Young scholars hone their skills at identifying the principle story in a work of art and text. Through discussion, students assess the central and supporting stories of a work of art that is characterized by multiple layers of action and...

Included in this resource are a variety of activities to do while reading Willa Cather's My Antonia. The activities, which range from mapping out Nebraska to writing activities about pioneer living, are all designed with one...

“There is no story that is not true.” And Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, uses proverbs (“. . .the palm-oil with which words are eaten”), a compelling tragic hero, and historic events, to engage readers in the truth of his story of...

The music and literature of the Harlem Renaissance defined American culture, including its poetry. Using a poem from the period, individuals explore its musical qualities and how it is reflective of the period. Then, they use what they...

Second graders are comparing and contrasting two stories, The Three Bears and Abuelo and the Three Bears. The first story is the traditional fairy tale. The second one is a different version of the story with some Spanish words and phrases.

First graders locate place of birth on a map. They identify their birthdays and place a graphing square with their birthday written on it under the corresponding month. They compare birthdays on the graph. They read "P.B. Bear's Birthday...

Students identify and define definitions of beauty and perfection in Chinese and Japanese art and compare those definitions to other cultural beliefs and societies. This instructional activity includes a two-part instructional activity...

Students read the literature of The Talisman in order to make cultural connections and investigate the concept of irony and how it is used in this Japanese text. They also discuss the issue of conformity and its relationship to the story.

Students travel the world. For this global studies lesson, students research selected countries and investigate their cultural traditions.

In this literature crossword worksheet, students complete a puzzle based on a classic piece of Christmas literature, The Night Before Christmas. Students read 36 clues and solve the puzzle without a word bank.

Eighth graders examine Native American art. In this mask making lesson, 8th graders compare mask making traditions among different cultures. Students watch a demonstration of mask making and construct a mask of their own.

Students explore American culture by reading classic literature in class. In this African-American history lesson, students read the story Zora Hurston and the Chinaberry Tree while identifying the work and contributions of the real life...

Young scholars discover Native American culture by creating masks.  For this customs lesson, students create their own masks in class from plaster and paint.  Young scholars perform a skit in front of their school showcasing...

Students research and explore Viking culture, distinguishing between fact and fiction, and examine their contribution to our society.

Ninth graders present tales and myths in the oral tradition. They discuss the African method of telling a story where each member of the group tells a part of the story. They make up a composite hero and write a story that describes...

Students engage in a activity that is about the creation and use of Jive Foil Puppets. They conduct research using a variety of resources to gather information for differences in use by different cultures. Students create their own puppets.

Students create puppets to teach concepts such as history and weather. In this Puppetmania lesson, students manipulate their puppets to show a range of emotions, facial expressions, and actions. Students design puppets and learn about...

Fourth graders make a mask of who they are as an individual after studying the Hopi Indians. In this Hopi Indians lesson plan, 4th graders compare and contrast the Hopi life with theirs, make predictions, and learn about culture.

Students study fables in a broad context. In this literary lesson on fables, students define terms unique to them. Students use a variety of technological resources to gather and classify information into three categories. Students also...

Students are introduced to Chinua Achebe's first novel and to his views on the role of the writer in his or her society. It can be used alone or in conjunction with the related lesson Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart.

Showing how folk poetry keeps alive national heritage is the stated goal of this proposal for a unit on the poetry of the Balkans.

Students respond to Mourning Dove's Coyote Stories by discovering Native American storytelling. They create a traditional lodge and write their own stories.

Tenth graders compare three Chinese folktales for their "messages" and literary techniques to see how they reflect Chinese Confucian and Taoist values. They discuss how folktales share certain subjects, characters, plots and themes.

Young scholars investigate the traditions and history around Thanksgiving. They divide into groups and research specific aspects of the holiday. Students then share their findings with the rest of the class. They also complete crafts,...