Curated OER
Communist Revolution
Students examine the Russian Communist Revolution of 1917. They watch and discuss a video, take notes and answer video discussion questions, and read and evaluate newspaper articles about how Lenin and Stalin are viewed today in the...
Curated OER
Manifest Destiny and Westward Expansion
Students explore the economic, political, racial, and religious roots of Manifest Destiny. They read articles and analyze how the concept influenced the nation's westward expansion. Students discover the motivations and expectations of...
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The Importance of Freedom
The students will become familiar with the Underground Railroad. They will gain an understanding of slaves and what it means to have little or no freedom and compare that with the rights that all Americans have now.
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The Dream Factory
Students compare postcard samples from Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX. They examine them to find common elements they share (tone, mood, romanticized themes, artistic elements, etc.) They create postcards to show the "real" Austin.
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An All American Success Story
Students read the All American Success Story and answer comprehension questions. They write an essay about a person they consider to be a successful person.
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The Revolving Door: U.S. Immigration
Students compare current cultural perceptions of the immigrant experience with ones of the past. They will relate current immigration stories as seen in the PBS documentary "The New Americans" to those of the historical past.
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A Time to Break Silence
Eleventh graders investigate Martin Luther King's decision to speak out against the war in Vietnam. In this American History lesson, 11th graders read excerpts of MLK's speech. Students examine why King made the decision to...
Curated OER
Immigration: A Cultural Perspective
Students investigate immigration and migration patterns near Pittsburgh, and distinguish between voluntary and involuntary migrants. They evaluate the importance of urban villages in relation to the immigrant experience.
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Immigration: A History
Studnets trace how immigration patterns have changed in America's history. They analyze the relationship between economic growth and immigration.
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Paying With Their Health
Learners consider the plight of immigrant workers. In this undocumented immigrant lesson, students compare the worker of the Industrialization era to the undocumented immigrant workers of today. Learners read and discuss literature about...
Creative Educator
Design a Rainforest Postcard
Send your class on an expedition through the rainforest! Along the way, they will write informational postcards to demonstrate what they've learned. Each team will be responsible for one of five rainforest regions. When they return from...
Curated OER
"Aerogrammes"
High schoolers examine Asian American culture through the analysis of the poem, 'Aerogrammes.' They watch a video, read and discuss the poem, take a field trip to Chinatown, and write a poem about their Chinatown experience.
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Rock 'N Roll Mount Rushmore
Learners, in groups, gather information about the sculptor Gutzon Borglum and the four presidents he carved in the South Dakota mountain, Mt. Rushmore. Groups create a Rock 'n' Roll President brochure.
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Acting Legally
Learners analyze potential challenges that immigrant women have in the workforce. In this history lesson, students identify specific problems immigrant women face, then brainstorm possible solutions in their group. The final...
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How Do Artists Get Their Ideas? Culture and Environment as Sources of Ideas
Learners share the difficulties they have in determining what to write or draw for a project. In groups, they view examples from three different artists and discuss how their personal experiences affected their art. They brainstorm a...
Curated OER
Seashell Homes
Pupils listen to a story about seashells. They discuss shelled animals. Learners describe the function of seashell. Pupils relate the function of a seashell to their own dwelling. They differentiate between shelled animals that make...
Curated OER
Community Symbols: Heroes and Leaders
Students research the importance of community leaders in portraits. In this art history lesson, students look at the painting "The Ascension of Simon Bolivar on Mount Jamaica" and discuss what they see in the portrait. Students research...
Curated OER
Critical Consumerism: Videos and Teen Culture
Students analyze music videos as a study on teen culture. In this teen culture lesson plan, students view music videos and track a different aspect of the videos for male representation, female representation, racial representation,...
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Demystifying Stereotypes and Understanding
Young scholars investigate cultural diversity. In this Asian cultures lesson plan, students discuss the attributes of cultures and participate in a classroom simulation that requires them to experience Asian cultural norms and compare...
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National Gallery of Art: Jackson Pollock
Students paint a picture in the style of Jackson Pollock. In this painting lesson, students learn about Jackson Pollock and the method that he used to create his famous pieces of art. Students use objects other than paintbrushes to...
Curated OER
Where I Come From
Students discuss the countries and cultures that are part of their family history. They research the country their family "came from" and write a report.
Curated OER
Lyndon Baines Johnson : Triumph and Tragedy
Pupils view a documentary on Lyndon Baines Johnson. His presidency was both a success and a failure. After viewing, students discuss what they saw then create a poster for LBJ's 1964 presidential campaign. They discuss Vietnam as well.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Analyzing Massachusetts Immigration
Young scholars investigate immigration in Massachusetts during the 1990's. They research a series of questions pertaining to immigration, including their experiences, obstacles, and countries of origin. They graph the five most...
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Arnold Schwarzenegger: Flex Appeal
Learners explore how Arnold Schwarzenegger rose to the top of Hollywood's A-list through sheer muscle and determination. Born in a small Austrian village, Arnold buffed not only his body, but his image and ego.