Scholastic
The Right to Vote
Who used to have the right to vote in the United States? Who has the right to vote now? Amendments to the US Constitution that have changed the definition of eligible voters are the focus of a one-page activity that asks class members to...
Teaching Ideas
Victorian Fashion Detectives
The distinctive attire of royalty, working class, and peasants of the Victorian era conveys much about the conditions of the time. Learn more about why people dressed as they did, and how their fashion changed during the 64-year reign of...
Curated OER
He Had a Dream...I Have One Too!
What is your dream for a better world? After reading a short article about Dr Martin Luther King, kids identify something they would like to see changed, the steps that could be followed to make the dream a reality, and the effects these...
Scholastic
Perfect Postcards: California
It's time to hear about some adventures in travel! The Transcontinental Railroad changed life and travel in the United States during the 1800s. Practicing online research skills, pupils discover the features they would like to visit on...
Just Health Action
Environmental Justice Matters: Mapping Environmental Justice Impacts (Part 1)
A case study of Seattle, Washington permits class members to compare and rank how different areas of Seattle are impacted by environment burdens. Groups investigate different zip codes, collect data on five categories, and color-code a...
Holly Middle School
Leadership 101
A four-week leadership class is designed to help scholars develop the skills they need to become effective leaders. Pupils study the habits of highly effective people and apply these concepts to leadership. They investigate paradigm...
National Woman's History Museum
The Power of Words and Activism: Susan B. Anthony
Where have all the activists gone? Class members compare 21st-century activism with the suffrage movement and the work of Susan B. Anthony. They begin by examining Anthony's biography and speeches to find evidence that her words and...
Facing History and Ourselves
Speaking Up and Speaking Out
The final lesson in the Standing Up for Democracy unit offers class members a way they can stand up and speak out by crafting spoken word poetry, or Slam poetry. After analyzing several examples, individuals reflect on one positive...
Teaching Tolerance
Introducing 'The New Jim Crow'
When Jim Crow Laws ended, the intent behind them did not. Academics read "The New Jim Crow Laws" and an interview from the author to understand how racism has not ended, but rather changed over time. The activity explains how prejudices...
Atlanta History Center
Civil Disobedience and the Atlanta Student Movement
What tactics are used in civil disobedience? Learners study the conditions in Alabama that led to the establishment of the Atlanta Student Movement, as well as consider the nature and effectiveness of civil disobedience.
University of the Desert
A Plan For Positive Action
Can one person really make a difference? As the culminating lesson in a twelve-part series, learners discuss how they can partake in an intercultural dialogue that can have a lasting impact on the global community, and how single...
Curated OER
African Migration: Case Study Questions
Focus your attention on Bantu Migration. Answer 5 different questions to better understand why particular populations choose to migrate to new places. Referenced is the use of lesson notes, students will need background knowledge to...
Curated OER
Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-The Wheels on the Bus
Students read The Wheels on the Bus by Maryann Kovalski. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the study of travel and transportation. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies, and...
Curated OER
Children's Literature Across the Curriculum Ideas-The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey
Students read The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojacieckowski. They complete a variety of cross-curricular activities surrounding the Christmas holiday. Included are reading, art, math, science, writing, social studies,...
Curated OER
The Social Security Act
Students examine the Social Security Act of 1935. In this U.S. history lesson plan, students research primary sources in order to prepare for a mock debate of the act prior to it becoming legislation.
Curated OER
Social Studies, Music, The Blues, Urbanization, and Technology
Enable students to use the blues to explore urbanization, technology, and their effects on everyday life in the 20th century. Musicians were among the large number of people who, between 1914 and 1945, participated in the Great Migration...
Curated OER
Teaching Human Sexuality in the Social Studies Classroom
Ninth graders examine the social problem of teenage mothers. In groups, they examine the consequences of a teenage pregnancy and how it can be considered a breakdown in family structure. They discuss the physical changes during...
Curated OER
Disease and Epidemics - Social Studies
Students explore how the study of diseases, epidemics and disease management promotes our understanding of human culture and history. They also examine the roles of agriculture, trade and living in cities in promoting the spread of...
Curated OER
Houghton Mifflin Social Studies/Chapter 8, Lesson 1: Farming Takes Hold (pp. 184-187)
Fourth graders discuss that the movement toward farming during the 1850's to the 1870's meant for California. The economy of California is studied in relationship to the effects of farming. There are several focus questions to help...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Civil Rights Continues Today
Students consider segregation issues in the United States today. In this American Civil Rights Movement lesson, students determine how much has changed in the United States since the beginning of the movement. Students research racial...
Curated OER
World War II Laws
Students explore how laws passed during World War II have helped people with disabilities. For this social studies lesson, students research laws passed since World War II and complete a WWII Law chart.
Curated OER
Advertisements
Pupils explore educational offerings for people with disabilities. In this social studies lesson, students research early schools for people with disabilities and discuss the advertisements that were used at the time. Pupils create an...
Curated OER
My World
Students study maps. For this social studies lesson, students draw a map of either their room at home or the route they take to school. Students label items on their maps.
Curated OER
Christopher's Crossing
In this lesson and game, the teacher supplies the initial instruction about Christopher Columbus. Then, through role-play and readings from their social studies book, students will learn about Columbus, discover his interest in a short,...