Curated OER
From Magpies to Messiaen: Birds in Music
Students in a music class discuss the influence birds have had on music throughout history. In groups, they create their own music using bird sounds and discuss how many composers must use everyday materials to help with their music. ...
Curated OER
It's a Crash Test, Dummy
Students use the internet to research air bags in cars and trucks. In groups, they discover air bags history and the safety issues surrounding them. They create their own design of a new air bag and test it using a raw egg in...
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Egypt, Mesopotamia, Indus River, and Huang He Civilizations
Young scholars develop a timeline of events associated with Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Indus River, and the Huang He. They prepare a clay, wood, or paper model of a representative artifact from one civilization. They write a description of...
Curated OER
Using HyperStudio
Second through eighth graders use the software "HyperStudio" to create a presentation of their choice on Native American lifestyles. One thing I like a lot about this lesson, is that the students are the ones who get to choose and...
Federal Reserve Bank
What Do People Say?
After reading a series of fictitious letters that represent actual events during the time period, young historians craft a small town newsletter to explain the causes of the Great Depression.
Curated OER
Funding a Way to the Top
Review economic vocabulary, presidential election campaigns, and current campaign budgets (2004). Your class will determine how they feel about the amount of money spent on presidential campaigns, they will read an informational article,...
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Images of Gary: An Ideal Place to Live?
Students examine photographs depicting historical scenes from the US Steel Photograph Collection. They develop criteria to analyze or judge an image's representation. They assess photographs according to the criteria.
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Outstanding African Americans Activity
Challenge historians to investigate influential African-Americans through this online research activity. Learners undertake this task using online links, some of which require investigative searching. Print the worksheet out first, so...
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Bringing Peace to the Balkans, Piece by Piece
Students examine how the bond of traditions became the binding force of nationalism for which the Serbian forces now fight at the cost of the lives and livelihoods of ethnic Albanians. explore human rights issues surrounding the conflict...
Curated OER
Art as Therapy
Students explore how they connect with artwork on an emotional level through writing and the creation of an original piece of art.
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Spirit Bear Speaks
Students read an online article about Canadian efforts to preserve Great Bear Rain Forest. They create ecotourism brochures on the forest and write and essay.
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Public vs. Private
Students watch two commericals from previous presidential elections on the topic of healthcare. After reading an article, they identify the position of the various candidates for the 2008 election. In groups, they brainstorm their own...
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Fish Stories
Students conduct background research about a Pacific Rim country to develop a premise for a documentary film about the fate of traditional fishing industries in the area.
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Mapmaker, Mapmaker, Make Me a Map!
Students evaluate the different types of historical and geographical information that one can gather through close study of historical maps from the 16th through the 19th centuries. They create their own maps.
Curated OER
Why Study Economic Downturns?
Research and connect America's current economic downturn with the 1929 Stock Market Crash and the Great Depression.
Curated OER
Cultural and Social Transformation since 1865
Students research the evolution of cultural and social issues in areas of Westward Expansion, Immigration, and Civil Rights. They practice writing clear details with supporting evidence and examples and evaluate ways of improving drafts...
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Haring Art Truck
Young scholars are introduced to the work of Keith Haring and graffiti art in general. They work together to design and paint a car imitating Keith Haring's style.
Curated OER
Changing the Channel
Pupils explore the historic transfer of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama, investigating how this shift might affect various aspects of Panama's economy, relations with other countries, and international trade.
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"Adding It Up" at James Fort
Students discuss jettons and their archaeological importance at Jamestown. They then practice using historic counting sheets and artifacts to understand the calculating methods of the early 17th Century, and identify their similarities...
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Modern Messages
Students explore the aims of artists working in various contemporary art movements, then create works in a similar art style to convey
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Mapping India
Students participate in an activity in which they place placards listing geographic features, landmarks, etc. in the correct place on a large fabric map of a given country. They also examine artifacts, photos, sounds/music, etc. from...
Curated OER
MALI TO MECCA, MANSA MUSA MAKES THE HAJJ
Students explore the historical event when Mansa Musa, Ruler of Mali, made the Hajj (or holy pilgrimage) to Mecca in 1324 AD. They create Web pages or PowerPoint presentations maps, charts, posters, and oral presentations with...
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American Frontiers
Students study the settlement of the American frontier through literature. In this literature lesson, students read and discuss works by James Fenimore Cooper, Bret Harte, Mark Twain, Willa Cather, and Hamlin Garland. Students compare...
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Federalism
Students become familiar with the Federalist papers and the work of the federal government. In this federalism instructional activity, students find similarities and differences between state and federal government.