Curated OER
Date with Destiny
Students examine the outcome of the war in Iraq. In this Iraq history instructional activity, students discuss the effects of the war and the regime of Hussein. Students write and design textbook pages that feature the contemporary...
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Bringing Democracy to Japan
High schoolers study a piece of Japanese contemporary history. In this democratic values lesson, students listen to their instructor lecture on the implementation of democratic government in Japan. High schoolers respond to discussion...
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Life and Art of Pablo Picasso
Art history projects can be a lot of fun. Budding art historians research the life, art, and times of Pablo Picasso, visit the local art museum, and create a multimedia presentation showcasing his art and personal history. Handouts,...
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Just an Ordinary Day
Young sociologists identify how technology has impacted the traditional culture of Romania as they read and discuss "Just an Ordinary Day'" by Nina Porzucki. A lesson encourages learners to study Romania's history and present, including...
West Virginia Department of Education
Harpers Ferry Letters
Scholars write letters as if they were someone who heard the story of John Brown's raid. The resource, a standalone, covers information from primary sources that is important to West Virginian history: the Harpers Ferry Letters.
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Exploring George Washington's Leadership
Learners examine primary documents to determine whether or not George Washington was an honest leader. In this presidential history lesson plan, students evaluate Washington's leadership prior to and during his presidency. Guided reading...
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Personal Experience Narratives
Help your middle schoolers identify personal experience narratives in their own lives through telling stories themselves and from family members or other adults. They study personal experience narratives in Swapping Stories and compare...
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Lesson: Nikhil Chopra: Performing Memory
Film imitates life; that's what they say. Using performance theory to tie the lesson together, learners attempt to understand memory and daily rituals as seen in art, film, and life. They read two chapters from the book, watch the...
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Lesson: Mathias Poledna: Crystal Palace
Film analysis takes critical thinking, connections, and context. Upper graders look at the film installation, Crystal Palace in terms of the film makers choices, presentation, and perspective of truth. After an analytical discussion of...
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Changemakers Lesson Plans
Teens and tweens are invited to become changemakers in a five-lesson unit, asking them to investigate and share what they have learned about exemplary, contemporary Native Americans. They gather facts about their research subject, record...
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Contemporary Japanese Relief Printing
STudents identify and interpret relief printing and that the art of printing is not only an ancient art in Japan but a contemporary one as well. Students identify who Fumio Fujita is and his artworks.
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Ancient Origins: The Role of Archaeology in Reconstructing the Past
Students read information about the ancient origins of art and archaeology with a focus on the Malian culture. In this art origins lesson plan, students read background information for the topic and compare ancient and contemporary...
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It's Just Not Art
Students examine multiple styles of artwork that have earned awards. In this art instructional activity, students discuss the definition of contemporary art then compare how artwork has changed over the years.
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Say It Loud!: A Celebration Of Black Music In America
Students watch a video that highlights the role of artists' images throughout the history of Black music in the United States and describe the influences of the civil rights movement on Black culture.
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The Rise and Fall of the Jim Crow Era
Students explore African American history by researching the Jim Crow laws. In this Civil Rights lesson, students define the Jim Crow laws, the reasons they were put into place, and how they were ultimately defeated. Students write a...
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American Colonists Protest Song
Students explore the role of protest songs. In this early American history lesson, students research the acts passed by the British that angered colonists. Students then listen to protest songs from contemporary American history prior to...
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Lesson: Nimble Symbols
Comparative thinking is one way to build critical analysts. Budding artists discuss symbols and how they represent concepts, beliefs, or ideas. They compare the symbols found on an ancient Egyptian mummy case to those found in...
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History of the Masons
Students are divided into groups and follow directions of their group leaders and complete a worksheet while on site.
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Prisoner in One's Own Home
Examine the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. After reading an article from the New York Times and exploring the author's word choice, young readers find the central idea in the text and work on researching additional...
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Famous Elders, Historic Figures, Contemporary Tribal Leaders
Sixth graders explain significance of Elders. In this research lesson students tell that being an Elder is not always related to age. They explain why a person is important in history.
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Legends as Oral History
Sixth graders read First Nations legends to find information about the First Nations. For this legends as oral history lesson, 6th graders interview and write oral histories from family members.
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A History of Journal Writing
High schoolers articulate their prior knowledge concerning the purposes of journal writing. They explore what function journal writing has fulfilled for various cultures and peoples. Students read and analyze various journal entries by...
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Lesson: Elizabeth Peyton: Pictures of Rock Stars: The Imagined
Youth, fame, and beauty are marks of modern society. Artist Elizabeth Peyton has captured all three in her series of imagined rock star portraits. The class analyzes her use of technique, emotion, and imagination in each of six pieces,...
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Contemporary History: Watergate
Students explore the Watergate scandal. In this Watergate lesson, students watch a video regarding the scandal and use the Internet to research it as well. Students then interview adults who share memories of the scandal.