Smithsonian Institution
Art to Zoo: Life in the Promised Land: African-American Migrants in Northern Cities, 1916-1940
This is a fantastic resource designed for learners to envision what it was like for the three million African-Americans who migrated to urban industrial centers of the northern United States between 1910 and 1940. After reading a...
Deliberating in a Democracy
Free and Independent Press
Young scholars determine how free press principles can be compromised. For this global studies activity, students read an article titled "Free and Independent Press." Young scholars respond to discussion questions regarding the article.
Facing History and Ourselves
Taking a Stand: Models of Civic Participation
How does an individual take a stand for a principle or belief? what skills are required to do so? What are the challenges and risks in doing so? Class members study examples of individuals engaging in such activities and then identify...
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Montgomery Bus Boycott: We Would Rather Walk!
Have historians use primary sources to learn about the circumstances and implementation of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and think about the issue of boycotts as a means of effecting social change. Wrap it up with a...
Global Oneness Project
Ancient and Modern Worlds
The old aphorism, "The road to Hell is paved with good intentions," might well serve as the title for a resource that asks viewers to consider the plight of the people of the Gamo Highlands, an area in southwestern Ethiopia. These...
Curated OER
Outreach and Distribution Lesson Plan
Students study the process for outreach and distribution of films. They design outreach and distribution plans for films which they create.
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Elders' Stories
Very young learners study the ways that oral traditions play such a huge part in the culture of Native Americans. They see how Elders pass along stories to the younger generations. If possible, a tribal Elder comes into the class to...
Story Corps
The Great Thanksgiving Listen
StoryCorp provides a resource that captures and preserves the remembrances of family or community elders. Prior to the Thanksgiving holiday, class members select a person they want to interview, record the conversation, and then upload...
Curated OER
Introduction to Community Helpers
Students examine different types of community helpers. In this introduction to community helpers lesson, students discuss stories and view a PowerPoint presentation of students working as community helpers and defining the jobs.
Curated OER
Social Studies: 9/11 Banners
Young scholars explore the history of flags and design banners for their communities. their designs reflect sentiments shaped by the events of 9/11. In addition, they write phrases beginning with, "being an American means..." Students...
Curated OER
Create Your Own Service Project
Learners develop a community service project. In this service project lesson, students identify a concern within their community, set a goal, from a plan, and carryout a service project using the project guidelines.
Curated OER
Animal Shelter Service Project
Students complete a community service project. In this community service activity, students discuss the needs of animals in animal shelters. They contact an animal shelter and help with one of these needs.
Curated OER
Homeless Shelter Service Project
Students research ways to help a homeless shelter and design a service project to meet the needs. In this service project lesson, students identify and develop a list of ways to meet a homeless shelter's needs. Students then conduct a...
Curated OER
Women's Shelter Service Project
Students research ways to help a women's shelter in a service project. In this service project lesson, students develop ways to meet needs of a women's shelter. Students select a need, plan, and conduct a service project to meet that need.
Curated OER
Showing Your Community to the World
Middle schoolers investigate the environmental and human implications to local communities of hosting a major exposition or fair in their region. They study current site conditions and develop a comprehensive plan.
Curated OER
Exploring Community Needs
Learners identify the needs of their community. In this communities lesson, students brainstorm the needs of their community and prepare a letter to a local official to address the community need.
Curated OER
Our Community Helpers
Pupils explore community helpers in order to explain how they fit into their community and the world.
Curated OER
Opening Lesson: Community
Students participate in a community service project and present an art project. In this lesson on community service, students read Rainbow Fish and discuss its meaning for them as it relates to community. Students create an art...
Curated OER
Project Based Learing: Social Responsibility
Young scholars explore social responsibility. In this service learning lesson, students participate in 4 weekly activities that require them to research "communitarians", write poems about their contributions, and create works of...
Curated OER
Community Helpers
First graders identify community workers and what tools they use by successfully completing a concentration game, matching community workers with a tool they use.
Curated OER
Community Construction
Students are assigned the task of building a community building. They construct the building using a computer graphics design program. The simulated building when completed be put together to form a small town.
Curated OER
We Live in an International Community
Students locate the different countries from which their clothing originates. Using a blank map, they identify and color in those areas.
Stanford University
Observing Human Rights Day
How much intervention is appropriate for America to take in cases of human rights violations? Class members ponder a question that has lingered since the birth of America with a series of primary sources that reflect the degree to which...
Curated OER
Clara Barton's House: Home of the American Red Cross
A fabulous lesson plan on the life of Clara Barton awaits your class. They describe how Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross, and the role it played in organizing help for those in need. Additionally, young historians explain how...