Deliberating in a Democracy
Freedom of Expression
Should democracies include hate speech as a protected right? Scholars analyze the rights found under the First Amendment to the Constitution through researching evidence. Freedom of expression becomes the focal point of the...
City University of New York
Women's Suffrage and World War I
Democracy cannot exist where not everyone has equal rights. Discuss the state of democracy and women's suffrage during World War I with class discussions, debates, and primary source analysis, in order for class members to connect...
Judicial Branch of California
Defining Civic Duty and Participation
A lesson, geared toward older elementary scholars, combines art with social studies to explain the purpose of civic duty and how to encourage others in the community to participate. Academics create advertising campaigns to promote civic...
California Department of Education
Who Am I?
Get in touch with your sense of self! The fifth and final instructional activity in a series of college and career lessons for fifth graders reinforces the relationship between interests and career choices. Pupils play a scenario-driven...
California Department of Education
How to Succeed in Life
Is it possible that six simple traits lead to a happy, successful life? Part four of a six-part series of college and career readiness lessons examines the effects of character in determining success. Working groups discuss...
Curated OER
Manga Mania
Learners create a word web on the word "manga" through Internet research, which contains a vast array of information on the topic. They research and complete their word web, along with a classification chart, quiz, and crossword...
Curated OER
Cultural Discovery and Identity Project Generation Journey
Students create a genealogy book tracing their heritage many generations back. They examine their own ethnicity, attitudes, and self-awareness. They examine new American trends regarding family structure and ethnicity.
Curated OER
Arthur Miller and The Crucible
Young scholars investigate the dramatic elements of The Crucible. In this drama lesson, students explore the elements and themes of the Arthur Miller play as they read the play and watch performances of some of the acts. Young...
Curated OER
Comparing/Contrasting Northern Life to Southern Life
Learners compare and contrast the lives of African Americans who moved North vs. those who stayed in the South during the era of Jim Crow Laws.
Curated OER
George Lucas and the Power of Myth
Students examine the contributions of George Lucas to society. They analyze the concept of a hero, conduct Internet research on the life of George Lucas, develop a Hero Attribute Chart, and create an artistic rendering representing the...
Curated OER
Inference By Analogy
Students infer the use or meaning of items recovered from a North Carolina Native American site based on 17th-century European settlers' accounts and illustration.
Curated OER
Isamu Noguchi/Stone Sculpture
Young scholars examine the art and history of Japan and use it to help them conceptualize and create a work of art that reveals something about their own culture. They examine, interpret and analyze Noguchi's work and reveal ...
Curated OER
Shange's Novel Betsey Brown & Jazz
Students read a work of fiction and investigate literary values and structure of the work. They demonstrate understanding of the family values, cultural and historical context of the novel;
Curated OER
Yes, There Really Was a Santa!
Third graders read a selection concerning Santa Claus and the orgin of the Jolly Old Elf in the United States. They also create their own version of a new and modern Santa Claus that remain in the American culture.
Curated OER
Evolving Views about Minority Rights in the United States
Tenth graders compare and contrast majority and minority outlooks on issues. In this social justice lesson, 10th graders research majority and minority values regarding the Salem Witch Trials, Plessy v. Ferguson, the McCarthy hearings,...
Curated OER
Building Dreams??? Who is There to Help You?
Students draw conclusions regarding personality based upon story events. The evaluate personalities based upon values and speculate on the effect individuals could have upon the future. They apply this analysis of motivation to the...
Curated OER
The Void Filled by Nonprofits
Students examine the significance of nonprofit organizations in a democratic society. They conduct research on a selected nonprofit organization, complete a questionnaire, and present their findings to the class.
Curated OER
Love And Marriage
Fourth graders examine and compare Indian and American culture in order to develop a better understanding of both.
Curated OER
Through the Past, Lightly
Seventh graders engage in a variety of activities in the study of Native Americans and the times of the early explorers. They create art, write in journals, and study how art influences society.
Curated OER
Cultural and Social Transformation since 1865
Students research the evolution of cultural and social issues in areas of Westward Expansion, Immigration, and Civil Rights. They practice writing clear details with supporting evidence and examples and evaluate ways of improving drafts...
DiscoverE
Hoop Glider
Fly into an engineering lesson sure to get your scholars' interest off the ground. Young pupils create hoop gliders out of straws and paper hoops. Adjusting the size and number of the hoops lets them investigate the effect on flight...
Candace Fleming
Ben Franklin’s Almanac: Being a True Account of the Good Gentleman’s Life
Candace Fleming's award winning Ben Franklin's Almanac is the anchor text for a classroom guide that provides teachers with a cache of pre, during, and post-reading activities.
Curated OER
Social Studies: 9/11 Banners
Young scholars explore the history of flags and design banners for their communities. their designs reflect sentiments shaped by the events of 9/11. In addition, they write phrases beginning with, "being an American means..." Students...
Curated OER
Who's Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk?
Students discover the characteristics that make a hero or heroine. They also look at how society recognizes its heroes and how the nation represents its values and beliefs by researching heroes from the past and present.