Kate Chopin's The Awakening introduces readers not only to the lush Louisiana setting of Grand isle but also to the nuances of Creole culture. the second lesson in a three-part series examines how Chopin's use of literary realism and...

To conclude a study of A Raisin in the Sun and to prepare for a visit to the Lewis Museum, class members analyze Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem." Learners then draw connections to characters in the play and to their own experiences...

Stimulate discussion with this brief article and series of questions related to reading habits. This resource, from the New York Times' The Learning Network, asks learners to comment on their own reading habits. You could have your class...

To better understand the Indian Removal Act of 1830, class members examine primary source documents including letters written by Alabama governors and the Cherokee chiefs. The lesson is part of a unit on the expansion of the United...

Is there a correlation between a country's wealth and the extent of its ecological footprint? What exactly constitutes an ecological footprint, and how does one country stack up against the rest? This is a unique lesson to incorporate...

Barrio de Paz is the story of Nelsa Libertad Curbelo, a nun, who works with the gang youth of Guayaquil, Ecuador. The 17-minute documentary focuses on her explanations for the rise of gangs and for how gang culture reflects...

Middle schoolers review the most recent vocabulary list of French words. Using literature by Victor Hugo and Guy de Maupassant, they discover the history and culture of France. Using a map and the text, they locate the cities and...

Students research the Aztec culture in Mexico. They focus on their religious practices. They write a goal to personally sacrifice something. They also write about the costs and benefits of a sacrifice.

Students decorate cups or bowls with thematic designs that represent Chinese culture. In this decorating lesson plan, students will decorate their cups or bowls and then “sell” these works of art to partners role-playing as French...

Students identify the parts of the corn stalk in English and Hopi. They discuss the significance of corn to the Hopi culture, and examine a diagram of the corn stalk. They discuss the purposes of the parts of the corn stalk, then label...

Students are read a story about Alejandro and how he builds an oasis to attract animals. Using the text, they discover the needs of the animal not only for water but for safety. They discuss different environmental issues as well as...

Student reflect on the differences between the life of children in the early nineteenth century and their lives in the present. They demonstrate these differences by creating a drawing of "then and now." In addition, they create a...

Students explore different cultural influences and their contribution to Australian identities. They reflect on their own backgrounds and making links with their peers, reflect on our heritage. Students view My family- My Australia,...

Music reflects culture and culture is reflected in popular music. Reading an article on how hip-hop has affected the lives of two young men of different races launches an investigation of the development and influences of various musical...

Students explore Shakespeare as part of American culture. In this Shakespearean culture lesson, students view video clips about modern theater.  Students read excerpts from Shakespearean plays and other commentaries.

Sixth graders research Ancient Greek culture by acting in a play for the festival of Dionysus. In this Greek culture lesson, 6th graders study an ancient Greek map and the Sarcophagus Dionysus from the Walters Art Museum website....

Students explore a Spanish speaking country and compare their research to their initial expectations and biases regarding the Hispanic culture. They share their findings with the class.

Students present a travelogue, an alternate format to preparing their writing, of a specific U.S. geographic region that includes the aspects of population, climate, landforms, economics, culture, famous people and places and natural...

Students discover the Harlem Renaissance. In this early 20th century lesson, students use various primary sources including handouts, worksheets, maps, music, and poetry to examine aspects of African American culture. Students will...

Students explore the culture of the Iroquois in order to write a new version of Cinderella. In this lesson on the traditions and life of the Iroquois, students engage in several activities, 8 different center and conduct research to gain...

Students explore African clothing. In this African culture social studies lesson plan, students brainstorm types of clothing they wear for different occasions. Students view photographs of Africans wearing Western clothing and "special...

Learners examine the dynamics of change and compare and contrast it with other cultures. They cite examples of how people change over time and explain why it is necessary. Students organize a skit, Webpage, or Powerpoint presentation...

An ESL class writes a description of an aspect of a holiday from another country. They illustrate their description and present their finished work product to their classmates. 

Evaluating a variety of narrative texts can help build strong writers. Pupils identify plot elements and their relation to personal experience, then apply what they gleaned from the class discussion to create their own narratives.