Curated OER
Breaking the Chains, Rising Out of Circumstances
Young scholars develop an understanding of art and history. In this activity about sculpture and creating a mood, students will gain an understanding of a moment in history by observing art. Young scholars observe busts, and paintings...
Curated OER
The Buffalo: A Way of Life for the Plains Indians
Eighth graders complete a KWL chart on the Plains Indians. After watching a video, they state the difference between legends and facts about the importance of the buffalo to Native Americans. They also practice their note-taking skills...
Curated OER
Breaking the Chains: Rising Out of Circumstances
Study history through photographs. In this visual arts and history lesson, students learn to analyze photographs to discover details about life during the Civil War era. Students write journal entries as if they are the African-American...
Curated OER
The Value of a Garden
Learners explore the history of taxonomy, the work of Carl Linnaeus, and the factors involved in the decline and extinction of a variety of botanical species.
Curated OER
Special Edition Newspaper on the Trial of Julius Caesar
Tenth graders research the multiple perspectives held by the participants in the trial relative to the conduct and outcome of the trial. Practice writing pertinent and penetrating interview questions for oral interviewing. Take a...
Curated OER
Sing Out Loud: The Slave Spirituals Historical and Cultural Implications during Reconstruction
Students identify, summarize and present facts about cultural, educational and political inequalities of Reconstruction, explain hidden codes of slave spirituals and their importance in slaves' communication, and create poetry based on...
Curated OER
Stewardship of Yosemite National Park
Students devise a plan that would be true to John Muir's spirit of stewardship toward Yosemite. They analyze a core map to determine the original plan and usage of the park and compare the original plan to a current park map.
Curated OER
The Value of a Nation's Currency Goes Beyond Its Price
Sixth graders explore the connection between a nation's currency and its values by analyzing dollars, francs and euros. They discuss how the mottoes, designs, and portraits imprinted on currency are a reflection of heritage and cultural...
Curated OER
The "How's and Whys" of Animal Behavior
Students read examples of behaviors in various animals. They design an experimental question about the behavior. They explain if the question involves the proximate or ultimate level of causation.
Curated OER
The Photographs of Dorothea Lange
Students examine theme in the photography of Dorothea Lange. In this photography lesson, students analyze photography taken by Dorothea Lange and identify themes that run through each. They design an exhibition that shows how the theme...
Curated OER
The Value of a Nation's Currency Goes Beyond its Price
Sixth graders understand the meaning of pictures and words on currency. In this currency lesson, 6th graders examine currency to find cultural relationships with a country. Students locate symbols of the country on the currency. Students...
Curated OER
Giants of the Past
Students create a paper sculpture based on ancient Greek statues. In this visual arts activity, students read the book, The Mysterious Giant of Barletta and use cardstock to create their own statue. Students write a narrative story told...
Curated OER
Into the Fifties: Understanding the Context of Film Genres in the Fifties
Learners discuss prior knowledge of American culture during the 1950's. They complete KWL charts, participate in class discussions and view the documentary film Atomic Café. They record their observations from the film.
Curated OER
Breaking the Chains, Rising Out of Circumstances
Students research slavery in ancient Rome and compare and contrast it to slavery in the United States. In this slavery lesson plan, students investigate the differences of slavery in different parts of the country, write a paper to...
Curated OER
The Roots of Religion: Teacher’s Guide
Students explore ancient cultures. In this ancient religions lesson, students study the civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia they watch "Garden of Eden" and discuss their impressions. Students then research Sumer and prepare...
Huntington Library
The Poetry and Prose of Langston Hughes
Eleventh graders discover the poetry of Langston Hughes. In this social issues lesson plan, 11th graders experience the views of Langston Hughes. Students read Hughes' poetry and discuss the basic theme. Students evaluate the political,...
Curated OER
The Art of Political Cartoons in Revolutionary America
High schoolers analyze political cartoons. In this colonial America lesson, students examine the provided political cartoons and respond to analytical questions about each of them.
Curated OER
An Illustrated Guide to the Late 1800's
Eleventh graders investigate the time of the late 1800's. They conduct research using a variety of resources that could include the internet. Students create an alphabetized encyclopedia of important historical people of the time period.
Curated OER
Journey to Topaz: Directed Reading Thinking Activity
Have you used the directed reading thinking activity in your classroom? Doubling as either a prereading strategy, or a during reading strategy, it helps readers connect the historical background of the text to the text itself. As the...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Propaganda - 9/11 and the War on Terrorism
Propaganda is an important topic that most high school social studies teachers address. Here, students compare and contrast methods of public persuasion during WWII with those used in the contemporary War on Terror. Research, discussion,...
Curated OER
Constitutional Issues: Separation of Powers
Students discribe the principle and the history of separation of powers.
Curated OER
Anasazi Culture
Students explain the cultural and historical development of the Anasazi Indians. They identify different time periods, cultures, and artifacts about the Anasazi people.
Curated OER
How Do I Find Out More About...?
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Era of Good Feelings lesson, 8th graders research historical figures of the Antebellum Period. Students use their findings to create...
Curated OER
History: Fact of Fiction?
Middle schoolers find a historial novel online and distinguish between fiction and nonfiction books. They research three historical events related to their novel and write a letter to a figure from their novel's time period.