Curated OER
Post- Modernism
Learners participate in a lesson that investigates post-modernism in American literature. They conduct the lesson with the help of reading "America" by Ginsberg to create context. Then students define the genre and the culture that has...
Curated OER
Social Activism In The United States
Students explore justice issues. In this social activism lesson, students watch "Social Activism in the United States," and then locate newspaper articles from the 1960's and 1970's about events during the era.
Curated OER
Old Mayan Mural
Young scholars read a story called Scientists Discover Oldest Mayan Mural and answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about it. In this current events Mayan mural lesson plan, students respond to literature by answering questions,...
Curated OER
Lewis and Clark Encounters with Native Americans
Students research what the exchange was between the various Native American groups and Lewis and Clark. They are able to write reflections after truly considering the issue with the help of research.
Facing History and Ourselves
Emmett Till: Examining the Choices People Made
The choices made by Roy Bryant and J.W. Millam, the men who murdered Emmett Till in 1955, are usually the ones people ponder when they examine the case. But other individuals made choices that contributed to the event and its subsequent...
Curated OER
What Should I Wear Today? Pilgrims Didn't Ask
Second graders compare the clothing of today with the everyday dress of the Pilgrims.
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Day of the Dead
Students explore Day of the Dead, also called "Dia de los Muertos," which is a holiday (or festival) celebrated in Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, and other areas in Central and South America populated with the Latino ethnic background.
Curated OER
How to Celebrate the 800th Anniversary of the Mogol Empire
Students research information on the Mongolian Empire from various readings and online videos of primary sources and create a poster for oral presentation. Students connect history with the current day, while incorporating geographical,...
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Immigration in the Connecticut River Valley
Young scholars discuss and compare immigration during the 18th century to the Connecticut River Valley to that in America during the turn of the century.
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Artist Unknown
Students examine how Lennie Gardner's process of discovery about his bronze mask parallels a personal discovery process. They receive an introduction to the art, history, and religion of Benin
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The Changing Union
Fourth graders analyze a document and make assessment and historical prediction based on the text. In this establishment of American government lesson plan, 4th graders analyze a poem and discuss the climate of the Union in the early...
Curated OER
New England Colonials: John Stebbins and Ebenezer Wells (1691-1758)
Tenth graders learniabout life in Deerfield during growth period through the examination of artifacts and documents of Stebbins and Wells.
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Panama Canal
Students investigate a way to sail a boat around the world without touching land while learning about the Panama Canal. In this Panama Canal lesson plan, students learn about the relationship of socio-political continents and how the...
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The Information Revolution: A Hypothetical Case
Students consider the implications of the information revolution. In this information age instructional activity, students discuss informatics and the misuse of information. Students form a fictional bureau of information control and...
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Come On Over To Maya Place
Fifth graders analyze the Mayan culture. For this Mayan culture lesson, 5th graders study the Mayan culture noting similarities and differences between the Mayan culture and their own. Students examine hieroglyphic writing and the Mayan...
PBS
Baseball: The Tenth Inning - Bases Divided
Baseball is a relatively high-interest topic through which social studies classes can explore racial prejudice in the US. Video clips provide much of the background information that groups record on their handout and then share with the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
A Debate Against Slavery
Slavery is a serious topic that can be challenging for middle schoolers to study. Young scholars can see firsthand through primary sources what occurred during that time period in the United States. The third of five lessons provides...
Curated OER
PASSENGER PIGEONS: NOMADS LOST
Students explore the concept and implications of extinction using the example of the Passenger Pigeon, once an extremely abundant species that was completely eliminated by humans.
Curated OER
Modernizing a Traditional Irish Folktale
Learners write their own folktales based on "Cathal O'Cruachan and the Cowherd." In discussions they examine the animal symbolism in the story, as well as the characters, events, problems, and solution. With partners, they select...
Curated OER
Understanding Europe: A Cultural Mosaic (Theme 1)
Students discuss the cultural similarities and differences found in Northen Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe and create daily journal entries charting their discoveries. This lesson is the First Part in a Four...
Curated OER
Capitalism and Communism: What's the Difference?
Students discover the differences between capitalism and communism. They participate in a simulation activity in which they examine Marx's philosphy of communism. They also examine Zapatista communities.
Curated OER
Me Oh Maya
Students compare basketball to Mayan ring-ball. They write a newspaper article that may have been published during Mayan times.
Curated OER
Fields of Candy Bars
Pupils research and write about the origins of the ingredients in candy bars. They taste them and describe what they are tasting. They use descriptive words to write a paragraph describing the candy bar. They research ingredients in...
Curated OER
Designing a Quilt Pattern
Students create and color a one-patch quilt design based upon a regular hexagon. They examine quilts and photos of quilt designs, read a handout, and complete their quilt design on a worksheet.