Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

American Utopia: The Architecture and History of the Suburb

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Let's build a dream house! By examining promotional materials and photographs of early suburban developments, scholars consider what led to the development of this particular American dream. The resource includes case studies of three...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Architecture and Life Style of the Middle Class in the 1800's

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders are briefed by representatives of the Arlington Historical Society on the history of the area. After visiting the area themselves, they make a chart or take photographs to show what they have learned.
Study Guide
Cave Creek Unified School District

Crusades and Culture in the Middle Ages

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
The Crusades sounds like a glamorous time period in the Middle Ages full of glory—but was it? Scholars find and review the truth of the Crusades' influence on the world through the resource. The study guides, separated individually by...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Architecture and Democracy

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders contrast and compare ancient Greece to the U.S.A.  In this Greek History lesson, 5th graders investigate the buildings and designs of ancient Greece, as well as their democracy and government.  Students answer...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gingerbread Architecture: An Exploration and Engineering

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders design and build a gingerbread house. In this technology lesson, 8th graders research the important components of a house. They evaluate the strength of their design and suggest modifications when necessary.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Charleston Architectural Study

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Student learn about the historical significance and local history of Charlestown SC. Young scholars begin with lectures, notes, coloring books and culminate with historical building visits.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"ART ZOO 'Blacks in the Westward Movement', 'What Can You Do with a Portrait', and 'Of Beetles, Worms, and Leaves of Grass'"

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study black history, examine portraits and portrait making and create their own portraits, and  investigate their natural environment. This humanities lesson provides a text that can be used to teach lessons in black...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mixing Colors with Corn Syrup and Food Coloring

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
Anyone who has worked with small children know that color identification and color mixing can be fun! This simple idea has a lot of potential. It suggests to mix food coloring with corn syrup to provide an opportunity for color mixing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Greek Architecture

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore the Parthenon. In this lesson on Greek Architecture, students view a video on classical architecture, then split into groups to research assigned architectural elements such as capitals, columns and floors. They then...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Architecture of New England and the Southern Colonies as it Reflects the Changes in Colonial Life

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Pupils compare and contrast the various types of architecture in the Southern colonies. Using slides, they discuss how the homes were made and the materials used. In groups, they identify how the types of homes reflected the lifestyles...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping My Spot in History

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students create their own town's history. They place themselves on the map in a literal as well as figurative sense. Students produce portions of an updated version of an early twentieth century panoramic map. Students gather information...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Tale of Genji

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
Did you know that the world's first novel was written by a woman? Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji, was published in 1021. Class members research Eastern and Western cultures in the 10th and 11th centuries, view modern adaptations of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Artists, Architects, and Architecture

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students are introduced to the concept of architecture and how it has changed over time. In groups, they discuss how the places people have built reflects their values and needs. They use the internet to research the history of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geometry of Democracy

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore the architecture of New England by identifying geometric shapes.  In this architectural lesson, students examine photographs of classic building architecture and use a transparency to trace geometric shapes they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Primary Structural Forms: Post and Beam

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine the three primary structural forms of architecture. They view photos, take a walking tour of their community, conduct strength tests of post, beam, and arch construction, and analyze the test results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mayan History

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine Mayan contributions to the world. In this Mesoamerican culture lesson, students view a slideshow about the Maya and then peruse books about the accomplishments of the culture. Students create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lift and Drag: Principles of Flight and the Soaring Imagination

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Learners construct models of early gas balloons and gliders. In this balloon and glider lesson, students create models of early gas balloons and gliders, discover how the forces of lift and drag effect aircraft in flight, and put on...
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Colossal Structures and Sculptures

For Teachers K - 5th
Students discuss the connection between culture and art and why people create art. Students discuss Mt. Rushmore, The Sphinx, the goddess Athena, Roman columns, The Great Wall of China, The Buddha, and use tools and techniques to create ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Built to Last

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore architectural elements of ancient buildings. In groups, they research famous structures. Students write an opinion paper examining the debate over whether or not ancient monuments should be maintained or rebuilt after a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Discovering Details: Shoebox Designs

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate architectural art by creating an interior design for a box.  In this art design lesson, students analyze modern artifacts such as doorknobs, brackets and mailboxes by using a Venn diagram to identify...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Skyscrapers

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students engineer their way through a hands-on science activity. In this architecture lesson, students examine dead loads and wind loads as they participate in the Skyscraper Challenge.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Walking Down Main Street: The Changing Times of a Railroad Town

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students explore the historic district via a scavenger hunt. In this community history instructional activity, students complete a scavenger hunt using historic postcards and clues as guides. Students create a timeline demonstrating...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction And Brief History of Materials Science

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students develop an understanding of the concept of matter. They l participate actively in the bubble raft experiment as described on the Center for Thermal Spray Research's website. They demonstrate dislocations and grain...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Battle of Fort Moultrie

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this American Revolution lesson, 8th graders examine the Battle of Fort Moultrie and create their own historical narratives regarding the event.