Missouri Department of Elementary
Risk Taking Behaviors
Sophomores can be sometimes wise and sometimes foolish. The same can be said for their behaviors. After watching a presentation about risk taking behaviors, class members discuss the presentation in small groups, and then complete a...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Character Clovers
Build a classroom community with a instructional activity that uses character clovers to examine scholars' roles. Following a whole-class discussion, participants list four roles they play and accompany it with the character traits that...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Caution: Thin Ice!
Sixth graders listen to a story titled "Thin Ice!" then partake in a whole-class discussion asking and answering questions about what was read. Scholars brainstorm risky behaviors in preparation for a game of RISKO—a game similar to...
K20 LEARN
It Wasn't Me: "The Crucible"
Scholars complete their study of the collective fear in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible" by conducting a mock trial to determine how many witches are in the class. Groups then analyze sections of the play for the literary devices used and...
Missouri Department of Elementary
Goldilocks Revisited
After a read-aloud of the story Goldielocks and the Three Bears, scholars gather into small groups to answer a series of questions. Peers examine the idea of smart decisions and identify three feelings of characters alongside three...
Curated OER
MTV and Othello
After reading Acts III and IV of Othello, give your class a fun, interactive, music-related activity. Begin by asking students about songs they have heard in movies or plays. Let them look up the lyrics online and ruminate about the...
Curated OER
Song Dynasty Traditional Landscape Paintings
Students study new ideas and art concepts, while reinforcing others, through a Chinese cultural tradition. They determine how cultural differences differences affect painting processes.
Curated OER
International Holidays
Second graders explore the holidays of different cultures. In this culture lesson, 2nd graders knowledge about various holidays. Students play a matching game with the name of the holiday and the description. Students research one of the...
Curated OER
A Visit to Mexico City: An Introduction to World Communities
Third graders complete a variety of activities as they take an imaginary trip to Mexico City, complete with passports, maps, and Spanish dictionaries. They write postcards to send home and create items to sell at the market. The unit...
Curated OER
Rites of Passage
Learners explore coming of age ceremonies. In this rites of passage lesson, students research spiritual, religious, and secular child and adolescent rites of passage rituals. Learners design personal rites of passage.
Curated OER
Freedman's Journal: "We Wish to Plead Our Own Cause"
Students examine selected passages from The Freedman's Journal. In this African American history lesson plan, students read and discuss excerpts from The Freedman's Journal. Students investigate how the African American newspaper served...
Curated OER
Country Cookbook
Students, in groups, create menus for five traditional meals from a country of their choice. They create a cookbook that includes all the recipes and describes when the traditional dish would be served.
Curated OER
Seven Daughters and Seven Sons: the Middle East Through
Sixth graders read "Seven Daughters and Seven Sons" and examine aspects of Middle East culture and geography. They define vocabulary from the book and map locations described in the book.
Curated OER
Music of the People - Native American Music
Third graders complete a unit of lessons on the singing, instruments, and dancing of Native Americans. They identify and play various instruments, complete worksheets, define key vocabulary, sing songs, and perform dances.
Curated OER
Traditions and Transformations
Ninth graders examine the Jewish culture from a variety of perspectives. In this ethics lesson, 9th graders interview guest speakers on the subject of Jewish culture. Students create group poems and murals around themes of...
Curated OER
National Symbols of Japan: The National Flag and Anthem
Students explore the traditions and cultures of Japan. Classmates identify national symbols in the United States and Japan. They listen to the lyrics of Japan's National Anthem.
Curated OER
Customs
Students explore Chinese New Year. In this Chinese culture lesson, students read associated literature and use worksheets to explore aspects of the Chinese New Year. Students complete this lesson by making and hanging paper lanterns,...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Aztec Calendars and Culture
Sixth graders analyze the Aztec calendar and create their own examples of them. They determine the meaning of the symbols used in the calendars and record their ideas in journals. Students host a parent breakfast for them to observe...
Curated OER
Family Tradition And History
Second graders investigate personal family traditions with objects brought to class that represent personal history. The objects are shared with the class during sharing time. The goal of the lesson is that students would recognize there...
Curated OER
Alaska's Cultures: Regions & Native Peoples of Alaska
Students read the essay "Did American Aborigines have Culture?". They discuss culture and what is meant by culture.
Curated OER
Journey to Japan: An Elementary Geography Standards-Based Unit on Japan
Second graders compare and contrast Japanese customs and culture to those of Americans through research in this year long study. They determine the basic needs of all people in spite of cultural differences.
Curated OER
Traditional Gardening in Alaska
Learners research local history of agriculture using books, internet and local Elders. They conduct an interest survey for a community garden, using information gathered through interviews with Elders. A graphic organizer may be used to...
Curated OER
Medieval Travelers
Tenth graders explore the impact of trade on culture. In this trade lesson, 10th graders compare the travels of Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta. Students research the explorers and create materials for a gallery walk that feature the impact...
Curated OER
Between the Rivers
Second graders compare and contrast historical American cultures. In this American history lesson, 2nd graders participate in reading, writing, oral, and hands on activities. Students discuss the similarities and differences...