Curated OER
Four Corners Debate
Should the student population wear uniforms to school? Pupils express whether they strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with a controversial statement, moving to a designated corner of the room to indicate their stance....
Curated OER
Inner Circle/Outer Circle Debate Strategy
Arranged in facing concentric circles, half the class discusses an issue. The other half of the class takes notes which are then used to fuel a class discussion and to prepare editorial opinions on the topic at hand. So much emphasis is...
Curated OER
Rosa Parks Changed the Rules
Students complete a diagram of the Montgomery bus that carried Rosa Parks into the history books. They read about Rosa Park's contributions to the Civil Rights movement. They role play Rosa Park's refusal to move to the back of the bus.
Education World
The African American Population in US History
How has the African American population changed over the years? Learners use charts, statistical data, and maps to see how populations in African American communities have changed since the 1860s. Activity modifications are included to...
Education World
Black History Month Rap
Young scholars write a rap or hip-hop lyric about the life of a famous Black American. They explore famous Black Americans in history and explore how the rap form compares to other forms of poetic expression.
Education World
Putting Turkey on a Table (or a Graph)
Grateful learners put turkey on a table (or a graph)! Through a creative project they show statistical information about turkey population, production, and consumption. A great Thanksgiving activity that can be applied at any time to the...
Curated OER
This Is My Life
Students create a time line of their lives from the perspective of 50 years in the future.
Curated OER
Sharing African Culture
Students investigate African American culture by reading aloud an African folk tale and illustrating the tale. They use their illustrations to create a book or a bulletin board that retells the folk tale.
Curated OER
The Problem with Profiling
Students explore the issue of racial profiling and post their conclusions to a youth message board. They research the issue of racial profiling and post their thoughts to a message board.
Curated OER
Put a Woman on a Stamp
Students nominate a woman to appear on a postage stamp. They explore the contributions of American women. Explain to students that the U.S. Postal Service issues 25 to 40 new commemorative stamps each year.
Curated OER
Join Gloria Steinem
Students research events relating to the Chicana rights movement and analyze the 1973 Chicana Caucus Resolutions. They draft a set of Chicana rights resolutions.
Curated OER
Art Imitates Life
Elementary and middle schoolers examine postcards depicting World War I events. Eventually, they create prints that reflect their own lives. In an interesting blend of history and current events, this instructional activity should engage...
Curated OER
Poetry of War and Peace
Students read and discuss the poem "In Flanders Fields," then write poems evoking images of peacetime. They practice the techniques of writing poetry while using textual imagery to create visual images.
Curated OER
The ABCs of the Holocaust
The ABC book format is used to organize information found in a Holocaust research project. Class members use the library and/or online resources to collect information and organize their findings under key terms, places, or names. Before...
Curated OER
The Perfect Pet
Young scholars take on role of an associate in a pet shop and help imaginary customers compare pets for sale.
Curated OER
Money Math Match
Students hunt for the classmate who holds a bag of coins equal in value to theirs, study that different combinations of coins can represent the same amount of money and practice using coins to represent a set value in different ways.
Curated OER
Thinking Ahead to Next Year
End your school year in reflection. Ask your class to leave advice for those who follow in their footsteps, or write informative letters to the teachers who teach them next year. This is a great way to gather memories, improvements,...
Curated OER
This Is America! Flag Collage
In a visual essay of their thoughts about "What America Means to Me," kids of any age can create a collage about their country. Originally intended to be created physically, learners could share their projects online by using an...
Curated OER
"Memories of Mom" Memento
Students brainstorm a list of writing topics for a "Memories of Mom" book, choose one of the topics as the subject of a daily essay and combine a week of daily essays into a book to give their mothers for Mother's Day.
Curated OER
Clean Up Hazardous Waste!
Learners identify sources of home hazardous waste and create posters to educate the community about how to handle hazardous wastes.
Curated OER
How Far Is It?
Students use a map key to estimate the distance from Salt Lake City, Utah, to ten other cities. Then they use an online distance calculator to see how close their estimates come!
Curated OER
Reading Olympics
Celebrate the joy of reading with activities that center on having fun with books. The teacher creates a variety of "Reading Olympics" categories for the class to compete in, including who can find the longest word, or create the longest...
Curated OER
Olympic Decimals
Add competitive event times, expressed in decimals, to determine the winners! Individuals use a chart showing competitors' times in four events to figure each team's total time and individual standing.
Curated OER
Fifty States Field Day
Students explore the 50 states in preparation for a special field day. On the actual field day, the oldest students in the school manage each of 50 physical activity stations. They share information about each state and introduce the...