Spectrum
Grade 5 Standardized Test Prep
Here you'll find a great sampling of practice standardized test questions organized into four sections: ELA, mathematics, social studies, and science. Help your learners become familiar with the types of multiple-choice questions...
Curated OER
Defending the Homeland--The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1789
Students explore that there have been times during the history of the US when ,in response to real and perceived threats, both domestic and foreign, our country has responded by passing legislation. Students trace the fundamental rights...
Curated OER
Man's Search For Meaning: Writing Assessment (Final Multi-Genre Project)
Conclude a study of Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning with a research project that asks readers to investigate what various religions and philosophies believe is the meaning of life. The resource packet includes a list of...
iCivics
Limiting Government
While this lesson includes several nice worksheets to identify and discuss the various limits on government (i.e. a constitution, the rule of law, separation of powers, consent of the governed, etc.), its main value lies in a case study...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Puritan Massachusetts: Theocracy or Democracy?
Was Puritan society governed as more of a theocracy or democracy? After comparing and contrasting a series of primary source documents, middle and high schoolers form small groups and debate the question.
Curated OER
Giving From the Heart: Art From the Heart
Pupils examine how art contributes to the common good. In this common good lesson, students participate in an interactive read aloud of Jeff Brumbeau, Quiltmaker's Gift. They act out the story and talk about how "Art from the Heart" can...
Curated OER
Creating a Personal Philanthropy Timeline
Learners create a timeline. In this philanthropy instructional activity, students use sequential terminology and create a chronological list of philanthropic acts they have performed.
Curated OER
Who Works for the Common Good in Our Community?
Students identify community organizations that help those in need. In this service learning lesson plan, students listen to members of local service organizations present information. Students write journal entries based on the...
Curated OER
Giving Thanks to Mother Earth
Students create an art project to be made into a laminated placemat to use during a classroom Thanksgiving feast. The lesson involves choosing at least three cutouts of elements of nature to glue onto a background page, drawing one...
Gobal Oneness Project
Passionate Pursuits
Not all technology is digital. Teach learners about the low-tech maker movement with a photo essay about six artisans from California and two articles about the local creator movement. After tackling the photo essay in small groups,...
Curated OER
Name Game
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students find an act of philanthropy in a book and then illustrate 4 examples people doing good for others.
Curated OER
What Is a Foundation?
Students explore the concept of grants. For this philanthropy lesson, students meet a grant-writer and then collaborate to prepare a grant request.
Curated OER
Presidential Speeches
Listen to and analyze a presidential speech in order to explain the principles held by the president and the historical context in which the speech was made. Then hold a campaign and election simulation involving featured presidents.
Curated OER
Clever Conversations Game
Build social and conversation skills with a fun game! Special needs and children with autism can play this game to practice asking friendly questions and giving appropriate responses. After playing, have them ask one person a friendly...
Curated OER
Family Fresco
Students research information about frescos painted by famous artists such as Michelangelo and da Vinci, identify suitable subject and durable surface for their artwork, and recreate textured painting in fresco style that is suitable for...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Campaign Fundraising
Although this political cartoon analysis assignment has your scholars glancing back at the 2008 presidential campaign, its message is relatable anytime. Background information provides context, giving learners access to the cartoon,...
What So Proudly We Hail
The Meaning of America: Freedom and Religion
The United States of America was founded on firm ideals of both the pursuit of happiness and a spirit of reverence. Through a close reading of Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The May-Pole of Merry Mount," you can examine what some consider was a...
Curated OER
What a Gift!
What is considered a valuable gift? As the class will come to find out, what is considered a gift varies by time and location. After viewing images of a Mayan pot that depicts men giving cacao to the gods, learners research three...
Certificate Street
Community Service Award
Give back to your learners for giving back to their community. At an awards ceremony or on any day of the week, you can hand out certificates for community service. This document is editable, so feel free to personalize the award with a...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Investigating the Declaration of Independence
Teach your class about the Declaration of Independence while giving them practice working as a team. The resource breaks participants into groups and has them answer questions about specific grievances from the Declaration of...
Curated OER
Put Your Hands in Mine: King Day
Students examine the concepts of human and civil rights. In this philanthropy lesson, students watch The Mighty Times: The Children March. Students discuss concepts relating to civil rights and change.
Curated OER
Got a Problem? Let's Solve It! Lesson 1:
Middle schoolers investigate how problem solving skills contribute to philanthropy. In this animal welfare lesson, students use problem solving skills to make suggestions about how to solve an issue regarding the humane treatment of an...
Curated OER
Doing the Right Thing
Students consider the payoffs of doing the right thing. In this philanthropy instructional activity, students examine the virtue of courage in Jackie Robinson's life and in their own.
Curated OER
Creating Historians Part Two: The Grab Bag
You don't need to be a museum curator to bring artifacts into the classroom; part two of a series on approaching social studies as a group of historians.