Center for History Education
To What Extent Were Women's Contributions to World War II Industries Valued?
Women rose to the challenge when the nation's war effort called them—but were sent home when the GIs came back from World War II. Young historians consider whether the United States valued women's contributions during the war using a...
Curated OER
Heroes Portrait
Eighth graders investigate art appreciation and Renaissance portraits through time. They create a portrait.
Curated OER
Line: a Geometric Exercise
Pupils study the different types of lines and create a drawing demonstrating what they learned.
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Understanding Stage Design: Using Visual Elements to Provide Information to an Audience
Students study about theatrical design by developing environments for improvised and scripted scenes. They develop focused ideas for an environment using visual elements.
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Character Education: Perseverance
Young scholars analyze and define the word perseverance as it applies to Martin Luther King, Jr. In this Martin Luther King, Jr. lesson, students discuss the book 'I Have a Dream: The Story of Martin Luther King.' Young scholars analyze...
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Honesty and the Common Good
Seventh graders explore the trait of honesty. In this character education lesson, 7th graders consider how to exercise good judgement when rules and expectations are not clear.
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3-D Ribbon Letters - Pencil Shading
Students examine the art of Edward Ruscha and make a three-dimensional model of a single word. They explore shading and value, and create a drawing of the model. They render ribbon strip letters in varied values to show 3-D quality.
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Character Education: Responsibility
Students study Manuel de Zavala and his role in the history of Texas. In this character education lesson, students read about Manuel Lorenzo and underline the responsibilities he took on in his life. Students then answer questions about...
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Giving Beyond Measure-The Diary of Anne Frank
Young scholars read and analyze the play "The Diary of Anne Frank" based on the book of the same name. They identify philanthropic concepts and values in the play and discuss the ways in which specific characters actions affect the...
Curated OER
Taking a Stand on Bullying
Middle schoolers stand up against bullying in a character-building lesson. After discussing historical figures who became advocates in times of adversity, they brainstorm ways to end bullying at their own school, and use a formal letter...
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Creating Dramatic Monologues from The Grapes of Wrath
The characters in The Grapes of Wrath come to life through an activity that asks groups to craft a dramatic monologue for a character in John Steinbeck's National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize winning novel. Writers are...
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Dodging Responsibility
Students explore responsibility. In this character education lesson, students review the definition of responsibility and brainstorm possible consequences of taking responsibility and not taking responsibility. Student's thoughts...
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Respect and Democracy
Middle schoolers explore the concept of respect. In this respect and democracy instructional activity, students define respect and brainstorm examples of showing respect and disrespect. Middle schoolers read Core Values of American...
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Philanthropy and You
Young scholars identify human rights and study the values of historical figures who fought for human rights. In this human rights activity, students define the term human rights and research examples of human mistreatment in history....
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The Kite Runner: Problematic Situation
To conclude their study of Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner, class members assume the voice of Amir and write a letter to Hassan, Amir's childhood companion.
Penguin Books
A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
Love, jealousy, hatred! Gaston Leroux's The Phantom of the Opera has it all. Whether or not you have used Gaston Leroux's novel with your classes, you will find much value in this resource. The guide includes background information, an...
Curated OER
Research Project on the Impact of Civil War and Conflict on the Common Person
Students create character using their knowledge from one of the civil war case countries. They create resume and cover letter for character to apply to a UN agency, and conduct research to create presentation that matches the character...
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Charting the Course
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this citizenship lesson plan, students collaborate to compile a list of the top ten traits of good citizens. Students then discuss random acts of kindness and create a plan to share...
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Setting Goals with Benjamin Franklin
Students discuss historical accounts and accomplishments of "Benjamin Franklin" which exemplify good character traits. They create a display of paper keys which describe these traits. They relate these traits to their future goals and...
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Anty-Bodies
Students compare and contrast likenesses and differences to others by creating a life-size picture of themselves. In this character building lesson, students dictate a sentence about comments on sharing and display them with their...
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Helping Others
Students explore community service. In this character development and community instructional activity, students sing a song based on the fable The Lion and the Mouse. Students participate in a discussion about kindness, and...
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Role Playing for the Common Good
Students explore conflict resolution. In this character education lesson, students role play simple conflict resolution situations at school and present the skits to other classes.
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Cinderella Stories
Students listen to the Scottish tale, The Princess and the Golden Shoes, creating a character chart. They develop a newspaper containing news stories, personality profiles, and editorials regarding The Princess and the Golden Shoes.
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Folktales (African American, Chinese, Japanese and Korean)
High schoolers participate in a variety of activities that are concerned with comparing different cultures through the literary genre of folktales. The stories are used to stimulate student interest and provide a context for how a...