Curated OER
Beauty
Students bring an object to school that is of significant sentimental value to them. They arrange the objects in a class display, examine each other's artifacts and discuss the implications and cultural bias of the word 'beauty'.
Curated OER
Death and Dying
Ninth graders examine religious rituals and ceremonies surrounding death and dying. In this cultural studies lesson plan, 9th graders explore end-of-life care in the United States and consider ways it might be improved.
Curated OER
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, students read background information for the topic and compare ancient and contemporary objects....
Curated OER
The Fastest Pig in the West in the Classroom: Zodiac Signs
Students explore Chinese culture by reading a story with their class. In this astrology lesson, students read a chapter from the book The Fastest Pig in the West and discuss the relevance of the Chinese zodiac in modern society. Students...
Curated OER
Collage of Kwanzaa Colors
Students explore African cultures by creating a holiday collage. In this Kwanzaa art lesson, students identify the popular colors associated with the African holiday and create a collage using them. Students present their art work for...
Curated OER
Miracles of the Heart
Students watch a movie. In this cultures lesson, students read A World Without Black People and then discuss segregation. Students watch the video Partners of the Heart or Something the Lord Made and then reflect on the video in their...
Curated OER
El Misterio del los Mayas (The Mystery of the Mayas)
Students, working in groups, research different aspects of the Mayan society of the classical period. They study the rise and fall of the civilization and present the information in multimedia presentations.
Curated OER
Dos Caras
Use Sabine R. Ulibarri's stories to conduct three different activities focused on learner interaction. In the first two, classmates will assume a character and conduct a role-play building conflict resolution skills. In the final...
Curated OER
Comparison of Multicultural Literature
Students examine three different versions of "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and complete a comparison activity. Their own version of the poem is created and illustrated in this instructional activity.
Curated OER
Ella y Él
Take a trip to Costa Rica with th popular song "Ella y Él" by Ricardo Arjona. After listening to the song (and possibly reading the lyrics) the class discusses the general message of the song, the political nature, and other US bands...
Nebraska Department of Education
Social Class and Fitting In
Social classes may be explicitly defined as in a caste system or based more informally on such ideas as wealth or education. After reading and discussing an article about one woman's experience with trying to fit into a system different...
Why Christmas
Christmas Around the World
Discover how the world celebrates Christmas with an interactive website that takes scholars on a journey through several different countries' holiday festivities.
Curated OER
Regional and Social Dialects
Both humorous and fascinating, dialects of the English language are a never-ending source of cultural studies in America. This presentation details characteristics and vocabulary of Eastern U.S. dialects, Southern dialects, and Western...
Annenberg Foundation
Placing Artifacts in Time
Can history distort the true story behind famous people? Scholars analyze the many faces of the Native American Pocahontas. Incorporating technology and historical thinking skills, they uncover the many different sides to the Pocahontas...
C-SPAN
1968: The Poor People's Campaign
The Poor People's Campaign of 1968 marked a shift in the civil rights movement to economic issues. Speakers in four C-SPAN video clips discuss different aspects of the campaign including Resurrection City, the Economic Bill of Rights,...
Curated OER
Clash of Cultures and Marching North
Each of the 23 slides that comprise this presentation are intended to enhance or support lessons on shifts in religion and the colonization of the Americas. Students are guided through the changes in religion that ultimately lead to the...
Curated OER
Henna Hands
Young scholars create plaster molds of their own hands and compare and contrast the size and details of their hands with a partner. The next day they discuss cultural differences and decorate the hand molds with henna designs.
Curated OER
Sub-Cultural Theories Continued: Delinquency as the Consequence of Normal Working
In this delinquency learning exercise, students read and complete ten different exercises, including providing examples of theories, matching ideas to theorists, writing about their opinions, and comprehension questions about the article.
Curated OER
Multi-cultural, The Butterfly
Sixth graders discuss The Butterfly. In this literacy lesson, 6th graders write two postcards about the issues of the Holocaust from the two different perspectives of the two girls from the text.
Curated OER
Different Ways We Celebrate
Students examine a variety of ways that families celebrate winter holidays. They complete a graphic organizer comparing Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, and write a five-sentence paragraph about one of the holidays discussed. Students...
Curated OER
Exploring 9/11 in Historical, Cultural and International Context: Why Here, Why Us, Why Now?
Students examine the international conflicts that might have caused the terrorist attacks of 9/11. In groups, they research the similarities and differences between the three major religions and how they connect to 9/11. To end the...
Curated OER
AIDS: A Pop Culture History
Students watch the documentary AIDS: A Pop Culture History and discuss the issues the documentary raises. Students discuss the different facts and myths about AIDS, discuss stereotypes in relation to the disease and discuss common fears...
Curated OER
Celebrating Connections
Third graders examine religious traditions and celebrations. In this Social Studies lesson, 3rd graders compare and contrast different religions. Students research a specific religion and prepare a presentation for the class.
Curated OER
Anasazi Culture
Young scholars explain the cultural and historical development of the Anasazi Indians. They identify different time periods, cultures, and artifacts about the Anasazi people.