Art Institute of Chicago
Lesson Plan: A Writer’s Odyssey
Looking for a fresh approach to an end-of-unit project for The Odyssey? Check out a resource that has class members write their own hero's journey short story and then craft an illustration that depicts their tale. Apollonio di...
Asian Art Museum
Create Your Own Samurai (Breastplate) Armor
Your class is going to love this activity. They get out their rulers, cardboard, and paints as they make Samurai breastplates. The simple art lesson lends itself to many different subjects such as, math/measurement, world history, and...
Curated OER
Visit a Mesopotamian House
Young scholars compare the homes of people who lived in ancient Mesopotamia to their own and explore how climate, natural resources, and cultural differences may have influenced the differences. The house plan can be obtained from the...
Curated OER
The African Burial Ground
Fourth graders analyze findings at African burial grounds. In this research skills lesson, 4th graders research Internet and print sources regarding African American heritage. Students discuss their findings.
Curated OER
Montauk Historic Site
Students study the contributions of the Larrabee family. In this Iowa history lesson, students listen to a lecture regarding William Larrabee's governorship and the building of Montauk home.
Curated OER
Lewis and Clark and the Cottonwoods
Third graders pretend they are museum planners and have to display facts about Lewis and Clarks' Expedition. In this Lewis and Clark lesson plan, 3rd graders research the expedition and display their findings.
Curated OER
Ancient Greece
Sixth graders identify ancient Greek influences in the modern world. In this ancient Greece lesson plan, student research the government, religion, economy, inventions and contributions of Greece. Students participate in a debate about...
Curated OER
Tracing the Origins of Man
Young scholars discuss Hominid evolution through various websites and other resources. They examine online fossil skulls, discuss the use of tools by ancient man, and look for examples of sophisticated tools built by man.
Channel Islands Film
Arlington Springs Man: Lesson Plan 4
West of the West's documentary Arlington Springs Man introduces viewers to the remarkable finds on Santa Rosa Island. Archaeologist have discovered on this small island that is part of the Channel island chain, human and pygmy mammoth...
Curated OER
Arkansas State Mineral: Quartz Mineral
The quartz crystals found in the mountains of Arkansas are among the purest and clearest in the world! This lesson has middle schoolers focus on this state mineral of Arkansas as they study the state's geography. A fun game is...
Channel Islands Film
Dark Water: Lesson Plan 3 - Grades 6-12
After watching the documentary Dark Water about a traditional Chumash ceremony and reading a Chumash origin story, viewers are asked to create a coat of arms and to craft an essay that details a family tradition or their own origin story.
Field Museum
The Case of Darwin's Finches
One of the most striking pieces of evidence for Darwin's Evolution of Species was his observations of finches and how their beaks differed from island to island, depending on their primary food sources. So what would happen to the theory...
Curated OER
Kiskiack: Changing Architectural Landscape
Learners compare and contrast the changing Native and English colonial architectural landscape of the 17th and 18th centuries. Students research and evaluate how economic technology, and the environment reflected cultural changes in the...
Curated OER
Survival Skills
Middle schoolers investigate the challenges the Inuit people face in today's society. Students conduct Internet research on Inuit history and culture. Then middle schoolers write a news report about the Inuit Nation and their struggles...
Curated OER
Building Up, Breaking Down
Students investigate how rocks are modified into construction materials. In this building up and breaking down lesson plan, students explore what happens to building materials over time and how people modify natural materials. Students...
Curated OER
Celebrate Native American Heritage
Students examine Native American heritage. They explore a museum of Native American culture and explore their food, dress, and customs. They also explore the Native Americans role in the first Thanksgiving.
Curated OER
Reporting Live From...
Students examine the many disasters in West Virginia. In this US history instructional activity, students write about and give an oral presentation of one of the disasters as if they were reporters.
Curated OER
Still Life Painting: Arranging Nature
Young scholars paint their own still life painting. In this still life painting lesson, students analyze still life paintings and paint their own.
Curated OER
Ancient Mediterranean Trade Fair
Sixth graders begin the lesson by discussing how artifacts are located. In groups, they define the terms supply, demand, resources and trade and discuss how the United States is affected by International trade. They use this...
Curated OER
A Natural Connection to the Azores
Learners use primary sources to examine whaling voyages, biology, and geography. In this geography lesson, students analyze ship logs and plot locations of animals and determine routes using latitude and longitude.
Curated OER
Elements of Culture
Sixth graders work in small groups to research an ancient culture using guide questions. They use note-taking and research skills, and organize their research information using a software graphic organizer program. They create a museum...
Curated OER
Water Stories
Young scholars interpret historical accounts, stories and customs to draw conclusions about the people who populated New Mexico and their relationship to water. They describe the human and natural characteristics of places in New Mexico.
Curated OER
The City of New Haven
Students examine the geography, politics and history of their local town of New Haven, Connecticut. Using the internet, they explore the neighbors of New Haven and write directions from their house to school. In groups, they research...
Curated OER
From Airmail to Airlines
Students explore changes in air transportation from 1920 to the present. In this air flight lesson plan, students are introduced to the history of air transportation. This lesson plan contains three different activities that will...