US Institute of Peace
Becoming a Peacebuilder
"Be the change you wish to see in the world!" The 15th and final lesson in a peacebuilding series uses this quote from Gandhi to prepare pupils for their own action projects. Individuals research a global issue, then brainstorm a method...
Advocates for Human Rights
The Right to a Clean Environment: Right to a Clean Environment Role-Play
A activity challenges scholars to think critically about the world in which they live. Learners begin by role-playing a character, answering questions, and taking part in a whole-class discussion. They then brainstorm ways they can help...
Judicial Branch of California
Faces of Citizenship: Jury Duty
An interesting middle school lesson focuses on the rights and responsibilities of citizens. Academics choose a civic project to complete, such as an oral history or photo essay. They then conduct interviews with members of the community...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Prayer and Friday Night Lights? An Establishment Clause Case from Texas
Is a Christian prayer before a Friday night football game a nice gesture or the imposition of religion on the rest of the community? A resource asks the question using a clip from the popular movie "Friday Night Lights" and readings...
Curated OER
What is a Community?
Students explore the characteristics of their community. In this communities lesson plan, students read Humphrey the Lost Whale: A True Story and discuss how the community came together to solve a problem. Students identify services...
Curated OER
Economic Community
Fourth graders assume different jobs of a community and understand the terms goods, services, producer, and consumer. In this community lesson plan, 4th graders answer short answer questions to show their knowledge of the terms.
Curated OER
Mapping Your Community
Students define the boundaries of their community by comparing the community's official boundaries with other historical, political, physical, and perceived boundaries of the area and create a community map.
Curated OER
My Building, My Community
Students become familiar with the concepts of community and neighborhood and what buildings are associated with these. In this neighborhood instructional activity, students tour the neighborhood as a class, observing and taking photos of...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Class Citizenship Tree
Third graders discuss citizenship and the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance. On poster board, the teacher draws a tree and students draw their citizenship ideas on paper or clip pictures from magazines and glue them to the tree.
Curated OER
Funding the Arts: Art from the Heart
Students explore means by which community arts might be supported. In this "community" social studies lesson plan, students research various local non-profit organizations. Students role-play as members of the board of a philanthropic...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Cultural Collage
Students define and discuss cultural aspects and family origins. By citing examples of traditions and customs from other countries, they develop an understanding of cultural influences on society. Finally, students create collages...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Causes and Effects of Divorce
Young scholars examine the factors leading to divorce and its ramifications on family members. Among the reasons considered are finances, selfishness, and communication difficulties. The lesson pays particular attention to effects on...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Our Town
Third graders examine all the features of communities, including an examination of their histories. They draw a mural that includes their community's unique features. Students also construct a replica of the main street of their town.
Curated OER
Community & Architecture
Pupils investigate the Bamum people of Cameroon and the use of symbols in African societies. They read a handout, and design a palace using African symbols, presenting and describing their design to the class.
Curated OER
Citizenship City
Learners design labels promoting civic responsibility to distribute to the community. In this civics lesson plan, students engage in a simulated reunion and discuss their future careers and research various community organizations and...
Curated OER
Around Your Town
Students use web sites to find information. In this geography lesson, students brainstorm a list of places in their community, talk about the way zoos are organized and explore the uniqueness of the fifty states in the United States of...
Curated OER
Lesson 2: Mapping Our Home
Students recognize the importance of community participation in the census. In this U. S. Census lesson plan, students use map-reading skills to find answers and learn the difference between senators and members of Congress.
Curated OER
Maskerade, My Self, And No Other
Students examine themselves, discover their strong, positive attributes, and recognize areas in need of improvement (since each individual possesses strengths but all people have some weaknesses). They develop self-acceptance, trust in...
Texas Education Agency (TEA)
Just Chill: Don’t Stress Out!
Billy Joel's song, "Pressure," opens a lesson that teaches some techniques to deal with pressure and stressors, significant factors that contribute to aging and poor health. Throughout the four-day lesson, participants study...
iCivics
County Government: High School
Balancing a budget—the bane of many people's existence! Yet, its' something that must be done, especially in government systems. The resource, fourth in a seven-part series exploring local government, focuses on various exercises that...
Curated OER
Social Studies
Third graders explore maps and models. They discuss communities and the buildings within their community. Students construct a model of the downtown area of their town. They construct a map of their town and write facts about the...
Curated OER
The American Flag
Third graders gain knowledge of the American Flag and the importance of the flag in the school and community. In this social studies lesson, 3rd graders discover what the colors, stripes, and stars of the American flag mean, review laws...
Curated OER
I've Been Working in the Neighborhood
Students explore community helpers. In this social studies lesson, students research a variety of community helpers. Students choose a community helper and explain why they would want to spend a day helping that worker.
Curated OER
The Huichol Community of Mexico: Communicating with Symbols
Students study the Huichol Indians. In this Huichol lesson, students red The Journey of Tunuri and the Blue Deer, design a visual story using symbols, and make a painting using large paper shapes. A class mural project is also included.