Lesson Plan
Curated OER

New American Diplomacy

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore the presidential era of Teddy Roosevelt. They read about American diplomacy in Asia, the Caribbean, and discuss the Panama Canal and the Roosevelt Corollary. As a class, students take notes and create a bubble map for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rollin' Down the River

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Pupils examine the contributions of Lewis and Clark. In this Louisiana Purchase activity, students research Internet and print sources regarding the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sail, Sail, Sail Your Ship!

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students listen to the book, Columbus Day, by Paul Showers and discuss the historical significance of Christopher Columbus. They create Columbus Day booklets, sing a Christopher Columbus song, and develop graphic organizers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Major American Water Routes

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders locate and identify the major bodies of water and waterways in the United States. Through a simulation activity, they describe how early explorers would have described their surroundings. Working in groups, they create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native People of the Caribbean

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders use a map and locate and define the Caribbean region and then work in groups to read the passage and timeline. The groups' reader will read the passage aloud and the recorder makes a list of why colonists used slave...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Finlay and Yellow Fever

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders research the work of Carlos J. Finlay and his contributions to science. Once they have discussed his theories about diseases, they create tables comparing diseases that use insects as carriers. The lesson also includes a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Explorer Time-Line

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study exploration of the New World. In this Exploration Age lesson plan, 4th graders research early explorers and create time lines that include picture, captions, and the routes of the explorers studied.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Identity

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students analyze identify in art. In this art analysis instructional activity, students discuss what identify means and discuss how Otto Dix, Pablo Picasso, Dorothea Lange, and Alberto Giacometti represent identities in portraiture....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extinction Is Forever

For Teachers K - 8th
Students observe models of two kinds of forests with low and high biodiversity. They observe and record the effects of habitat destruction or extinction rates. They also conduct research about mass extinction like that of the ancient...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Heroes With Heart

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study women and minority figures who have contribute to the common good of civil society. In this women and minority figure lesson, students listen to a recording of "Hero" by Mariah Carey. They work in small groups to research...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

California Mission Slide Show

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders research the details of a California Mission. They design a slide show to present their research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Build a Bargueno

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students create a decorative drawer front concealing student treasures. This be accomplished by exploring the functions of a bargueno (writing desk). The discover how cultural influences impact the artist's motif.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visitamos El Prado

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the art from the Prado Museum. Using a CD-ROM, they identify pieces from Italy, Spain and other European countries. They decide on an artist or painting to research. They complete a worksheet and share their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Irish Potato Famine and Immigration

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study how the potato famine affected the Irish population. They speculate on how the Irish were viewed by the English and the new Americans. They examine why the Irish immigrated to the new colonies. and evaluate how new...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coming to California

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders read excerpts from Juan Bautista de Anza's diaries. They analyze the impact of primary sources. They write journal entries for characters in stories they have read during the year.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Want to be an American Citizen

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create a web page after researching what prospective US citizens need to study to for citizenship. They practice using a web page editor program.
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Get Ready, Get Set, We're Moving!

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Young scholars use the internet and other sources to research the culture and history of the Philippines. In groups, they discover why William Taft moved to the Philippines. Students participate in a scenario where they make preparations...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Tacoma Narrows Bridge

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Students, in groups, create a profile of different Pacific Northwest explorers. They develop PowerPoint presentations and maps to showcase their findings.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

International Festival - Masks

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Students study the influence masks had on Hispanic society. After investigating uses of masks in various cultures, they create masks that relate to their own experiences. In groups they create an Hispanic mask and a mask representing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cultural Corner- "Mexico"

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students use print and electronic resources to gather information about Mexico. They present a mini-museum to share with students, parents, and other interested classes around the district. They present their information in a video...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. Possessions

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders research the United States acquisition of the Philippines and their fight for independence. They locate the Philippines on a map and brainstorm how its geography has benefits. They access the Internet and complete a student...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Products of the Rain Forest

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore products of the rain forest. They consider items from their home that may have been products of the rain forest by checking ingredients on product labels. They share their discoveries in class and create a...
Unit Plan
Study Languages

Study Spanish: Ir a + Infinitive

For Students 9th - 10th
Good introductory lesson to the use of "ir a" to indicate future events. A list of adverbs that denote future time periods may also prove useful. "Poder", "acabar de", and "volver a" are introduced as other double verb constructions. A...
Article
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Guaman Poma and the First New Chronicle and Good Government

For Students 9th - 10th
This letter written by Guaman Poma is the most famous manuscript from South America dated to this time period in part because it is so comprehensive and long, but also because of its many illustrations. View pictures of the illustrations...