PBS
Shakespeare & The Renaissance: Activity Ideas
Looking for ways to implement the words and works of William Shakespeare into your curriculum? This list of activity ideas is a great starting point, as it covers a wide range of grade levels and a wealth of online references to explore.
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The Roots of American Culture
Students explore the notion of culture and the influence of Latino culture on the U.S. They work in small groups to identify ways that Latino and non-Latino U.S. cultures have engaged in cultural 'cross-fertilization.'
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Lesson Plan on School Integration in Boston And Nantucket
Students use primary sources and timelines to begin a study of school integration; students watch "Nantucket Rock of Changes," and compare the case of Eunice Ross with the story of the Little Rock Nine.
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Inside The Harlem Renaissance
Learners explore the Harlem Renaissance to discover where, when, and why it took place and who was associated with the experience. They decide what are the most informative facts, interesting people, and events in this activity.
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The Federalist Papers
Students identify the Articles of Confederation and explain why it failed. They explain the argument over the need for a bill of rights in the Constitution and James Madison's role in securing its adoption by first Congress. Finally,...
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I Have a Metaphor
Learners locate the literary devices used in Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech. For this figurative language lesson plan, young scholars first distinguish between similes, metaphors, analogies, personification, etc....
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Historical Markers
Students read the "Chicago Tribute Markers of Distinction," and pick one famous person to write about. For this creative writing worksheet, students write about this person's home. Additionally, students pretend that 100 years from now,...
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Ladies Taking Over the Labs
Young scholars explore the lives and accomplishments of the many women who have made tremendous strides in the various fields of science.
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Contributions of Immigrants
High schoolers identify the contributions of immigrants to America. They analyze the value of these contributions as well. They discuss how these contributions affect other's personal perspectives of immigrants.
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Great Women Thinkers
Students visit the Mary Baker Eddy museum. They discover the great women thinkers of the past. They make notes and observations during their visit and share them with the class.
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Lost Lyrics of Love, Lust, and Losers
Twelfth graders explore the connection between poetry and the "real world". They are reminded of the elements used in poetic interpretation, and use them to analyze various texts.
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Women in Skiing: Winter Sports, Gender Roles, Discrimination, Women's History
Students create a newsletter about women in skiing, addressing issues of gender discrimination in sports and women's achievements.
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Imaginative Minds
Eighth graders study the lives and creations of several significant inventors as well as designing their own invention and submitting it to a mock patent process. They determine the importance of notable inventions and their impact on...
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Bill Irwin: All in a Day's Work
Students perform for an audience. In this performing arts lesson, students explore the work of actor Bill Irwin in a variety of roles. Students direct and perform a fairy tale in small groups .
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Role Models
Third graders create posters of heroes and present their findings and what they think it means to be a hero. In this role models lesson plan, 3rd graders compare heroes and describe their characteristics.
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Amazing Autobiographies
Learners read a wide range of literature from many periods in many genres to build an understanding of the many dimensions (e.g., philosophical, ethical, aesthetic) of human experience. They apply knowledge of language structure,...
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Paul Robeson: 20th-Century Renaissance Man, Hero In Any Century
Students explore several themes relevant to the life of Paul Robeson and the social, artistic, & political realities of the first half of the 20th century, identify and interview heroes in their communities, and publish profiles on...
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Take Note: Five Lessons for Note Taking Fun
Students practice note-taking skills through a variety of activities and exercises.
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Not Your Average Joe
Students explore Al Gore's choice of Senator Joseph Lieberman as his presidential running mate. They investigate other political figures who are in the religious, racial, ethnic and gender minority in the United States.
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Art Exposes
Students view examples of art forms of specific artists. They choose one artist from the country they are studying and present information along with a slide show. Studenys create their own work of art in the style of their chosen...
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Patriots of the Revolution
Fifth graders identify causes and effects of historical events in the American Revolution. They evaluate critical issues and events that led to the American Revolution. Analyze the views and lives of people of the Revolutionary Period.
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Decades of Drama
Pupils explore, examine and study August Wilson's 10-play series where each play focuses on a particular decade. They discuss each play in depth and then speculate on the possible plots for an eleventh play set in the 21st century.
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Turn of the Century
Students explore the transformation of America's economy in response to the Industrial Revolution in terms of patterns of agricultural and industrial development relating to climate, natural resource use, markets and trade.
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Snowy Owl Adaptations
Pupils explore the adaptations that are made by the snowy owl. They discuss why these adaptations are necessary and how they protect the owl. Students create a snowy owl puppet.