Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Johnny Appleseed or John Chapman: Which Character is Your Favorite?

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Learners study the life of John Chapman and compare it with the fictional character, Johnny Appleseed. Students listen to books about Johnny Appleseed, and watch a video and PowerPoint if available. They make a KWL chart, make an online...
Lesson Plan
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Tango Stories

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students listen to tango music and research the country it came from. In this music lesson plan, students find that tango music comes from Argentina. They listen and dance to the music and then write stories. 
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Chinese Minority Cultures

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders identify the elements that characterize culture in literature. Students analyze the representation of Chinese minority peoples through textbooks. Students identify and interpret the differences among the people of China.
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A Book Is A Window To the World

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders listen to pieces of literature that take place in different regions of the world. Using a map, they identify and locate the continents and oceans mentioned in the story. They describe the physical and human characteristics...
Lesson Plan
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Frontier Life Story

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils explore American frontier life. In this history lesson, students participate in a series of activities that challenge them to discover what pioneer life was really like.
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5 W Questions

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders practice asking the 5 W questions by reading a Boxcar Children book.  In this journalism lesson, 2nd graders read a single story from the Boxcar Children series and answer the 5 W's about each specific chapter....
Lesson Plan
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Utilizing Art, Literature and Film to Teach Black History

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders are introduced to different aspects of African-American history through literature, art, and films. As a class, they are read a story about the Underground Railroad, identify the main characters and put the events into...
Lesson Plan
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A True Story Appalachia

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils engage in a reading activity to learn about the Appalachia Mountains. The use of literature is important to provide context for the geography lesson. This lesson is strong because it allows the teacher to teach across the curriculum.
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What is a Folktale?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are read an apache folktale and discuss the characters in the story. Using the text, they identify the factors that make it a folktale and not a fairy tale. On a map, they locate where the Apache people live. As a class, they...
Lesson Plan
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The Silly States: Where Is Your State and City?

For Teachers 1st
First graders read The Scrambled States of America and discuss whether it is real or fantasy as compared to the United States. For this geography lesson, 1st graders identify their city or state on a map and work in groups to color the...
Lesson Plan
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People and Places in Indiana's Underground Railroad

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders use an Indiana map to explain why Indiana's geographic location was important to its role in the UGR. They experience personal stories and feelings of the people involved in UGR through role-play and literature.
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Puerto Rico: The 51st State?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the political status of Puerto Rico. In this global studies lesson, students explore Puerto Rico and consider the feelings of Puerto Ricans regarding their unique political status.
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Latin American Film

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars critique, discuss, and identify characters in a film about Latin America. In this Latin America lesson plan, students watch the film and discuss the film and everyday life.
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Eastern Woodland and Plains Indians

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders are introduced to the American Indian tribes - Eastern Woodland and Plains Indians. They complete various comparison activities to explore how differently they lived.
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Thematic Unit: Beginning Holocaust Studies

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders discuss concepts of diversity, culture, and prejudice, gain understanding of harm caused by prejudice, and demonstrate ability to think critically and a desire to act morally.
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African Savanna

For Teachers 1st
First graders are introduced to the ecosystems of savannas throughout the world. Using new vocabulary, they identify and describe the characteristics of a savanna and the animals that live there. They also describe the Earth's physical...
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Lands That I Love

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create a graph showing their family roots. They read about how immigrants can develop strong feelings for two countries. They discover the importance of their earliest memories.
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Mississippi Delta Blues Moves: Second in a Series of Three with Barb Hoffman and Steve Hoskins, MGM

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students complete a graphic organizer reviewing Barb Hoffman's prior lesson," Slave Songs (1840-1876)" as well as listen to and discuss Delta Blues music samples. Students research one Delta Blues singer and write a "color coded"...
Unit Plan
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University

De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: American Explorers [Pdf]

For Teachers 2nd - 4th Standards
"American Explorers" is a one page, non-fiction, reading passage about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They traveled from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean with the help of Native Americans and made maps along the way. It is followed by...
Unit Plan
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University

De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: American Explorers [Pdf]

For Teachers 5th
"American Explorers" is a one page, non-fiction, reading passage about the Lewis and Clark Expedition from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean. Along the way they drew maps for future travels. It is followed by constructed-response questions...