Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
The First Communities
These documents list essential questions and foundational concepts associated with early civilizations and farming communities in the agricultural revolution. Use this as a starting point for developing specific lessons and activities...
Curated OER
Bill Robinson: Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles was born just after slavery was abolished and became one of the most beloved entertainers of his time. Explore key vocabulary, the life of an African-American entertainer, and the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on...
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D. A. M. Agriculture Lesson Plan
Students explore agricultural concepts and how humans modify the physical environment. They participate in card sorting activities to determine agricultural concepts: Dependence, Adaptation, Modification (D. A. M.). Students identify...
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Desert Views: First Impressions
Students are introduced to primary source material and the ways in which early travelers viewed aspects of the desert environment. The lesson addresses the geography themes of location, region, and human/environment interaction.
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Legacy of Colonialism
Students explore the extent of colonialism from the early periods in the 1500's to the later years in the mid 1900's. They explain how colonization differed in regions around the world and examine the lasting effects on the colonized...
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The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle: KWHL
After completing the 11th chapter of The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi, take part in a KWHL chart driven by the question,When is it appropriate and admirable to defy authority? Focusing on codes of conduct, scholars...
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Putting It All Together: Early American History 1776-1812
Students view the reverse side of state quarters of those states that entered the union before 1812 and make predictions about what the symbols mean to each state. They complete a worksheet during a lecture describing the symbols and use...
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social studies: Life in Colonial America
Students explore the trials and tribulations early colonial life and note its successes. Through literature, Internet research, and interactive software, they engage in various activities to evaluate early social and cultural development.
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Early Humankind and the Development of Human Societies
Students examine archaeological studies to gather information on the physcial and cultural development of humankind. Using that information, they describe hunter-gatherer societies and how they developed tools and fire. Using maps,...
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Early Navigational Tools And Nautical Developments of the Early European Explorers of Africa And America.
Students identify navigational tools. They describe and label seven of the nautical advances that enabled European explorers to travel to Africa and America thereby initiating a new era of exploration.
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Human Conditioned Responses
Learners participate in a demonstration designed to illustrate how easily and quickly a person can be conditioned to respond to external stimuli. Students look at numerous ways in which conditioned behavior affects their day to day...
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Cave Clues
Young scholars research cave environments and their uses and animals and humans. They connect the traits of cave-dwelling creatures to their cave environments. They then study early cave art and recreate crayon-resist cave scenes.
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At Home on the Range
Students discuss the American bison. In this social studies instructional activity, students discuss the history of the American bison and graph the decline of the bison population.
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Mexican Culture “La Raspa”
Here are three lessons that work together to engage learners in a cultural and musical exploration. In lesson one the listen to the Mexican folk song, "La Raspa" and discuss cultural context. In lesson two they dance along to both "La...
Curated OER
Transportation in Indiana
Fourth graders investigate Indiana transportation. In this transportation instructional activity students discover early forms of transportation such as railroads, rivers, boats, and roads. Students compare and contrast the different...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Differences Among Colonial Regions
Classes look at and analyze primary source images to explore the differences between the colonial regions during the Revolutionary era. They break into groups to tackle each region and then present their findings to the class. A final...
Curated OER
Landscape Confection: Pre-visit Activity
Upper graders explore the concepts of landscape art, man, nature and their inter-relationship. This is a critical thinking and analysis activity intended to prepare the class for an up coming trip to a local art museum. They analyze,...
Curated OER
Keep Your Eye On the Prize
High schoolers learn about citizens who were actively involved in the civil rights movement, and the strategies they used to overcome the Jim Crow laws that were so prevalent in the 1960s. They investigate the voting amendments of the US...
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Good Apples
Students choose an apple from a larger group of apples and examine it closely. They return their apples to the group and then attempt to identify their own. They discuss how this activity applies to human similarities and differences.
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Human Development
Students brainstorm about the physical, emotional, and social developmental milestones of human beings. They complete a timeline as a class that begins with birth and ends with death. Students identify whether each milestone is...
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The Age of Exploration
Young scholars apply computer skills to gain further insight into early exploration. They analyze the role of each explorer and evaluate their importance. Students comprehend the Chronology of Discovery and Trade of early explorers. ...
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A New Twist on Race Relations
Learners analyze the impact of American Bandstand on race relations. In this race relations instructional activity, students use the music and dance show American Bandstand to learn about race relations. Learners categorize pivotal...
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Legal Rights, the Charter, and Canada's Constitution
Students explore the issue of human rights in Canada and compare and contrast the Bill of Rights and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. They debate whether Canadians are giving up certain democratic rights in exchange for the greater good.
Curated OER
"Yarning" About Latitude and Longitude
Students identify various locations using latitude and longitude. In this map skills lesson, students use yarn and labels to create a "human globe." Students identify the Prime Meridian, the Equator, and Northern and Southern Hemisphere.