Explore universal themes in literature with a literacy and multicultural awareness lesson. Elementary and middle schoolers make real world connections between themes in books from several cultures. They make inferences and locate text...

What does freedom of religion mean? Analyze a series of Supreme Court cases where the First Amendment right to freedom of religion was put to the test. They discuss the cases' outcomes and argue whether the right decision was made....

Eleventh graders analyze the limits and bounds of religious freedom issues in the United States through several Supreme Court case decisions.

Young scholars examine The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. In this visual arts lesson, students study the historical significance of the event as they examine the Grant Wood painting and primary sources regarding the event.

Learners respond to the text Riding Freedom. They will compare and contrast two settings by filling in a graphic organizer. They explore different settings, discuss the reasons why settings change, and draw conclusions using descriptive...

Fifth graders look at how a character's past affects their life. In this character lesson, 5th graders read Riding Freedom by Pam Munoz Ryan. They look at the main characters and see how their past affects their feelings, thoughts,...

Students consider the role of the Freedom Riders. In this American Civil Rights instructional activity, students watch videos, listen to lectures, and conduct research regarding the participants in the Freedom Ride protest. Several...

Young historians explore the underground railroad and life as a slave during the Civil War. After internet research, they discuss the hazards of travel as a slave and the benefits of freedom. Individually, students write a short story...

Fourth graders examine the role a teen from the Hudson Valley played in the American Revolution. They view the map of Sybil's ride and calculate the distance using the map's legend.

Students explore the issues of American slavery, the abolitionist movements, and the pursuit of freedom that is found in art, literature, and music from that period in American history. Students determine the major personalities that...

It's all connected. Learners read event details in Promises to Keep to determine the connection between the bus boycott and Jackie Robinson. They watch a video and read Rules for Riding Desegregated Buses to discover even more details to...

Students listen as teacher role plays how major events impact our lives. In this history lesson, students complete guided and independent practice activities about how the Gold Rush impacted characters in Riding Freedom. Students...

Second graders discover that people can connect the dots of the stars to make pictures in the sky and have been doing so for thousands of years. They understand that throughout the United States people worked together to plan an escape...

Research the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Rosa Parks. Set up different centers and have learners rotate through the activities aimed at researching Rosa Parks. They read The Bus Ride that Changed History: The Story of Rosa Parks, write a...

Students debate the pros and cons of police searching the trash of suspected drug dealers. Students collect background information, and students interview city officials and garbage collectors. Students develop a strategic plan for...

Young scholars discuss expressions of Daoism in Chinese art in this lesson for the high school Social Studies, Humanities, or Asian Studies classroom. The philisophical elements of Daoism are emphasized.

Students read orally in groups of two to increase reading speed and fluency in this lesson. They read provided books which emphasize the short vowel sounds. The pairs time each others reading and offer encouragement and support as they...

Students observe the difference that one person can make. In this Civil Rights Movement lesson, students discuss the concepts of segregation and boycotting. They compare and contrast two African American women who were pivotal to the...

Did you know that modern Chinese literature “grew from the psychoanalytical theory of Sigmund Freud”? Designed for a world literature class, seniors are introduced to “One Evening in the Rainy Season,” Shi Zhecun’s stream of...

Have historians use primary sources to learn about the circumstances and implementation of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and think about the issue of boycotts as a means of effecting social change. Wrap it up with a...

Compare and contrast the ideologies of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle schoolers conduct research regarding civil rights and rhetorical strategies used in political speechs. They examine the strategies that both men employed...

Third graders travel throughout many stations learning about the Underground Railroad.

Eleventh graders discuss the contributions of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.  In this civil rights movement lesson, 11th graders read Rev. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail", answer questions about the letter, share their...

Studnets develop a new equestrian saddle for a paraplegic rider.