National First Ladies' Library
Peace in the Middle East: A Primer
Middle schoolers are introduced to the concept of three Abrahamic religions and complete the Comparative Religion Exercise. They view slides after taking their best guesses and read the article, "The Path to Peace Runs Through a History...
Curated OER
When Johnny Came Marching Home
Students examine the concept of gender bias. For this discrimination lesson, students research 1940's and 1950's America and determine how historical events shaped the changing role of women in the country.
Curated OER
Party Like It's 1992 or '84 or '76 or '68!
Learners explore, analyze and study how political party platforms have changed over time. They create a party platform time line by researching Republican and Democratic Party stances on various issues during the last few decades.
Curated OER
Introduction to Philanthropy- Recognizing Good Citizenship and Philanthropy in Our Community
Students define philanthropy. In this community lesson, students read A River Ran Wild and discuss the needs in the communities presented. Students discuss aspects of philanthropy in a community and brainstorm elements of a healthy...
Curated OER
Finding Mass
Student measure mass to discover how pennies have changed in their composition. In this measurement lesson, 8th graders investigate through an open-ended problem to discover how the US pennies composition changed in the 1980's.
Curated OER
Picture the 60s
Students consider how the 1960's impacted Great Britain. In this contemporary history instructional activity, students visit selected websites to discover information about the decade, popular culture, and women's...
Curated OER
Hurricanes and Climate
Students investigate maps and data to learn about the connections between hurricanes and climate. In this exploratory lesson students describe and graph the 6 regions where hurricanes happen and discuss how hurricanes have changed over...
Curated OER
Art Dates
Students use a timeline to measure intervals and calculate the age of works of art.
Curated OER
Rock n' Rollin in the '50s
Students explore the culture of the United States in the 1950's. In this history lesson, students research culture in the 1950's, with a focus on fashion, music, television, automobiles, etc., then work in groups to create a...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Adding and Subtracting Three-Digit Numbers by Jumping
Second graders use data to graph information and draw conclusions. In this instructional activity on data analysis, 2nd graders practice gathering, sorting, comparing, and graphing data. Students differentiate data that can and cannot...
Curated OER
It's a bright and beautiful day...Protect Yourself!
Young scholars investigate the cause and effect of skin cancer. They complete worksheets, view presentations and discuss the various types of ultraviolet rays and their impact on human health.
Curated OER
The Sixties Protests and Social Change
Students identify, examine and analyze photographs of the sixties to determine the forces of social change at work in America during this decade. They determine the goals of each movement and the methods used by each to achieve those goals.
Curated OER
Rural America in Transition
Students examine the changes in rural America in an economic sense. In groups, they research the problems rural areas face in the 21st century. They examine the economic policies in effect and how they help or hurt rural America.
Curated OER
How Has Technology Affected the Presidential Election Process in the U.S.?
Learners measure technological advancements as they consider how they impacted the election process in the United States. In this presidential politics lesson plan, students research technological changes since the 1900's and create...
Curated OER
Soil Composition: Then and Now
Students identify the location of their school from a 1926 digitized Soil Sample map. Using remaining landforms, they determine the type of soil identified during that time, and compare it to the soil currently found near the school.
Curated OER
Stratospheric Ozone
Students explore about the structure of Earth's atmosphere and about the stratospheric ozone. They discuss how it is produced and destroyed, where it is located, why it is important, and how it is changing. Students investigate about...
Curated OER
China: One Nation: Two Futures
Tenth graders explore the evolution of Chinese communism to its present export-driven economy. Working in groups, they examine various articles about reforms in Chinese society. They write essays about the impact of political reform on...
National First Ladies' Library
School Reform, Again!
Students discuss their perceptions and experiences with changes in schooling. They work in small groups to prepare a PowerPoint presentation to explain the efforts toward reforming schools since 1983. Students speculate on the next...
Curated OER
Alaska the 'Poster State" For Climate Concerns
Students read an article on Alaska and its climate concerns. In this research instructional activity students create a poster that contrasts Alaska then and now that pertains to climate change.
Curated OER
The American People
In this 1920's America worksheet, students respond to 14 short answer questions about the stocks, working conditions, the Harlem Renaissance, and wealth during the decade.
Curated OER
Ivy Bean
In this Ivy Bean learning exercise, students read about the life of the oldest woman using social networking, then complete a variety of comprehension activities. An answer key is included.
Curated OER
Introduction to Selected Documents from the Roxcy Bolton Collection
Students listen to a guided imagery exercise that takes them back to 1969. They brianstorm ideas to try to discover why they would not be allowed to sit at an empty table at a Burdines lunch counter in 1969.
They read letters about the...
Curated OER
Development in Drosophila melanogaster
High schoolers study the least familiar aspect of development in Drosophila melanogaster; the development of the pupa. Students isolate and culture "First-day" pupae. They are dissected daily to study the progressive developmental changes.
Curated OER
The Market System and Consumerism
Pupils examine their own consumption habits. Using various advertisements, they discuss their role in showing consumers what they must have in their lives. As a class, they encourage each other to change their habits and discuss how...