Lesson Plan
Adult Fiction by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Ghost Boys: Educator Guide

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
The spirit of the Civil Rights Movement lives on in a more literal than figurative way in Ghost Boys. A focused lesson plan features Jewell Parker Rhodes' novel about ghosts of slain black teenagers, including the main character, Jerome,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 2-Profiles in Courage: To Kill A Mockingbird and the Scottsboro Boys Trial

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Review one of the most memorable cases in the history of the United States. After reading To Kill A Mockingbird, young scholars read and select court transcripts and other primary source material from the Scottsboro Boys Trial of 1933....
Lesson Plan
Anti-Defamation League

The Gender Wage Gap

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
"Equal pay for equal work!" may sound logical but it is not the reality. High schoolers begin a study of the gender wage gap with an activity that asks them to position themselves along a line that indicates whether they strongly agree...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Being Heard

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Examine the work of contemporary authors who use their writing to express opinions about the struggle against prejudice and oppression in our society. A short lesson on the Harlem Renaissance introduces learners to the most prominent...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Polar Express Lesson Plan

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Students write and illustrate a wish for the first gift of Christmas. In this Christmas lesson plan, students read the book The Polar Express and then write what they wish could be the first gift of Christmas.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Video Game Violence: Explore Possible Impacts

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Introduce middle schoolers to the issue of video game violence with a multifaceted approach. Learners complete a gaming survey, as well as read and discuss a news feature about violent video game sales and a handout on stimulus...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ethics of the Bomb: What Would You Do?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Learners research the use of the atomic bomb in WWII, analyze the human costs of dropping the bomb and identify the pros and cons. They develop a PowerPoint presentation on the effects of an atomic bomb dropped on their hometown.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Manga and Me

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Upper elementary and middle school learners study Manga cartooning and create a Japanese character based on their own features and personalities. This style of cartooning is easily-accessible for most students. With a little practice,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coming Home:From the Life of Langston Hughes

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders listen to the non-fiction book: COMING HOME: FROM THE LIFE OF LANGSTON HUGHES. They identify examples of metaphors and similies within the book and understand how this figure of speech is used in writing. They then create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Stereotypes

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners study 'stereotype' in literature and life and give examples. they provide examples from life or literature on the origins and impact of stereotypes. they 3. Cite 3 - 5 individual African Americans from literature or life who...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heroes

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students demonstrate racial awareness. In this diversity instructional activity, students read the book Heroes by Ken Mochizuki. Students participate in a discussion about how the character was discriminated against. A follow-up reading...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Retell the Story

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Learners identify bias in books. For this character education lesson, students read a text and discuss any gender or racial bias which may be present. Learners retell and rewrite the story in a fair way.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mystery and Mayhem

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students use literature to examine the violence and loss of innocence during the 1960s. In this U.S. history lesson, students read Robert McCammon's Boy's Life to investigate the social unrest, violence and loss of innocence in the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Childhood Stories of Truth and Nonviolence

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore the childhood of Martin Luther King, Jr. In this nonviolent resistance lesson, 5th graders listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of King's early life and how that life contributed to his...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Writing About Race

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore racial discrimination focusing on Jim Crow laws. They read an excerpt from Richard Wright's autobiography and discuss how viewing the subject from the his point of view affects their opinions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Feudalism

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Pupils have tournaments in teams after learning information about The Middle Ages. In this Middle Ages lesson plan, students learn that tournaments are mock battles, but that they will have these battles by answering questions in teams...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Was That Fair?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students discuss the concept of fairness. In this fairness lesson, students look at different scenarios and see if the behavior seems fair. They talk about their answers with their classmates.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The American Civil War: Segregation

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Learners examine the feelings associated with segregation and then act out a scene based on those feelings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction of Primary Sources

For Teachers 1st
First graders are introduced to photographs and newspaper articles to be used as primary sources. Using a projecter, they are shown photographs of a famous person to prove they were real and not make believe. In groups, they use...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King, Jr.

For Teachers K - 2nd
Primary learners will embrace diversity and celebrate multiculturalism through these engaging activities. Which include reading the story Martin Luther King and singing the song "A Man Named King." They will also explore the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating A Life Map

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners investigate the concept of a life plan and how to write one with the help of a graphic organizer that encourages one to create a timeline for planning. They write journal prompts that are based upon personal knowledge of life...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What About Films?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students watch and analyze a film of an Appalachian folktale. They define trickster and anti-hero, view and discuss the film, complete a handout, compose an original film review, and debate each character's behavior.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Racism And Discrimination

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers watch and analyze the short film "Broken Dreams" and discuss the causes and effects of racism and discrimination. They answer discussion questions related to the film, then create a leaflet entitled "Racism and...
Lesson Planet Article
Lesson Planet

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month with Earnest Research

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Incorporating research and project-based learning while celebrating Native American Heritage Month.