New Bedford Whaling Museum
A New Bedford Voyage!
A thorough set of activities, articles, and reference material can enlighten your class about the history of whaling in New England. Kids travel back to a time when whale products were valuable and hunting whales was a way to help the...
PACER Center
Kids Against Bullying Classroom Activity Book
Have class members take the pledge against bullying! Use the eight-page packet during a bullying unit to reinforce the importance of sticking up for others, thinking about what might hurt others' feelings, and ways to prevent bullying.
Digital History
Compensation for Slavery
Should Americans provide compensation to those whose ancestors suffered from slavery? Read and analyze the arguments of two modern-day journalists on the topic. Then, have a discussion on both the merits of the arguments as well as what...
National Park Service
Civil War to Civil Rights: From Pea Ridge to Central High
Explore how the Civil War impacted the Civil Rights Movement. Class members complete a series of projects for a unit that uses a layered curriculum approach to learning.
University of Pennsylvania
Using Comic Strips to Teach Multiple Perspectives
Scholars view comics from two different perspectives; one paints the Alfred Dreyfus as innocent, while the other portrays the exact opposite. They solve the mystery of what happened by analyzing the source, working in groups, and...
Curated OER
Chinese New Year
Gong hei fat choy! Celebrate Chinese New Year with a variety of activities that introduce learners to the Chinese myth of the race that determined which animals earned their place the zodiac.
Curated OER
Picturing a Story: Photo Essay About a Community, Event, or Issue
Students research Dorothea Lange's documentary projects and create their own photo essay about a subject. In this photo essay lesson, students analyze examples of social-documentary photographs of Lange. Students define a social...
Curated OER
Man's Continuing Inhumanity to Man
Students explore social justice issues. For this human justice lesson, students examine the meaning of words associated with minority groups and investigate genocide throughout history.
Curated OER
Our Global Community
First graders experience literature which shows how communities live around the world. In this global community lesson, 1st graders read books such as Whoever You Are, by Mem Fox and create a work of art based on their feelings about the...
Curated OER
The Power of Fiction
Students explore fiction that moves individuals to social action. For this literature lesson, students read The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and analyze its literary worth as well as its investigative journalism. Students investigate other...
Curated OER
Researching Chocolate
Students work in groups to research one part of the chocolate processing procedure. They will publish a written report to present to a younger class.
Curated OER
Social Studies and Children's Literature
Students are read a story about Alejandro and how he builds an oasis to attract animals. Using the text, they discover the needs of the animal not only for water but for safety. They discuss different environmental issues as well as...
Curated OER
Digital Picture Books
Second graders create digital picture books reflecting their experiences during the school year on field trips and various classroom activities. Using digital pictures taken during the year, they write captions for each picture and...
Curated OER
Grandpa's Mountain
Fifth graders read the book Grandpa's Mountain and discuss how land was taken away for "the good of the country". In this social studies lesson plan, 5th graders then create a newspaper, poster, poetry, interviews, surveys, or other...
Curated OER
The Eleventh Hour
Students examine their own understanding of the issues and events that are framing this year's presidential race. They explore the candidates' stances on eight issues and present their findings to the class.
Curated OER
First Amendment Rights
Fifth graders participate in a problem-solving and decision-making process involving the First Amendment rights to analyze and implement a solution for a school-related issue. They are given a variety of scenarios to apply the First...
Curated OER
Harry Potter Debate
Students read a short article about the upcoming release of the new Harry Potter novel. They debate the issues surrounding the marketing of students's books and films after internet research to support or oppose the topic.
Curated OER
Do the Write Thing
Students take stands on issues that matter to them. In this philanthropy lesson, students read Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, discuss the act of advocating for others, and write letters of support for issues they belive in to...
Curated OER
Changing Perspectives on the Japanese Internment Experience
High schoolers explore the issue of Japanese-American internment. In this World War II lesson, students analyze historical biases regarding Japanese-American internment as they analyze literature, research print and Internet sources, and...
Curated OER
The Row Behind Death Row
Students investigate several controversial issues in the criminal justice system relating to death row and give oral reports explaining how their issues safeguard or contaminate the issue of fairness in capital punishment. They offer...
Curated OER
A World Torn by Drugs
Students explore different drug issues that have affected international relations.
Curated OER
Mother's Nature
Students discuss the term "women's issues". Students read "Pulling Strings: Invoking the Moral Authority of Moms." Students explore and evaluate women's movements throughout American history. Students synthesize discoveries by...
Curated OER
Human Migration
Students explore human migration, refugees and human rights. They read articles about immigration, create a migration journal, and participate in a mock human rights commission meeting. After collecting information about immigration,...
Curated OER
Dude, I'm Interviewing the President
Student define issues and questions they would discuss with a president. Learners read "Bill and Leo's Excellent Encounter". Students choose famous personalities, research their celebrity, and create a mock interview with them.