Curated OER
9/11 Backlash: Being Muslim In America
Discover the experience of being Muslim in America. In this diversity lesson, watch "9/11 Backlash: Being Muslim in America," and research how Muslims are portrayed in American television and movies. Debate the media portrayal of Muslims.
National Constitution Center
Born in the U.S.A: Music as Political Protest
Though often used in shows of patriotism, Bruce Springsteen's 1985 song "Born in the U.S.A." is critical of America's role in the Vietnam war and its treatment of American veterans. High schoolers analyze the song's lyrics in an activity...
Northern Nevada Council for the Social Studies
What Are the Origins and Influences of Rap Music?
Considered an American art form, rap has its roots in places from Jamaica to the Bronx. Using a series of readings, comprehension questions, and videos, scholars explore the history of rap and its connections to the African diaspora....
Center for Civic Education
Historical Analysis of Constitutional Amendments
Each of the 27 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution were adopted within specific economic, political, social or cultural, and international contexts. As part of their Constitution Day/Week studies, seniors investigate these factors for...
Curated OER
Lesson: Contemporary Tribal Designs
There is a lot to be learned from a horse. Kids analyze a contemporary tribal design found on a large installation piece. Then they create tribal designs of their own that show similarities and difference between cultures and time...
Curated OER
Regional and Social Dialects
Both humorous and fascinating, dialects of the English language are a never-ending source of cultural studies in America. This presentation details characteristics and vocabulary of Eastern U.S. dialects, Southern dialects, and Western...
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
What Ben Read
Just what did Ben Franklin read? By juxtaposing Ben Franklin’s reading material as a young man with an analysis of his developed ideas, learners gain the opportunity to see how the influences of his youthful reading played out. Roman,...
Smithsonian Institution
Black Diamond
Score a home run with this packet of information on the very first player of the Negro League to be elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame — cultural groundbreaker and sports legend Satchel Paige. These worksheets include a...
Curated OER
The Harlem Renaissance: Awakening the Black Soul
Eleventh graders explore, examine and study about the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on the American culture. They assess and explain how the Harlem Renaissance was a "rebirth" for the African American culture through art, music, and...
Curated OER
Nevada Native Seasonal Activities
Here is an excellent series of lessons on the Paiute Indians of Nevada. In them, learners see that the four Native Tribes of Nevada respected and depended on their natural environment. They had four distinct ways of life according to the...
Literacy Design Collaborative
"New American Characters" - Analyzing the Impact of Cultural Change in "The Great Gatsby"
Learners annotate text from The Great Gatsby before working through a character development map. They then use text evidence in a final essay to describe the connection between central ideas and character development.
US House of Representatives
Legislative Trends and Power Sharing Among Hispanic Americans in Congress, 1977–2012
Bilingual education, voting rights, and Congressional redistricting come up often in the news. Explore these topics from another view—the perspectives of Hispanic members of Congress. Activities include an article with comprehension and...
Curated OER
Rain Dance
Students identify part of the Native American culture and perform a "rain dance".
Curated OER
Philanthropic Beliefs of Native Americans
Students examine the tradition of giving and sharing in early Native American communities. In this philanthropy lesson, students define the term philanthropy, list 3 traditions of Native American giving and sharing, and identify 3...
Curated OER
Dramatizing Folktales, Legends and Myths
Learners read different folktales from Native American cultures. They work together to act out different scenes. They discover the difference between folktales, legends and myths.
Curated OER
Beauty of the Harvest
Students collect information from Beauty of the Harvest and Native American culture to determine what women accomplished in their daily lives. After organizing and thoughtfully considering this information, students create their own...
Curated OER
Why Not Fabric?
Students investigate art from Native American culture by creating fabric. In this native art analysis instructional activity, students identify the art of Plains Indians and discuss how it is represented in their fabrics, beads and...
Curated OER
Grappling with Identity in Latino Poetry
Students identify some common themes involving the Latino immigrant experience as conveyed through a variety of media, explore issues of identity in some examples of poetry written by Latinos and learn some basic poetry reading strategies.
Curated OER
Dream Catchers
Students create Native American dream catchers to represent the Native American culture. After reading and discussing the origin of the Dream cather, they begin to construct their dream catchers using wire hoops, thread, beads, and...
Curated OER
The Muskogees
Second graders read a story from their textbook about the Muskogee (Creek) Native American Indian tribe. They discuss various aspects of Native American culture--specifically that of the Muskogee tribe. They explore online resources,...
Curated OER
What is An American?
Students consider American values. In this individual responsibility instructional activity, students discuss democratic ideals that the nation was founded on and participate in an activity that requires them to create "What is an...
Curated OER
Native American Research Project Presentations
Pupils research various Native American tribes. In this Native American history lesson, students follow the provided rubric to create research presentations on the cultures of selected Native American tribes.
Curated OER
The Nacerima
Young scholars explore different cultures by reading an article on the Naceriman culture and then comparing it with various aspects of the American culture. This allows students to create their own ideas about how different cultures...
Curated OER
Quinceaneras
Students explore traditions which are celebrated in Quinceaneras. They examine the Latin American culture, its beliefs and value systems. Students analyze vocabulary words. They write a story about Quinceaneras.