Here's a packet of activities, designed to be used with the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt textbook, that will engage and challenge learners who have already mastered the basic skills in a thematic unit study of traditions.

Kids compare and contrast music from the past to the present. They listen to and review the characteristics of Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, and Pop music. Then, they discuss the differences in each and how musical icons from the past...

Collaborative groups examine the importance of energy resources on quality of life by researching different energy sources and alternative energy sources through data analysis. They make a comparison of different countries and cultures,...

Find out the science behind ancestry testing! Investigators watch a video exploring how ancestry works before participating in a hands-on group activity. Scholars role play scientists while learning about testing protocols and test...

English learners practice basic weather terms from listening to two books. They keep a daily weather record for two weeks to record the type of weather, as well as the high and low temperatures for each day. Next, they complete a simple...

How did World War I effect the United States' status as a world power? Pupils examine a website to learn many interesting facts about American involvement during World War I. They read passages and interact with artifacts in an online...

Young scholars investigate many of the relationships that contribute to the look and design of decorative arts objects.

Third graders "take a trip" to Japan. They discover what life is like for a typical Japanese child and compare/contrast it to life in America. They give an oral presentation of Japanese holidays and festivals.

Middle schoolers engage in a lesson that focuses on the influence of American values placed upon the Indians. Students use primary and secondary documents in order to explore the indoctrination. They create a project that reflects...

Learners become familiar with some of the food of Southeast Asia. The explore various examples of how culture has been shaped through the influence of food within Southeast Asia.

Students in an ESL classroom identify and locate the states on a United States map. Using the internet, they research to compare the holidays in their home country and the United States. They share their findings in an email to...

Whether democracy will ever take hold in Islamic nations continues to be a topic of great debate. Here, a series of questions, research, and discussion provide a foundation for class members to come to their own conclusion which they...

Learners witness first hand what it feels like to be discriminated against.

Young scholars improve motor skills through careful folding, a discipline necessary in the practice of origami. They develop multicultural awareness by exploring Japanese history.

Students explore the concept of crossing cultures. They examine how Americans may be viewed by people in another culture and discover that that Peace Corps Volunteers are trained to cross cultures respectfully so that they are accepted...

Students research specific information for the United Nations and present them in a PowerPoint presentation. They connect with another student in in their country of research by emailing them. They create a blog of creative writing...

Learners identify how different cultures deal with the challenge of trash. Read an excerpt from a chapter book based on real life written from the Southern Indian perspective. Describe the life of a street child in Southern India....

Students take a closer look at the geographic theme of place. In this geography skills instructional activity, students research their city and create murals that highlight its history, residents, landmarks, and resources.

Second graders explore the holidays of different cultures. For this culture lesson, 2nd graders knowledge about various holidays. Students play a matching game with the name of the holiday and the description. Students research one of...

Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning instructional activity, students examine the impact of the works of Cesar Chavez, George Washington Carver, Sunderlal Buhuguna, and Abdul Sattar Edhi.

Students examine Native American dolls. They discover the connections between the dolls and the Native American culture and customs. They also use maps to locate the position of different tribes.

Fifth graders develop cultural awareness of their heritage, therefore building their self-esteem. They discover the link between learning and social skills and recognize that learning is an integral part of their lives. The recognize...

Students investigate how size affects large and small animals differently. In this animal lesson plan, students determine how size affects different animals by constructing their own animal out of marshmallows. Once students create...

Students explore the concept of social justice. In this service learning worksheet, students read The Sneeches in order to appreciate cultural uniqueness.