Center for Civic Education
What Basic Ideas Are in the Preamble to the Constitution?
Introduce young historians to the US Constitution with this upper-elementary social studies lesson plan. Beginning with a general discussion about the role of government in society, young scholars go on to work in small...
Curated OER
Rice Around the World
Third graders draw pictures to show the life of early colonists and how they set the standard for rice farming. In this rice farming lesson plan, 3rd graders read about how and when Americans set the standards for growing and producing...
Curated OER
South Carolina's African American Women: "Lifting As We Climb"
Middle schoolers explore the formation of the National Association of colored Women's Club. In this civil rights lesson, students research the history and mission of the NACWC.
Curated OER
Gran Quivira: A Blending of Cultures in a Pueblo Indian Village
Students examine the changing life ways of the inhabitants of a Pueblo Indian village from the 7th century to the arrival of the Spanish in the early 17th century. They explain the influence of Spanish missionaries on the lives the...
Curated OER
Miwok Storytelling Legend Movie
Students research the art of storytelling. The stories were used by societies to tell about significant events in the lives of individuals. There are important aspects of storytelling composition and performance that make the delivery...
Curated OER
Learning from the Past: A New Approach
Young scholars research nonprofit organizations. As they research, they learn how those living in the colonial period formed community organizations to provide for the common good of their society. Each pupil chooses one organization to...
Curated OER
Love And Marriage
Fourth graders examine and compare Indian and American culture in order to develop a better understanding of both.
Curated OER
Like Comparing Bison and Fish
Fourth graders examine the cultures of early American Indians in North America and how geographic characteristics impacted the development of American Indian cultures. Students discuss Lewis and Clark, their journey, the Plains Indians,...
Curated OER
Inuit Culture: The Family
Students examine the attributes of Inuit families. In this cultural practices lesson plan, students read "Saqiyuq: Stories for the Lives of Three Inuit Women," and respond to 10 comprehension and critical thinking questions about the...
Curated OER
Michigan's Early History
Students use maps and lecture notes to discover the diverse history of the state of Michigan. After gathering their information, students develop interview questions that might be used to interview an elderly person in their community.
Curated OER
Savvy in Sacramento
Students take a field trip to the state capital, Sacramento. Using the Internet, they explain the physical and human geographic features of the area and discuss interactions between the people of California between the time of explorers...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
One Land, Many Trails: English Language Development Lessons (Theme 5)
English is not the only subject that requires its own set of vocabulary words—geography does too! A series of language development lessons designed to be used with Theme 5: One Land, Many Trails helps introduce readers to key vocabulary...
Core Knowledge Foundation
Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims
Teach kindergartners about the First Thanksgiving with a series of lessons about the Pilgrims' journey to the New World. As they practice handwriting, CVC words, reading comprehension, and fun Thanksgiving songs, they learn about what...
Curated OER
Building Bridges: Living in a Diverse Society
Students participate in various activities that help them build esteem, and explore racism. In this multicultural lesson plan, Students increase their awareness of, and appreciation for, cultural differences and similarities. This...
Curated OER
History & Civics Lesson for Grades 5-7
Students become aware of the culture, lifestyles and attitudes of Native American kids living on the Crow, Navajo and Nez Perce; reservations.
Curated OER
Naming Names on Mars
Students examine maps of New Hampshire to determine town and physical features that have Native American and European names. They discuss the reasons for these names to determine what influences the naming of places. They name geographic...
Curated OER
Creating a Neighborhood Timeline
Students research information about their neighborhoods. Uncovering facts about geology and Native Americans, they examine how the neighborhood has evolved over time. They work together to create a timeline of specific events.
Curated OER
When Worlds Collide
Students research on a focused topic. They gather information from a range of sources and orally cit it in a presentation. Students connect information acquired in previous lessons with research on the assigned topic. They research...
Curated OER
Functions and Graphs -- Pattern Detection #1
Students discuss the job of an archaeologist by determining how people have used their environment. Using a graph, they analyze the patterns and functions of Native Americans in Arizona using maize. They work together to answer...
Curated OER
Our Small World
Students explore indigenous and Native cultures, and promote appreciation for the contributions from these cultures. They explore the concept of cultural conservation and gain more understanding about the issues that tribes face today. ...
Curated OER
Stereotypes and Tonto
Students identify stereotypes, especially those applied to American Indians. In this teaching tolerance lesson, students read an essay entitled " I Hated Tonto (Still Do)" and discuss the negative impact that stereotypes may have...
Curated OER
The Trail of Tears; Its Grief and Loss
Fifth graders trace the development and expansion of the US while studying the Trail of Tears. They examine the political factors and analyze the impact the Indian Removal Act had upon a society. They present a case for or against the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Colonizing the Bay
Eleventh graders review the goals of John Winthrop. In this American History lesson, 11th graders read Winthrop's speech and summarize his key points. Students predict the possibilities for success and failure in the...
Curated OER
Where Indians and Bison Meet
Fifth graders examine a transparency of the Pre-2004 Monticello Nickel and compare it to the American Bison Nickel. They research Native American tribes and discover why the bison was so important to them. They create products showing...