Curated OER
South Korea
Students use primary and secondary resources in order to investigate the culture of South Korea. They use guiding questions that progressively lead them to higher order thinking to make connections from the information to how people live.
Curated OER
Chuukese Dinner (high School)
Students read journal entries about having dinner with a Chuukese family. Using this information, they identify which foods sound appealing and compare and contrast Micronesian and American foods, fruits and vegetables. In groups, they...
Curated OER
Food and Languages of the World
Students examine Japanese culture. In this multicultural lesson, students taste rice crackers and create Japanese fans from paper and paint.
Curated OER
Native Americans
Young scholars, in groups, research various Native American tribes. They wirte a report about the tribe which includes information about their food and ceremonies, among other things. They create a diorama and a poster that shows how...
Curated OER
Jingle Bells
Second graders identify people of different ages, cultural backgrounds, traditions, and careers. They explain how they contribute to the community. Students sing a song to display the different Christmas traditions that are celebrated in...
Curated OER
Quinceaneras
Students explore traditions which are celebrated in Quinceaneras. They examine the Latin American culture, its beliefs and value systems. Students analyze vocabulary words. They write a story about Quinceaneras.
Curated OER
Chinese Calendar
Third graders listen to a Mak Kam's, "My Chinatown: One Year in Poems," before locating China on a map. They discuss the Chinese language and culture, comparing it to the American culture. They determine which animal sign they were born...
Curated OER
Social Studies: What Is Folklife?
Students read an essay about folklife and record their thoughts in journals. After discussing the terms associated with the topic, they complete worksheets on types of folklife, pop, elite, and folk cultures. Depending on the age group,...
Curated OER
Share Classroom Fat Data with Other Students
Young scholars research eating habits in different places and in different cultures.
Curated OER
Japan
Seventh graders identify some key concepts, ideas, and facts about Japan. Students identify shared traits and differences of Japan as compared to other asian countries. Students identify how geography can affect the culture of a place....
Curated OER
Japan's Economic Miracle
Students brainstorm a list of characteristics a person would need to make a good employee. In groups, they describe the attributes a person would need in various occupations and share their answers with the class. They discover how...
Curated OER
Centennial: Home Sweet Home
Fourth graders examine the various types of homes made by Native Americans. In groups, they compare and contrast their homes to those of the Native Americans and discuss how homes reflect one's culture. To end the activity, they read...
Curated OER
Communicating with the World
Students practice their communication skills with people from other cultures. Using predetermined questions, they email their penpal and wait for their responses. They reflect on the value of the information given to them and complete an...
Curated OER
Comparing Christmas Around the World
Christmas inspired lesson and project ideas that help students sharpen critical thinking skills.
Curated OER
Grand Canyon Suite
Take a trip to the Grand Canyon! Lesson one explores how Ferde Grofe painted a musical landscape of America when he wrote the Grand Canyon Suite. Learners then examine art that shows the Grand Canyon in activity two. Finally, activity...
Core Knowledge Foundation
Marching into Civil War Times: Little Women, Past and Present
Here is a fine unit of lessons which compare and contrast the culture during the time period of the classic book, Little Women to present day. Topics covered are the family, politics, morality, fashion, transportation, cities, historical...
MENSA Education & Research Foundation
It’s Greek to Me: Greek Mythology
It's no myth: this packet on Greek mythology is an excellent addition to your social studies curriculum. With writing activities, such as short answer responses and biopoems, and reading activities, which include creation stories and...
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Changing Scapes
Culture and art are two things that change with time and context. Learners compare and contrast two landscape prints from different time periods. They work through art terminology to help them describe what they see in each piece. The...
Smithsonian Institution
Latino Expression
How much of your daily life is influenced by Latin American music? Take a listen—the answer may surprise you! High schoolers keep a journal to note any instances they see Latino culture represented, including the media, their school, and...
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Suki's Kimono
In the story Suki's Kimono drums are used to show mood. Learners discuss mood in the story after they practice playing a simple 4/4 rhythm on their drums. Each group plays the rhythm using a different tempo. They listen to each other...
Curated OER
Interpreting Behavior: Expanding Our Point of View
Students explore perspectives. In this diversity instructional activity, students examine cultural perspectives and world views as they complete activities that challenge them to compare American norms to norms of other cultures.
California Polytechnic State University
Australian Geography Unit
At the heart of this resource is a beautifully detailed PowerPoint presentation (provided in PDF form) on the overall physical geography of Australia, basic facts about the country, Aboriginal history, and Australia culture and lifestyle.
Curated OER
Family and Household Structure
Students examine what the word "family" means today. They identify cultural traditions that are still popular in the United States. They read primary source documents and discover how advice is passed on from generation to generation.
Curated OER
The Aztecs - Mighty Warriors of Mexico
Upper elementary learners identify the Aztecs as the builders of a great city and rich civilization in what is now Mexico. They locate the Aztec Empire and its capital on a map and place the Aztecs in the chronology of American history....