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Unit Plan
Curated OER

Mexico: A Look At Its Culture and Geography

For Teachers 1st
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Friday and Friends: A Prospectus of the Mexican Family through Children's Literature

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students use literature to examine how the structure of families in Mexico has changed over time. In groups, they examine how their life now relates to their ancestors and the Spanish conquest of the area. As a class, they are read...
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Website
PBS

Latino Americans: Timeline of Important Dates

For Students 4th - 12th Standards
From 1500-2000, an interactive timeline details important events related to Latino Americans. Next, to each date are small, yet informative blurbs—some of which include videos. 
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Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Dia de los Muertos: Honoring our Ancestors Through Community Celebration

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
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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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ofelia Romero The Maya Culture and Civilization

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the Mayan culture, number system, alphabet, hieroglyphics, history, civilization, artistry, and sports in this series of lessons.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dia de los Muertos

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders research the Day of the Dead, an important Mexican holiday. They view videos, investigate Mexican geography and history and compare the Day of the Dead to the celebration of Halloween.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Democracy

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the denial of rights to individuals in the United States.  For this American Government lesson, 11th graders study President Roosevelt's Day of Infamy speech.  Students create a presentation on the denial of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Africans in Mexico

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students read case studies to examine the role of Africans in Mexico. Using maps, they research the areas that are discussed in the text and map out movement maps of Africans to and from Africa. They research the history of the Mexico...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Life of Albert Pike

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders study the ways Albert Pike affected the history of Arkansas. They discover the many roles that he experienced such as being a teacher, poet, author, lawyer, Freemason and a Civil War General. They work in groups to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scenes of Reverence: The Virgin of Guadalupe

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers learn the history of Christianity in New Spain. They learn the story and significance of the Virgin of Guadalupe. They compare and contrast images of the Virgin and religious art to European counterparts.
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Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Celebrating Cinco de Mayo Without Stereotypes

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Put more meaning into your Cinco de Mayo party with geography lessons, literature, and more!
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Aztec Food

For Students 8th - 12th
Combining social studies and geography, pupils identify the various foods eaten by the Aztecs. They create a recipe for an Aztec evening meal, including preparation instructions. Next, they explain why the Aztecs ate foods commonly found...
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Activity
Hildegard Center for the Arts

Mardi Gras Masks

For Teachers K - 12th
Laissez les bons temps rouler! Create your own festive Mardi Gras masks with a lesson that provides background information on the celebration and instructions about constructing the masks.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Kanaka Village at Fort Vancouver: Crossroads of the Columbia River

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the interaction between Native American and European cultures in the Pacific Northwest in the 1800s. They focus their study on the Hudson's Bay Company and Fort Vancouver.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Literature: Esperanza Rising

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students read and discuss the book, Esperanza Rising. After analyzing and identifying the novel's structural elements, they examine working conditions for migrant workers in the 1930s. As part of the lesson, students in groups choose...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Comparing Cultural Holidays

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore art that reflects their cultural background. For this writing and research lesson students compare and contrast the Halloween with El Dia de los Muertos. Students study the visual art of these holidays. Then...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Border Forum

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students read, analyze, and synthesize news reports on a current border issues. They prepare an oral presentation and written support documents which must clearly and accurately explain an issue to an audience which may be unfamiliar...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Quest for Freedom

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine and discuss the Texas Revolution and the founding of Texas as a Republic. They read about the major events of the Revolution, research the events online, and complete a chart to present to the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Los Californios

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research the culture of Los Californios through primary sources. They examine maps and draw timelines of California historical dates. They investigate deeds and s of ranches and simulate property transactions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Chicano Movement in California - Culture, Causes, and Community

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the culture and community of the Chicano movement in California using prints that emerged from the Chicano movement. The historical, binational, and bicultural components are examined in this three lessons unit.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Could the Civil War Been Avoided Through Compromise?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils determine whether the American Civil War could have been avoided. In this Civil War lesson, students examine primary and secondary sources to prepare to participate in a classroom debate that requires them to compromise to avoid war.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

North America Puzzle

For Students 6th - 9th
In this geography worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle in reference to North America. They identify capitals of some countries, the specific landforms of different areas, and languages spoken. There are 21 clues to solving the...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

North America Puzzle Answer Sheet

For Students 7th - 9th
In this geography instructional activity, students name the capitals of various countries found in North America. They also identify the various weather patterns across the continent and specific bodies of water. There are 21...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Westward Ho

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine primary sources regarding Western migration. In this Manifest Destiny lesson, students determine why the pioneers moved west and what the trip was like as they examine sources and write journals based on their...