Curated OER
Northwest Coast Indians: Winter Celebrations Potlatch
Upper elementary learners engage in a study about the Potlatch as a Northwest Coast Indians social custom. Groups of pupils plan their own Potlatch ceremony; incorporating activities and creating gifts much like the ones that the Indians...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Analyzing the Rhetoric of JFK’s Inaugural Address
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your. country.” Did you know that John Kenneth Galbraith, Adlai Stevenson, and Theodore Sorensen helped John F. Kennedy craft his 1961...
Field Museum
The Case of Darwin's Finches
One of the most striking pieces of evidence for Darwin's Evolution of Species was his observations of finches and how their beaks differed from island to island, depending on their primary food sources. So what would happen to the theory...
Maryland Department of Education
A Raisin in the Sun and Dreams Deferred
To conclude a study of A Raisin in the Sun and to prepare for a visit to the Lewis Museum, class members analyze Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem." Learners then draw connections to characters in the play and to their own experiences...
Museum of Tolerance
My Experience with Injustice
As part of their preparation for a visit to the Museum of Tolerance, individuals are asked to write about a time when they witnessed or experienced unjust, biased, or prejudicial treatment. A great way for writers to make a personal...
National Museum of the American Indian
To Honor & Comfort Native Quilting Traditions
"Native American history leaps boldly off the colorful quilts and patchwork designs." Learners discuss Native American identity and symbolism by reading about a variety of Native quilters and their unique art process, and participate in...
Museum of Tolerance
Cultural Research Activity
Class members explore cultural diversity through a variety of texts that showcase the importance of traditions. Then, they interview their family members to research their own cultural background and write their findings on quilt...
Curated OER
Historic Cemeteries: "History Written in Stone"
Students explore the history of their community through researching grave markers. They visit a local cemetary, partcipate in a cemetary scavenger hunt, conduct a survey for various graves, and write an essay describing their cemetary...
Berkshire Museum
Adopt a Schoolyard Tree
Help young scientists connect with nature and learn about trees with a fun life science lesson. Heading out into the school yard, children choose a tree to adopt, taking measurements, writing descriptions, and drawing sketches of it in...
Curated OER
Featured Artist
Students investigate the art exhibit known as a biennial. This is an exhibit that occurs every two years. They observe works of the artist before visiting the exhibit in order to create a context for new knowledge that will be covered on...
Curated OER
Following the Wright Path
Students explore the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright through literature and analyze photographs. In this photography analysis instructional activity, students read aloud Frank Lloyd Wright and answer questions for the text. Students...
Curated OER
My Getty Vacation Travel Log-A Set of 6 Activities
Students take an imaginary vacation at the J. Paul Getty Museum. They participate in six activities while writing, observing and sketching works of art.
Curated OER
Analyzing Visual Symbols
Young scholars analyze and identify visual symbols in everyday life and during a museum visit. In this visual symbol lesson, students study associated vocabulary such as analyze and interpret. They find and note attention getting symbols...
Curated OER
Our Town
Learners discover what makes a community run smoothly by reading signs and visiting various places in their community. In this social studies lesson, small groups of students take photographs of community signs and places and then ask...
Curated OER
Not Just Books
Students consider uses of a library and explore the collections at the Morgan Library and Museum in New York City, and create proposals for exhibits of various artifacts.
Curated OER
Composition Compositions
Pupils explore composition and symmetry to create their own digital media piece. For this design composition lesson, students visit the online websites and examples of asymmetrical compositions and symmetry. Pupils sketch a composition...
Curated OER
Ottawa
In this language arts worksheet, students listen to a podcast about Ottawa, Canada. They label 7 statements as true or false. Students write answers to 8 comprehension questions. They complete a cloze activity.
Curated OER
Referencing the Classical Past
Students discuss the sculptural group of Three Goddessesby Joseph Nollekens in a study of the classical past. In this Classical history lesson, students describe the three figures in the painting and read an excerpt for the story the art...
Curated OER
Martin Puryear's Ladder for Booker T. Washington
Students examine the art of Martin Puryear. In this visual arts lesson, students analyze the sculpture "Ladder for Booker T. Washington". Students consider how the sculpture reflects the life and contributions of Booker T. Washington....
Curated OER
Writing Like an Artist Paints Using "Chasing Vermeer"
Pupils use artistic words when writing about an object moving quickly past a character who is standing still. In this writing and art lesson plan, students read the passage Chasing Vermeer and base their writing off of it.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Countries and Technology
Students participate in a travel simulation and have just arrived in Canada. After choosing activities to research, they define their methods of exploration and development on plan sheets. Among the scenarios from which they choose...
Curated OER
The Business of Design
Students visit the Design for the Other 90% exhibition. In this design lesson plan, student learn how to design for the population of the world that is poor or impoverished. In addition, students read New York Times articles and watch...
Curated OER
Egyptian Tomb Art: Expressions of Religious Beliefs
Ninth graders are introduced to the Prown's technique of describing various objects. As a class, they view pictures of the pyramids in Egypt and discuss how the size and shape of them show their belief in eternal life and religion. ...
Curated OER
Using History to Teach Tolerance: A Ripple of Hope
Learners investigate the prejudice and racism that has existed in the U.S. for centuries by attending a field trip. In this equality lesson, students visit the Tolerance Museum and discuss the history of the U.S. Learners...