American Documentary
American Aloha: Hula Beyond Hawai'i
In this lesson, young scholars will examine Hawaii's issues of colonization, authority, authenticity and cultural identity, and understand the distinction between native and non-native Hawaiians. This lesson includes links to videos,...
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Guess Who's Coming to Our Classroom
Learners use their research skills to determine the famous person given in clues. Using a character recently dicussed in their classroom, they discuss how they would create a costume for them. They write sentences to be used as dialogue...
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Symbols and the Choices we Make
Upper elementary and middle schoolers recognize symbols that influence the choices that we make consciously or unconsciously in everyday life. They look at the symbols and choices that others make. They identify and apply knowledge of...
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Glimpses of Japan: Picture books are an avenue to geographical knowledge
Student gains insight into the culture of Japan. They articulate the main ideas and supporting details, also they create a "glimpse of Japan" with an illustrated and written summary of the main idea and four supporting details from the...
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Contemporary: An Alternative Magazine
Students create a magazine that is circulated in an alternative format. They design each issue in the form of a student-created box. They explore issues relating to experiences of young people in different times and places.
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Becoming American: The Chinese Experience
Students examine the experience of Chinese American immigrants in the PBS series BECOMING AMERICAN. ESL learners investigate and explore their own identities within a multicultural context.
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Celebrating Canada
Fourth graders investigate Canadians of diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds. They describe the multicultural, multiracial and multi-ethnic character of Canadian society and take age-appropriate actions to demonstrate their ...
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What is Canadian?
Students explore how artworks can become symbols of national identity. They examine and analyze Song of the Nations, a site specific sculpture by Quebecois artist Armand Vaillancourt that expresses his views of Quebec's position...
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We Found It!
First graders identify and describe landforms. They demonstrate an understanding of the compass rose and a map key using the trail of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. They generate a map key.
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Women's Roles in the Mi'kmaq Community Long Ago
Fifth graders examine the roles of Aboriginal women in their community long ago. They explore the different roles Aboriginal women portray in today's society. They address any stereotyping they may have regarding Aboriginal people.
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In the Future we will all be Mixed Bloods and Mestizoes
Students examine the concept of origin and ethnicity. In this ethnic studies instructional activity, students engage in a variety of interdisciplinary activities including posters, and discussions to better understand our past and future.
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Changing Places
Students investigate the Chinese-American immigration experience. In this assimilation lesson, students watch "Becoming American: The Chinese Experience" and then participate in classroom activities regarding the topic. The activities...
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Opportunity and Danger
Students analyze the immigrant experience. In this Chinese immigration lesson plan, students research Internet and print sources regarding the topic. Students also watch videos regarding the topic and interview immigrants or children...
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Cuban Missile Crisis: Teaching Activities
Students create a timeline of the important events of John F. Kennedy's presidency. They construct a timeline of the major events of the Cuban Missile Crisis. They compare the Missile Crisis events with their presentation in the movie...
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American Made
Students view the Film American Made and view the experiences of a Sikh family in the Western part of America. In this life in America lesson, students explore the life of Americans who might by looks be thought to be...
Smithsonian Institution
Dia de los Muertos: Honoring our Ancestors Through Community Celebration
Oral storytelling has been an important part of every culture. The time-honored practice uses stories as a conduit for a culture's values and customs from one generation to the next. Keep the tradition going with a family interview...
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Social Studies: Getting to Know You
Students in kindergarten and college students engage in dialogue designed to help them get to know each other. They meet at three discussion centers, where the students express what makes them happy, how they are seen, and how they are...
US Institute of Peace
Making a Difference: Becoming a Peacebuilder
Being an agent of change is no easy task! What are some of the common challenges that peacebuilders face every day? The 14th portion in a series of 15 explores the lives of peacebuilders. Grouped pupils discuss these challenges before...
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Exploring the Roots of Modern Dance in America
Students develop an understanding of how African culture impacted modern dance in the United States.
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Totem Poles -- Storytellers of Long Ago
Third graders discover the main purpose for totem poles was to communicate with others. In groups, they compare and contrast the four types of totem poles and the various symbols used. They write their own stories based off of pictures...
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Canadian Olympic Fashion
Students, in groups, research a Canadian Olympic sport and design a uniform for a Canadian Olympic team.
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Idioms Lesson Plan
Sixth graders discover idioms. In this idioms instructional activity, 6th graders evaluate idioms and discover their meaning. Students read Runny Babbit by Shel Silverstein and create unique idioms. Assessment rubric is provided.
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My Family
Students examine artwork that surrounds the topic of "family." They compare and contrast the families in the artwork with their own families. Finally, each student creates a HyperStudio slide of their own artwork that represents their...
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Take a Look in the Mirror: What Do You See?
Students examine their perceptions of themselves. In this personal health lesson, students participate in a classroom activity that requires them to describe themselves and share those descriptions with their classmates. Students also...