Curated OER
The Impact of History: A Conversation with a Parent
Seventh graders interview parents about certain historical events. In this historical interview instructional activity, 7th graders create a web of events about historical events. Students interview their parents or grandparents about...
Curated OER
Oral History
Students create oral histories. In this oral history lesson, students prepare for and conduct interviews with Holocaust survivors, liberators, or rescuers. Students study the provided procedure for the interview and present their...
Curated OER
Asking the Right Questions
Students explore interviewing skills. In this journalism lesson plan, students examine "good" and "bad" interview questions and discuss both. Students then practice interviewing partners in the classroom.
Curated OER
Where Do I Begin: Writing an Effective Feature Story
High schoolers write an effective feature story. In this journalism lesson plan, high schoolers learn through 6 activities to ask open-ended questions, write effective leads, and handle quotes, and write headlines for news stories.
Curated OER
Contemporary History: Watergate
Pupils explore the Watergate scandal. For this Watergate lesson, students watch a video regarding the scandal and use the Internet to research it as well. Pupils then interview adults who share memories of the scandal.
Curated OER
Schools
First graders complete a unit of lessons on school and how schools have changed. They read a Laura Ingalls Wilder excerpt, view and discuss a Norman Rockwell painting, conduct an interview, construct a school map, and create an ABC book...
Curated OER
The Ku Klux Klan In Indiana: 1920-1930
Students examine the role of the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana from 1920-1930. They read an informational handout, define key vocabulary terms, conduct an interview with a parent or grandparent, write a family history, and role-play a scenario.
Curated OER
A River Runs Through Our Town
Students conduct an interview with a town resident, asking them to describe the history, use, and their memories of a river common to their community. They create a drawing of the river using information from the interview, and write...
Curated OER
Sustainable Agriculture: Soils And Food Production
Ninth graders recognize differences in soil quality from one area to another. They describe the importance of organic matter in soil health and suggest ideas that help provide adequate food supplies for the world. The interview a person...
Smithsonian Institution
Conflicting Voices of the Mexican War
Americans wanted to fulfill Manifest Destiny, and this pattern continued with the Mexican War. The resource specifically teaches about the Mexican War through a variety of exercises including a research project, group work, brainstorming...
Curated OER
Personal Opinions, Part 2
Students create questions for an interview about the environment. They interview a peer using their written questions, and then interview a native Spanish speaker about the environment.
Curated OER
How The Scientists Really Work
Young scholars question the accepted practices of science by scientists and their interactions with technology and society. They devise and conduct appropriate interview procedures for scientists to question their understanding and...
Curated OER
Striving for Success
Learners explore their own talents and create interview questions for a peer involved in a particular extracurricular activity. They write newspaper articles based on the interviews.
Curated OER
Family Heritage Cookbook
Students compare favorite family recipes. In this cultural diversity instructional activity, students interview family members and record favorite recipes. Students examine cultural diversity through favorite foods.
Curated OER
Tracking the Olympics
Students conduct interviews. In this Olympic lesson, students play the parts of Olympic athletes and sports announcers. Students take part in interviews practicing both parts and create podcasts of the interviews.
Curated OER
Analyzing an Issue From Three Perspectives-Smoking in Public Places
Students examine multiple perspectives on a social issue. For this social issues lesson, students discuss New York's recent ban on smoking from the perspectives of different groups. Students takes notes on a video about...
Curated OER
Becoming A Career Detective (Part 1)
Third graders are reminded of the "investigation" of the world of work that they have been conducting since kindergarten. They are asked: "Where have you gathered information about careers?" and Where else might you obtain information?...
California Department of Education
California CareerZone Account Quick Start Activity
Scholars register an account with the website then complete an interest survey. Using the results, pupils choose three of the recommended professions to compare and contrast.
Museum of Tolerance
Quilt Activity
After completing the first five lessons from the series, scholars assemble their quilt pieces to create a family history quilt. They then rate their experience of learning about their families by conducting interviews, creating family...
Smithsonian Institution
A Dream Deferred: DACA
"Give us your tired, your poor, your huddled masses" has even more meaning for some children. The resource explores the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Scholars analyze primary sources and participate in...
Center for History Education
Japanese American Internment During World War II
World War II turned nations against each other and neighbors into enemies. An eye-opening lesson explores the dark past of Japanese-American internment camps during WWII. Scholars learn of the fear and distrust toward Asian Americans...
Curated OER
Ask An Expert
Students invite community members to visit the classroom and interview them about water in the community. Students prepare for, conduct, and follow up an interview and record their responses in their Water Journals.
Curated OER
Oral History and Interview Skills
Students develop interview skills and learn about US history at the same time. Students research an event from local history. Students prepare a list of questions based on the research. They create a list of interview questions and...
Curated OER
An Investigation of Primary and Secondary Sources Using The Records on Mary McLeod Bethune
Students listen to a summary of the life of Mary Bethune. They read or listen to an excerpt from an interview with Mary Bethune. They discuss the differences between the transcript and the draft of the biography.