Curated OER
Let Me Tell You About My State
State reports can be a lot of fun, especially when the learners get to choose the state they study. This research and writing-focused social studies instructional activity engages learners in collecting information, essay structure,...
Curated OER
A Letter to Terry Fox
Middle schoolers research information about Terry Fox on the Internet. They write a personal letter to Terry Fox.
Curated OER
Message in a Bottle
Students acquire a pen pal in a foreign country and write letters at least twice a month throughout the year to exchange with them. At the end of the year, they write an essay that compares one important difference and one important...
Curated OER
Geography of Mesopotamia
Students write a letter. In this irrigation lesson, students review how humans and the environment can interact with each other, learn new vocabulary words having to do with Mesopotamia, learn about irrigation and view maps of...
Curated OER
In Remembrance of George Washington
Students explore the contributions of George Washington. In this early American history lesson, students analyze the provided eulogy for George Washington written by Henry Lee and then write their eulogies for the first president.
Mississippi Whole School Initiative
Dream Big...With Your Eyes Wide Open
For many people, Barack Obama's presidency was the next step in Martin Luther King, Jr's dream of America's future. Explore the dreams of Americans past and present, as well as the young Americans in your class, with a set of activities...
Curated OER
A Multigenerational Pen Pal Program
Students discover the benefits of writing letters to multigenerational pen pals. In this pen pal instructional activity, students identify a need for communication among the generations. Students begin a pen pal program with the elders...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
Differences Among Colonial Regions
Classes look at and analyze primary source images to explore the differences between the colonial regions during the Revolutionary era. They break into groups to tackle each region and then present their findings to the class. A final...
Curated OER
How Would You Feel?
Sixth graders put themselves in the shoes of aborigines who were displaced from their homes in the 1800s by Europeans who came in and took their land from them. They discuss the social injustices suffered by these people, and write a...
Curated OER
Why Are Thinning Trees Important?
Students investigate thinning trees and why they are important to the forest. In this sustainable environment lesson plan, students role-play as if they are trees in the forest and simulate the overcrowding and inability to move spaces,...
Curated OER
Children of War
Take a closer look at the impact of war in this language arts and social studies lesson. Middle schoolers use primary sources to conduct research as they relate to the effects of war on children. They compare and contrast the effects of...
Curated OER
The End of the Civil Rights Movement
Students examine the relationships between blacks and whites in their community. In this racial discrimination lesson, students make race relations observations within their community and then write letters that reveal their observations...
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Artsgenesis: Civil War Tapestry
Students explore the Civil War and the many emotions that emerged during this era. The teacher arranges students in groups of families and prepares them to simulate typical responses during this era. The Civil War and Gettysburg is...
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Signature History
Students review the meaning and application of primary and secondary sources in research. They determine how researchers locate primary source documents before looking at signatures as a validating factor on many primary sources....
Curated OER
Tribal Truths
Students research and analyze the interactions of American Indian tribes with Meriwether Lewis and iam Clark. Then they stage displays to inform the public about their findings.
Curated OER
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,...
Curated OER
Establishing the Presidency
Middle schoolers consider how George Washington influenced the presidency. In this presidential history worksheet, students discuss the precedents Washington set and analyze a letter that Washington sent to James Madison.
Curated OER
Canada's Arctic Barometer
Students research arctic climates. In this Web-quest investigation, students will identify Arctic climate changes, explain the effects of these changes, relate the changes to other regions, and write their findings in a letter format.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Cultural New Orleans
Students observe the PBS film, "New Orleans," to explore such topics as race relations, cultural history, and urbanization. After examining n interactive map displaying the city at various dates in its history, students role-play as...
Curated OER
Live with Lewis and Clark!
Middle schoolers list in chronological order the major events in the Corps of Discovery's westward journey. They research goals of the expedition, the make up of the Corps, the modes of travel, the route and the interactions with...
Curated OER
Another Way of Life
Students read about the 2006 Amish school killings. They explore Amish life, including how loss and tragedy are handled and compare it to how they, themselves, would handle the same situation. They write fictitious dialogues highlighting...
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Halloween Crafts and Games
Students access a variety of Halloween themed websites. They locate information on crafts, games and activities relating to Halloween. They complete world problems, write poetry and test reading comprehension.
Curated OER
Community Construction Kit
Students engage in a lesson designed to be used with the Print Gallery section in the Community Construction Kit. The Print Gallery is a library of photographs, which provides students with an auditory description of each dwelling...
Curated OER
Postcards from Somewhere
Students correspond with e-pals about their community. In this cross curriculum geography, technology, and literacy lesson, students complete a postcard webquest about their home location including local photographs. Students e-mail...