Curated OER
Participating in Democracy
Students analyze film clips in class. In this democracy lesson, students identify the differences between civil liberties, democracy and freedom. Students view a video regarding Japanese internment and answer study questions as well as...
Museum of the Moving Image
Developing Critical Analysis
To gain an understanding of how images and sounds are used to influence viewers, class members analyze these features in Presidential campaign commercials from 1952-2012.
Agriculture in the Classroom
Farmland: GMOs and Organic Agriculture
Learn more about genetic modification, organic farming, and the role of biotechnology in agriculture by watching a documentary that shows how newly gained knowledge can be applied to specific situations involving farmers and the choices...
Museum of the Moving Image
AdMaker, Obama vs. McCain, “Fundamentals” (2008)
Truth is often left on the cutting room floor when political ads are produced. After viewing the 2012 backfire ad, "Fundamentals" that takes John McCain's comments on the US economy out of context, class groups edit the audio and...
Curated OER
Teamwork Towers
Students work in a cooperative groups to create a free standing tower of straws and pins in ten minutes. They watch a video of the cooperative groups working, discuss the process and list the things they could do to improve the cooperation.
Curated OER
Importance of American Flag in American Literature
Betsy Ross - fact and myth. As an introduction to American Literature, class members become detectives and search web sites to find information about the flag, prominent places it has been displayed (on the moon, at ground zero, in...
Curated OER
Poetry Appreciation – "The Raven"
Introduce your class to "The Raven" by Edgar Allan Poe with this series of activities, exercises, and worksheets. Class members examine an image, analyze a movie trailer, read a prose version of the poem, look up vocabulary, and pick out...
Curated OER
Life as a Legend: Marilyn Monroe: What is Beautiful?
Learners consider the notion of beauty and what impact the media and popular culture have on it. In this cross curricular lesson, students examine print ads, write down and share their thoughts on them. Then learners form literary groups...
Curated OER
Close Reading
Eleventh graders read and study Hamlet. Then they are introduced to close reading as a means of understanding what is being read--not only understanding the printed word, but also the nuances and connotations of language as it is used by...
Curated OER
Rights and Responsibilities: Grass Born to Be Stepped On
High schoolers use the Internet and other resources to research an aspect of history that illustrates rights and responsibilities, including historical events, issues and ideas, and the people involved.
Smithsonian Institution
Watching Crystals Grow
Amazing science can sometimes happen right before your eyes! The class gets cozy as they watch crystals grow. They use Epsom salts, rocks, and food coloring to create crystals. They'll observe the entire process, documenting every step...
Curated OER
In the Company of Wild Butterflies
Students discover the life cycle of a butterfly and explain the different stages. In this exploratory lesson students watch a video and create insect art and they will get an opportunity to view live specimens of butterflies.
Curated OER
Exploring Arthurian Legend
Young scholars use the internet to track the growth of the King Arthur legend from the Dark Ages to its arrival on the silver screen.
Curated OER
Teaching About Asia; Freeman Seminar
Pupils integrate the study of photography and Eastern Culture for the purpose of increasing artistic expression. They produce high quality photographs in conjunction with conducting research with meaningful writing produced with the...
Curated OER
SIX WIVES OF HENRY VIII
Learners research one of the six wives of Henry VIII in groups to provide expert presentations. In this European History lesson, students view a film and take notes on Henry VIII's wives. Learners evaluate the information from the...
Curated OER
Growth in A City Neighborhood
Pupils take the "role" of city planner. They overlay a map of one area of the city in the past, present, and projected future project. Students discuss reasons for selecting the special features of the area. The lesson refers...
Curated OER
Famous People of Japan
Young scholars conduct research to follow several essential questions that guide the lesson. The concern of the student research is the finding of contributions of famous Japanese to the culture of the United States.
Curated OER
Japanese Society
Students conduct research into the life of being a person who is Japanese. The lesson uses essential questions in order to guide the research. Classroom activities are used to encourage discussion.
Curated OER
Was the Iraq War a "Humanitarian Intervention?"
Learners debate the intent of the Iraq war. In this humanitarian intervention lesson, students each research a view point and defend it in a class room debate. Learners defend the views points of Terry...
Curated OER
Mountain Humor: Folklore
Pupils complete a series of lesson plans that examine and define Appalachian humor. They complete surveys and examine Appalachian folk tales, picture books, film and jokes for shared characteristics.
Curated OER
African Americans Seen Through the Eyes of the Newsreel Cameraman
Fifth graders become familiar with the role of African Americans during WWII. In this WWII lesson plan, 5th graders watch a newsreel and discuss its use as a primary source. Students answer questions about the newsreel.
Curated OER
The City Symphony- The Original Reality Show
Students discuss the purpose of city symphonies that were used in the past. In groups, they compare and contrast the social systems of a school and city to create their own city symphony video together. They also write what is known as...
Curated OER
Life During the Civil War for Women and Civilians
Students follow an overview of the American Civil War from a film, the text and/or teacher direct instruction. They create a timeline with a large map of the U.S. in the 1860's available for student reference as they do the spider activity.
Curated OER
A Whole Lotta Shakin'
Young scholars read first hand accounts of earthquake survivors in order to begin the describe the different types of earthquake waves and the order in which they arrive. They engage in using earthquake waves as a means to indirectly...