Curated OER
1776: The American Revolution in the Champlain Valley
Students examine the significance of Lake Champlain in the Revolutionary War. In this American Revolution lesson, students discuss how Lake Champlain was integral to the war, create war time lines, and identify the 13 original colonies.
Curated OER
Tutors & Readers Theater
Students complete literacy service learning projects. In this literacy lesson, older students work with younger students to tutor them in reading and writing. They help prepare a Readers Theater for the younger students.
Curated OER
The Jim Crow Era
Students examine how African-Americans were affected by the Great Depression. In this African-American history lesson, students conduct independent research on the social conditions of the time period using the suggested resources....
Mississippi Whole School Initiative
Dream Big...With Your Eyes Wide Open
For many people, Barack Obama's presidency was the next step in Martin Luther King, Jr's dream of America's future. Explore the dreams of Americans past and present, as well as the young Americans in your class, with a set of activities...
The Kennedy Center
Fairy Tale Variations
Here are two great lessons that work together and are inspired by the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods. Young writers and actors will retell the story of "The Frog Prince" through games, improvisational script writing, and song....
Smithsonian Institution
Battle of the Bulge: America Responds to a German Surprise
World War II and the Battle of the Bulge are the focus of a history resource. Exercises include analyzing images, writing letters in the mindset of a soldier, and even immersing oneself in a cold experience to better empathize with the...
Curated OER
Introduction to Musical Theater
Students made oral presentations of a famous muscial theater performance. They research the musical, view selections, and listen to music.
Curated OER
Colonial America Introduction
Students watch a teacher presented Readers Theater about Colonial America to introduce the students to the topic. In this Colonial America lesson, 4th graders recreate a timeline of early American history, using unconventional...
Curated OER
Freedmen's Bureau
Young scholars examine the African American experience after they received their freedom after the Civil War. They complete a Mind Map, read and analyze a poem, and write a paragraph using key vocabulary words. They analyze the impact of...
Curated OER
Giving Voice to History
Students examine the plight of Japanese Americans during World War II. In this World War II instructional activity, students participate in a mock evocation simulation, research primary and secondary documents about internment camps, and...
Curated OER
The Great American Bank Robbery
Students examine the economic crisis of 2008. In this banking bailout lesson plan, students read the provided articles "Nicole Bradbury: Robo-Signer Victim," and "Bankers' Sloppy and Illegal Work." Students respond to the provided...
Curated OER
New York City: Passionate About Shakespeare
Students explore Shakespeare as part of American culture. In this Shakespearean culture activity, students view video clips about modern theater. Students read excerpts from Shakespearean plays and other commentaries.
Curated OER
Studying The American Musical Theatre
Students discover the group dynamics necessary to produce an American musical in this six day lesson. Themes and characterization techniques are explored during collaborative small group research projects.
Civil War Trust
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Through a careful reading and examination of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin, scholars take part in grand conversations about the novel's contents, slavery, and the impact the book had on it. Furthermore, learners analyze an...
Curated OER
Sondheim: Voice of Cultural Change
Students explore Stephen Sondheim's contributions to musical theatre in the context of the dramatic cultural shift that occurred in American life in the late 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.
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 assessment...
Curated OER
Word Family Activities and American Symbols
In this word family and American symbols worksheet, students learn about word families and American symbols. They complete an activity in which they create real and nonsense words by combining sounds of the alphabet with 7 different word...
Curated OER
From Page to Stage
Students, utilizing video clips and Web sites, compare specific passages from original texts to moments in Broadway musicals on which they were based, analyzing similarities and differences between them. They adapt literature into a...
Teaching Tolerance
Understanding the Prison Label
Break the chain. An engaging lesson examines why it is so hard to break free of the prison system in the US. Academics participate in a reader's theater, read primary sources, and discuss their thoughts. The lesson explains the hardships...
Core Knowledge Foundation
Unit 8: Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac Teacher Guide
Joseph Bruchac's Code Talker tells the remarkable story of Navajo Marines' role in battles of the Pacific Theater during World War II. As scholars read the novel, they also engage in activities that expand their knowledge of Navajo...
Curated OER
"Hey, Mr. Producer!"
Students examine the economic roller coaster involved in the production of a Broadway musical. They read online articles to investigate similarities and differences between nonprofit theater production and Broadway, or commercial,...
Curated OER
Longhouse Spirits Lesson Plan
Students study the Native American nations that reside in the Pacific Northwest. They work with the traditional Raven stories to make a puppet theater in the form of a replica longhouse. Next, they make a spirit shape that is...
Charlesbridge
Under the Freedom Tree: A Readers Theater
Susan VanHecke's Under the Freedom Tree is transformed into a 12-part readers theatre script appropriate for a performance by upper-elementary classes.
Curated OER
It's About You
Students build connections between census information and community decision-making by reading a reader's theater script. In this reader's theater lesson, students practice reading fluently and learn about the government. The reader's...