Center for Civic Education
Martin Luther King Jr. and the Power of Words
It is easy to forget the power that written or spoken word can have in effecting change. Using quotations from such inspirational leaders as Maya Angelou, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr., encourage your class members to...
US Institute of Peace
Simulation on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Why do Israel and Palestine have a history of conflict? Learners find out by participating in a simulation. They work through a scenario and take on one of 27–30 roles. They put themselves in the shoes of people from Israel, Palestine,...
Curated OER
Ancient Artifacts
Learners research the earliest Americans. In this ancient civilizations lesson, students investigate the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas. Learners examine artifacts used in the cultures and then determine what the artifacts were used for and...
Scholastic
Using Poetry to Explore Change and Belonging
Change, growth, and a sense of belonging are the focus of a unit that uses poetry to explore these themes and the distinguishing features of poetry as well.
Curated OER
Mayan Farming Practices
The introduction of this lesson requires reading a from The Maya by Jaqueline Dembar Greene. Learners sketch a Mayan during the reading. Teaching strategies include direct instruction, grouping the students for discussions, reasearch,...
Curated OER
Elementary Reading: Five Passages with Questions
Five brief readings with questions support practice with various literacy skills. In some cases, learners identify whether underlined words are spelled correctly. Other times, they answer reading comprehension questions about the text or...
Curated OER
Appreciating Diversity: A Multicultural Lesson Based on the Traditional Clothing of the Maya
Learners compare the traditional Mayan clothing to their everyday clothing. In this multicultural appreciation lesson, students look at images of traditional Mayan clothing and discuss its importance.
Poetry Foundation
Dream in Color - High School
Whether focusing on African American poets, Black History Month, or the poetic experience, an amazing toolkit that encourages learners to develop unique poetic voices deserves a place in your curriculum.
Curated OER
Understanding Mayan Culture
Students study an ancient culture in Mexico whose people were called the Mayans. They compare certain aspects of Mayan culture with Ancient Egypt. They discuss why some other ancient cultures (Egypt and China) were able to survive for...
Curated OER
Sky Watchers: Ancient Astronomers
Students close their eyes and picture the sky. They are asked to brainstorm things they may see in the course of a night and day, such as the movement of the sun, moon, and stars. Students work in groups to coduct their research. They...
Curated OER
Mesoamerican Carving Project
Third graders are introduced to the use of glyphs and relief carving by Mesoamerican cultures. They complete worksheets, view PowerPoint presentations, participate in a Webquest and create an original glyph carving in sandstone.
Curated OER
The Maya
Students demonstrate an understanding of the Mayan Culture. This is done by developing and answering questions about cultural traditions. They also label geographical regions on a map to incorporate Geography.
Curated OER
Remember Me Fondly
Students will learn how two cultures express ideas of remembrance and honor ancestors by investigating Mexico's Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, and America's Memorial Day, as well as the Vietnam Memorial. They will learn about...
Curated OER
Mixing Up the Melting Pot
Students examine the cultures of indigenous peoples and how they have or have not assimilated into modern society. They create reports with recommendations on how the Nukak of Columbia could be assimilated into society.
Curated OER
Magic, Sass, and Rage
Students are introduced to the characteristics of autobiographies. In groups, they read Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and develop their own rules for survival in the classroom. They bring in family photos in an...
Curated OER
Mayan Culture
Students examine the attributes of the Mayan culture. In this Mayan culture activity, students identify the structure of social classes in Mayan society and design posters that feature their findings.
Curated OER
The Achievements and Challenges of Guatemala
Students research the Mayan number and calendar system. They translate a variety of math problems from base-10 Arabic numbers into a base-20 Mayan representation. They discuss current challenges faced by the people in today's Guatemala.
Curated OER
Latin American Music
Learn about the music of Latin America! Four types of music are defined by their instruments, uses, and cultural impact or influences. Indigenous, Iberian, African influenced, and Urban music are all discussed.
Curated OER
Weavers Tell Their Stories
Students examine the practice of weaving by Mayan women. They read personal accounts and write a sentence stating the main idea. They also write a short report on weaving as a cultural and economic way of life for the Mayan women.
Curated OER
Central And South America And Their Ancient Civilizations
Fifth graders listen to lectures on the ancient civilizations of the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans. They construct a mask base and then decorate it in thirds with symbols meaningful to each of the three cultures being studied.
Curated OER
Mexico: A Look At Its Culture and Geography
Students canvass the Mexican geography, culture, dress, language, crafts, and traditions in this unit of eight lessons. The Mexican Independance Day is compared to our own and the contributions of the Mayan, Azetec, and Spanish are...
Curated OER
A Likely and Unlikely Match: Frida and Diego
Delve into the fascinating relationship between Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera using this resource. Learners discuss the lives of these famous artists, and talk about the ways Frida Kahlo incorporated elements of this tumultuous...
Poetry Foundation
Dream in Color — Middle School
Celebrate diversity with a toolkit designed to inspire young poets to develop their own voices. After examining poems by African American poets, individuals craft their own poetic stories. The packet features poems by Gwendolyn Brooks,...
EngageNY
Two Graphing Stories
Can you graph your story? Keep your classes interested by challenging them to graph a scenario and interpret the meaning of an intersection. Be sure they paty attention to the detail of a graph, including intercepts, slope,...