Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Art and Writing of Estelle Ishigo, Heart Mountain Internment Camp, 1942-1945

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students view images of the Heart Mountain Internment Camp created by Estelle Ishigo. They discuss the time and place portrayed in the images and create a timeline recording events related to the internment of Japanese Americans.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Greece Predicting Outcomes

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore world history by utilizing a SMART board. In this Greek history instructional activity, 6th graders read different Ancient Greece scenarios and match them with a selection from a list of probable outcomes. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

America Declares War on Germany, 1917

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Pupils explore the reasons that the United States entered World War I. In this World War I activity, students read "America Declares War on Germany, 1917," and then discuss the consequences for the U.S. entering the war.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

On the Other Side of the Color Barrier: Segregation and the Negro Leagues

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students study segregation that occurred in the past and that is currently occurring. In this equal rights lesson, students use primary source documents to student segregation of the past. In a culminating activity, students find or draw...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Primary Sources: Letters from the Presidents

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars find out about the minds and thoughts of presidents through reading their actual letters. They explore the personal lives of presidents. They answer questions about a primary source. They write essays.
Lesson Plan
Speak Truth to Power

Dalai Lama: Free Expression and Religion

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How is religious freedom connected to the conflict between China and Tibet? After reading an online passage of background information, your learners will divide into groups and both read and view an interview with the Dalai Lama. They...
Handout
ProCon

Standardized Tests

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Does the use of standardized testing improve American education? Scholars dive into the issue as they prepare to discuss the debate topic with their classmates. After reviewing the pros and cons, they watch videos to help them arrive at...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Map Skills

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the nations, battlefields, troop movement of the Germans through Belgium and the location of both fronts during World War I by creating a map. They visualize the strength of the Germans early in the war.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My Secret War - The WWII Diary of Madeline Beck: Lesson 2

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore world history by reading historical fiction. In this World War II lesson, 5th graders read the story My Secret War and identify the importance of fiction when analyzing history. Students answer study questions about...
Handout
PBS

Democracy in Action: Freedom Riders

For Students 6th - 12th Standards
This is a must-have resource for every social studies teacher covering the civil rights movement. Through an engaging video and detailed viewing guide, young historians learn about the Freedom Riders, and discover how everyday...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pictures from Korea: Shards of an Almost Forgotten Past

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the Korean War through photography. In this Korean War lesson plan, students examine photographs taken by a soldier and respond to question about them.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Oral History to Understand Immigrant History

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students use oral history to comprehend how life chaned for men, women, and childern when they immigrated to the United States. Students conduct interviews with immigrants in an attempt to interpret hardships, lifestyles, careers, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Studies of the Eastern Worlds: Cultural Maps

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders look for similarities and differences in the culture of Eastern World countries by looking at the art from each country. They test their hypothesis and assumptions through further research in the media center. Finally...
Lesson Plan
Maryland Department of Education

A Raisin in the Sun and Dreams Deferred

For Teachers 10th Standards
To conclude a study of A Raisin in the Sun and to prepare for a visit to the Lewis Museum, class members analyze Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem." Learners then draw connections to characters in the play and to their own experiences...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Colonial History: Fearless and faaithful

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students discuss reasons why early europeans immigrated to North America. Working in groups, they complete Internet activities on the PBS Website. They take a simulated voyage to the new world and rercord their actions on worksheets. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cultures and Cuisines WebQuest

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers create and present a powerpoint presentation.  In this cultures and cuisines research lesson, students select a country, interview someone from that country and visit a restaurant from that country.  High...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arriba Amigos!

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore how culture effects our world. In this culture lesson, students work in groups to do a web quest. Students gather and analyze information to decide if Mayan ruins should be destroyed to build a shopping center. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Heroism

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the concept of heroism in this lesson plan, through personal reflection, group activities and a thoughtful analysis of the documentary, HEROES OF GROUND ZERO. They explore their own understanding of what it means to be a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Canada and its Trading Partners

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students identify the relationship between Canada and its trading partners. They use two data sources, Canadian Statistics and E-STAT, on the Statistics Canada website to explore the growing importance of trade in general.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Christmas Carol Exploration

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore the history of Christmas by researching classic literature. In this holiday activity, 7th graders read the story A Christmas Carol and discuss the tone of Charles Dickens' classic literary work. Students answer...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Great Basin Tribes- Use of Land for Sustenance

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students explore four Native American tribes from Nevada. In this Native American history lesson, students identify and generate important corresponding attributes of the Southern Paiute, Northern Paiute, Washoe, and Western Shoshone...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Nureyev: After Petipa

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine dance and choreography in Russian history. In this Russian history lesson, students discover details about Russian ballet and the work of Marius Petipa as they conduct independent research and present their findings to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dreaming to Come to America

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students examine reasons for immigration to America, including economic, political, and religious considerations, and conduct research to determine immigration history of students' families and compare reasons other groups have come to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Olympic Emblems

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars study the history of Olympic emblems. In this Olympics lesson plan, students examine the Olympic designs and symbols used to represent different Olympic game years. Young scholars then collaborate to create Olympic emblems...