Students explore Native American literature. In this cultural diversity lesson plan, students read selected Native American books and analyze the themes of the books and familiarize themselves with the vocabulary used in the books.

Fourth graders investigate the concept of heroes and role models within the Native American community. They use primary and secondary resources to answer specific questions intended to bring the students to a definition of Native...

Students explore the Choctaw Native American tribe.  In this cross curriculum literacy and U.S. history lesson, students locate where the Choctaw Indians lived on a United States map.  Students listen to When Turtle Grew...

Student groups retell stories from Iroquois storytellers. They role-play Iroquois women, men and children and explain their roles. They read "Knots on a Counting Rope" and make up their own stories. They create timelines. They visit a...

Students investigate how early European exploration and colonization resulted in cultural and ecological interactions among previously unconnected peoples. They comprehend that Europeans had misconceptions about Native American literacy...

Give your class a deeper understanding of the context and meaning behind early American song lyrics. By reading the lyrics to "Yankee Doodle" and  "Revolutionary Tea," high schoolers will practice analysis by examining the...

Students explore Christopher Columbus's motives. In this character education lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding the life and actions of Christopher Columbus in order to write essays that his actions as the...

Fifth graders read about the Revolutionary War.  For this history lesson, 5th graders review what they know about the the Revolutionary War in order to identify British and American leaders.  Students read a chapter from their...

Learners participate in a close reading. They examine the text closely for implied and hidden meaning, dissect the story to understand the text as a written craft, and discuss significant details and overall meaning of story. They...

Read and analyze poems by African-American authors. Using the text, they identify the various patterns, subjects, language and dialects used. Then team up to compare and contrast the various authors and define new vocabulary. The lesson...

Students explore U.S. history by researching famous Americans. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson plan, students read portions of a biography about Franklin and identify his position within U.S. politics and as a leader in the battle for...

Students present information on a Native American role model in the community to the class. They gain an understanding of what a role model is. They discuss role models and choose one to interview for their presentation to the class.

Students find compare an African, Native American, and European folktale. In this folktale lesson, students listen to three different folktales before finding the similarities and differences in them. They complete a worksheet of...

Third graders examine different types of information and evaluate its accuracy. In groups, they research tribal heroes from the present and past. As a class, they identify what they need to look for to determine if the information is...

Students listen to John Steptoe's story, "Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters," and then identify similarities and differences between an African, a Native American, and a European folktale.

Students explore U.S. history by reading biographical material in class. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson plan, students identify the life of Franklin and the events that led him to become one of America's first heroes. Students complete...

Why is Christopher Columbus one of the most studied figures in history? Upper graders will investigate why Christopher Columbus traveled to the New World and what happened to the native people he encountered. They read and discuss...

Students examine the role of myths and folklore in the Native American culture. They listen to examples of oral history and write their own. They share their story with the class.

Students create raven masks. In this Northwest Coast Native American lesson plan, students design and create Kwakiutl-style hats that feature the shapes, animals, and colors used by the Northwest Native Americans.

Students compare and contrast the Eight Immortals with American super- heroes, such as Superman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman while examining the literary genre of folktales and its connection to art.

Third graders view various murals and explore the characteristics of heroes and how heroes can be represented in art. They choose a hero, then write and illustrate a short report on his or her life.

Sixth graders study Columbus Day in relation to who discovered Canada. They complete a KWL about Canada and discuss Columbus Day as an American holiday. After viewing a video, they read articles of Christopher Columbus and work in groups...

Dive your class into a reading of Island of the Blue Dolphins with this in-depth study guide. Breaking the novel into three parts, the resource begins each section with a focus activity that identifies a specific theme or question...

Students investigate cultural traditions. For this multi-cultural lesson, students discuss various cultures and research their traditions.