Curated OER
The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks
High schoolers are introduced to the time of the samurai warriors using the guided reading of "The Tale of the Mandarin Ducks". The teacher reads the story to the students and they make connections from the text about the history of the...
Curated OER
Pueblo Pottery
Students are introduced to the characteristics of pueblo pottery and create their own piece of pueblo inspired pottery. After a brief lecture into the history and methods creating pueblo pottery, students use provided materials to create...
Curated OER
Christopher Columbus WebQuest
Fourth graders are introduced to the voyages of Christopher Columbus to the New World. In groups, they use the Internet to complete a WebQuest on what conditions were like on the ships. They write journal entries and complete a worksheet...
Curated OER
VS.7a
Seventh graders explore, analyze and identify the events and differences between northern and southern states that divided Virginians and led to secession, war and the creation on West Virginia. They discuss the conflicts that developed...
Curated OER
George Washington: Our First President
Young scholars explore the life of George Washington. In this George Washington instructional activity, students consider the leadership qualities of the first president as they listen to a description of his life and the create...
Curated OER
Deserts Around the World
Second graders explore the deserts around the world. They use a map and locate America on the map. Students discuss and identify the characteristics of deserts and differentiate the meanings of the word desert and dessert. Students...
Curated OER
Religious Expression in Public Schools
Students explore religious expression in the United States. In this religious freedom lesson, students read a handout regarding Religious Freedom Day and other handouts regarding religious expression in public schools. Students complete...
Curated OER
Island Breezes: Exploring Hula Dance
Pupils explore Hawaii and the art of hula dance. In this art lesson, students research the art of hula dance and Hawaii. Pupils create their own unique hula dance.
Curated OER
Discovering Angel Island: The Story Behind the Poems
Learners watch a video titled Discovering Angel Island: The Story Behind the Poems about immigrants that came through Angel Island. In this Angel Island lesson plan, students respond with a journal entry.
Curated OER
The Magic School bus Inside A Hurricane
Students investigate the concept of a hurricane by using the cartoon series "The Magic Schoolbus" to simulate the fantasy of traveling through a hurricane. The lesson uses a KWL graphic organizer in order to guide student inquiry and as...
Curated OER
Podcasting and the News
Students participate in a class discussion about pod casting. They access a podcast and practice using such features as pause, rewind, and fast-forward. They listen to a news podcast and complete a graphic organizer about what they have...
Curated OER
Lesson 28: Introduction to Illinois Government
Fourth graders research and compare the United States and Illinois Governments. They play the game Who Wans To Be A Millionaire.
Curated OER
Civil Rights: Rosa Parks Centers
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...
Curated OER
Discouraging Prejudice in the Classroom
Students investigate at least two types of prejudice in the classroom and create a KWL chart. Students identify prejudice that they have witnessed and write a paragraph explaining how the situation could solve differently.
Curated OER
Y. M. C. A. (Youth Majoring in Cultural Awareness)
Students explore cultures and how they differ according to area. After creating a KWL chart on cultural differences, students observe a video about various cultures. In groups, they record information about specific ethnic groups. ...
Curated OER
Journal of Children of the World
Students explore the lives of other children. In this comparing and contrasting lesson, students complete a KWL chart on children around the world and use the Internet to compare and contrast these children using different categories....
Curated OER
Are U.S. Presidents Leaders or Figureheads?
Fifth graders, using a graphic organizer, analyze three presidents.
Curated OER
My Country, Your Country
Fifth graders read a story about a girl living in Tokyo. Using the Internet, they research Japan while noting its unique characteristics. They virtually connect with a classroom in Japan and share information about their school with them.
Curated OER
People/Culture
Seventh graders explain both past and present examples of how people use of natural resources. They use the MVAC website to garther information about the prehistoric cultures in Wisconsin.
Curated OER
Black History in Music
Learners relate musical styles with US historical context through research and presentation.
Curated OER
Sudan Surprise
Students consider animal migration patterns that have been recently documented in Sudan. They investigate the migratory patterns of animals and discuss how human conflicts and activities affect migratory wildlife populations.
Curated OER
Underground Railroad
Pupils research the underground railroad and create a journal as if you were either a slave running away or the "railroad operator". They then draw a map detailing the escape routes and stops of African-American slaves on the underground...
Curated OER
Jewish Culture
Students explore the Jewish culture by listening to a guest speaker who discuss holidays, religion, and key events. They recognize and write various vocabulary words to describe one Jewish Holiday in their journals.
Curated OER
Lands That I Love
Students create a graph showing their family roots. They read about how immigrants can develop strong feelings for two countries. They discover the importance of their earliest memories.