Curated OER
Sundiata, Mali’s Lion King
Students investigate the history of Mali. In this African cultures lesson, students research the impact of Sundiata Keita as king of Mali, recognize the significance of historical Malian festivals, and create character masks to be worn...
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Cinderella Trilogy
Students look at three different versions of the Cinderella story. In this comparative literature lesson, students read the Chinese version "Yeh-Shen", the Egyptian version "Rhodopis," and the Native American version "The Hidden One" of...
Curated OER
Image Conscious
Students take a stand on the concept of changing their appearance. In this changing of ones image lesson, students create a design that would change their image and discuss the age they think they should be to make that change in their...
Curated OER
2002: The Year In Review
Students research and create a book highlighting significant events and trends throughout the world in the year 2002. Then, through creative writing, they respond to the events or trends themselves and how they affected our world.
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Mapping an Empire
How did the expansion of the Roman Empire during the first century contribute to its downfall? Using a map of the Roman Empire in 44 BC and one of the Roman Empire in 116 AD as references, class member use critical reading skills to...
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Greek Inquiry Report and Presentation
Sixth graders choose from a list of researchable inquiry questions. They engage in all phases of inquiry/research process.
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Exchange Students
Learners discuss as a class the items they value and why. They read an article about the popularity of cellphones in Iraq. In groups, they work together to create a guide to their culture to share with others visiting their classroom....
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The Sparkplugs: Special Occasions for Writing In the History Classroom
Students are to discover ways in which to spark their interest in writing. As a class, they examine the purpose and function of political conventions. Individually, they role-play they are a page at a National convention and identify...
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Faith in Wartime
Learners explore World War II and the people of that era. Numerous activities allow students to examine conscientious objectors; why it was difficult for people to maintain their religious faith while experiencing the horrors of war;...
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A Different World?
Students share their opinions in a brainstorming session on the factors that contribute to their quality of life. They read the article "Life Is Better; It Isn't Better. Which Is It?," from the NY Times and discuss the article as a...
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History: The Lessons of Vietnam
Students examine the influence of U.S. involvement in foreign wars on Smerican society. They develop interview questions to ask veterans of the Vietnam War and write letters of introduction to them. Following the link interviews,...
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Rebels Or Resisters?
Middle schoolers participate in a mock trial on the Whiskey Rebellion that took place in the state of Pennsylvania in 1794. They analyze the perspectives presented by both sides to determine whether the Whiskey "rebels" were guilty of...
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Festive Season
Students research various cultural and religious festivals celebrated and observed by Australians, describing common elements and identifying adaptations that have been made for life in Australia.
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The Mighty Mississippi River
Students acquire in-depth knowledge of the geographic significance of the Mississippi River. They identify and expand their knowledge of the role of the river in the development of cities. Finally, students gain insight into the ways...
National First Ladies' Library
Writing (and Rewriting!) History
Middle schoolers differentiate between fiction and non-fiction, discuss historical fiction, which combines both genres, choose historical novel from list and read independently, and write original short stories that combine elements of...
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Disaster Relief - Power, Generosity and Leadership
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students discover philanthropy's role in 4 economic sectors. Students examine how organizations responded to the Hurricane Katrina devastation and work...
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Renaissance 'Movers and Shakers.'
Sixth graders complete a research project. In this research and Renaissance lesson plan, 6th graders take a pre-test on important Renaissance figures and discuss their answers. Students research their Renaissance figure and present...
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The Civil War: Learning from Our Peers
Fifth graders discover the Civil War as taught by their peers. In this Civil War lesson, 5th graders create their own lesson plans to teach the class about the Civil War. The students are monitored by the teacher but are given lectures...
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Sim's Cities
Young scholars investigate city management and government by creating a fictional city in groups. In this civics lesson, students create rules and a mascot for their fictitious city which they create from poster board cubes. Young...
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Underground Railroad
Students explore the Underground Railroad. In this U.S. history and technology lesson, students research an assigned topic related to the Underground Railroad, such as "abolitionist," "conductor," or "station houses." Students design a...
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Reading Help Wanted Ads
Students explore employment by analyzing the newspaper. In this wanted ads lesson, students identify the importance of job selection and job growth while reading entries in the wanted ads for employment opportunities. Students answer...
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Cultural Capital
Students research the adaptation and acculturation of immigrant groups in the United States. They create culture capsules aimed at preserving the cultural heritage of new peoples in American society.
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Covering the News
Students compare the coverage of two crime stories Using local or national newspapers, news magazines and other reference materials, each group trace the "unfolding" of two crime stories: The Laci Peterson investigation plus one students
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Riot, Revolution and Reform
Young scholars examine the student protests and subsequent massacre at Tiananmen Square in 1989 and the current petition by victims' family members to open a criminal investigation of the responsible officials.