fifth graders create an explorer's map. In this explorers lesson students use a map of the world as reference to draw their own map of Europe, North America, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands. The students use their maps to show...

In this teaching primary resources worksheet, students read and excerpt of an interview with Benjamin Franklin regarding taxation . Students read the excerpt and discuss its significance.

Fifth graders examine the strengths of the colonists and the British. In this American Revolution lesson, 5th graders participate in a tug-of-war game that requires them to consider the strengths of the colonists as well as the British...

Students examine the role Martin Luther King Jr. played in America's history and what life was like in the 1960's. They watch and discuss an online video about the childhood of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the holiday enacted in his...

High schoolers make a time-lines of of decades using images from Miss America.  In this history instructional activity, students looks at the country's beauty pageant and how it changes the lives of women in America.  High...

Students compare the immigrant population during the pre-Civil War era (1855) to that of today (2000 census data). They interpret circle and bar graphs comparing immigrant populations in Brooklyn yesterday and today, and create a class...

Students use electronic resources to study immigration issues, analyze immigration issues dealing with security, economics, lawfulness, culture, and human rights, and discuss possible solutions. Students then express their opinions by...

In this historical record worksheet, students read about analyzing primary sources and then complete the 3 listed activities to create their own historical accounts.

Fourth graders examine the beliefs of Manifest Destiny and its role in the California Gold Rush. They analyze a painting to gather information about Manifest Destiny.

In this English grammar learning exercise, students differentiate between the usage of the words "another," "other," and "others."  Students complete 20 fill in the blank and 3 short answer questions using the correct...

Students examine how race relations effect the kinds and amount of educational resources individual schools receive within a school district.

Students examine the role of myths and folklore in the Native American culture. They listen to examples of oral history and write their own. They share their story with the class.

In this U.S. instructional activity, students take notes in a graphic organizer as they read several passages, then answer four comprehension questions.

Students understand the meaning of a tradition and know how it is maintained. They have a general knowledge of the environment, history and culture of the Tlingit, Lakota, and Cherokee

Students understand the contributions of the Native American tribes. In this Native American lesson, recognize Native American names, words and cultures. Students understand that different tribes lived in different parts of the country....

Students view web sites about Birding. They explore how to identify species using a bird's silhouette, posture, size, flight patterns and habitat. They practice birdwatching and notetaking in the outdoors.

Young scholars investigate why 18- to 24- year-olds have a low turnout at the polls. Students develop a plan to encourage young Americans to vote, or write a persuasive essay telling why they should vote.

To compare how the Spanish, French, and English approached the exploration of North America, class groups examine primary source documents and become experts on one of four explorers: Francisco Coronado, Robert LaSalle, Samuel de...

Poetry is a very personal and introspective art form. Give your class the opportunity to understand how a poet's voice can speak to them on a personal level, and that every reader can respond to an author differently. After a poetic...