Curated OER
Animal Language Play
Review animal behavior and forms of language. Types of communication are listed along with their messages. The majority of slides consist of humorous internet images (i.e. "I Can Has Cheezburger" cats).
National Constitution Center
Address America: Your Six-Word Stump Speech
Stump speeches are the focus of this exercise that combines politics and language arts. After learning about this type of speech, the class listens to Obama's 2008 presidential campaign stump speech and answers a series of questions that...
Curated OER
Can You Help A Friend?
Young scholars take on the role of a ten year old girl, "Jessica." Jessica's friend has moved away from the area and is texting people she doesn't know in chat rooms. Students work in groups to write a message for Jessica to send to her...
Curated OER
Images of America--Analyzing Music Videos
Students compare the message of a songs lyrics to the images chosen to include in a video of that song, and search for deeper meaning in the choices.
Curated OER
The Emancipation Proclamation: Unfulfilled Promises
Young scholars perform research into the Emancipation Proclaimation. The document will aid learners in understanding the history and culture of the time of writing. Finally critical thinking skills are used to formulate contextual meaning.
Curated OER
Fine Tuning a Nation: Using Cartoons
Students examine political cartoons to gain an understanding of the political issues that George Washington faced. In this historical perspectives instructional activity, students analyze political cartoons about the National Bank, the...
Curated OER
Voices from the Holocaust: A Message of Hope
Students develop a sense of historical empathy as they discuss The Holocaust and roll play activities designed to highlight prejudice in today's society. In this Holocaust history and The Diary of Anne Frank lesson, students...
Curated OER
Murals With a Message
Learners recognize historical and cultural influences in art and appreciate art as a vehicle for public expression of ideas. They develop group skills, working together to produce a single mural or several related murals.
Curated OER
Hidden Messages: The Growth of Product Placement
Students identify product placements they see in TV programs and movies. They build awareness of the pervasiveness of advertising in their culture. They develop critical skills necessary to think independently in a media saturated...
Curated OER
Black Music: Its Message and Meaning
Students develop an appreciation for modern black music from a historical, political and lyrical perspective. They examine the political and the historical surge of the civil rights movement of the 1960's and how this surge directly or...
Curated OER
Media Literacy: Discovering and Understanding Propaganda
Ninth graders study different types of propaganda and select an issue that is significant to them. For this exploratory lesson students design and create posters on the topic of their choice and write a narrative describing it.
Curated OER
Understanding Human Rights Through Music And Poetry
Tenth graders discuss human rights. They brainstorm and listen to and read examples of music and poetry that deal with human rights and oppression. They choose one poem or song to analyze, looking for theme, oppression, and historical...
Curated OER
A Message of Ancient Days
Students closely examine several of Hammurabi's laws and compare them to laws and/or values we use today. They consider how laws are made and enforced and complete several worksheets during their investigations.
Curated OER
Buddy Systems
Students explore how companies use instant messaging to sell products and services. They write business plans for marketing companies using instant messaging as a medium for advertising and assess related privacy issues.
Curated OER
Songs That Bring Us Together
Young scholars listen to the song, Get Together, and discuss the theme. They list topics that bring people together, write the lyrics to and sing a class song, and write a paragraph about message songs.
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
B. Franklin, Printer and the Public Eye
Students explore U.S. history by researching famous Americans. In this Benjamin Franklin lesson plan, students read portions of a biography about Franklin and identify his position within U.S. politics and as a leader in the battle for...
Curated OER
Hieroglyphs and Communication
Students compare modern day text messaging with the use of hieroglyphs as forms of communication. They translate hieroglyphic messages written by classmates and check for accuracy.
Curated OER
Busting the Tobacco Ads.
Fifth graders recognize that tobacco companies target young people with their advertisements. In this tobacco lesson, 5th graders understand why tobacco companies target youth. Students define the word adbuster and create adbusters to...
Curated OER
The Political Dr. Seuss
Students discuss the role political cartoons have played in U.S. politics and public affairs since the 1700's. They analyze some of the political cartoons Dr. Seuss drew during World War II and discuss how these cartoons conveyed his...
Curated OER
Introduction to Sexism
Students develop an understanding of sexism, its effects, and the ways in which messages in society (in media, texts, schools, families, et cetera) reinforce stereotypical beliefs.
Curated OER
Teeshirt Printing
Students become responsible and involved citizens. In this t-shirt printing activity students design and create a teeshirt with a message about citizenship and responsibility. Natural objects are used as stamps.
Curated OER
Gandhi Lessons and His Legacy of Peace
Gandhi's message of nonviolence and the practice of civil disobedience influenced people around the world.
Curated OER
Multiple Intelligences and The Illinois & Michigan Canal
Third graders engage in a wide variety of cross-curricular activities designed to give them a thorough understanding of the history of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. There are a very nice set of activities included in this plan!
Curated OER
Exploring Heroism
Students examine the concept of heroism in this lesson, through personal reflection, group activities and a thoughtful analysis of the documentary, HEROES OF GROUND ZERO. They explore their own understanding of what it means to be a hero.