Curated OER
Lesson: Michael Blum: National Identity at a Distance
Immigration, refugees, and cultural change due to the movement of people around the globe is discussed. Learners examine the work of Michael Blum to gain an understanding of how national and cultural identities shift due to immigration....
Curated OER
The Human Mind, Alcohol and the Brain
Students create a diagram showing the effects of alcohol on the brain and then create a lesson plan to teach this information to middle school students. They contact middle school teachers and make arrangements for students to actually...
Curated OER
Create a Board Game
Students research, design, and create a game board based on information learned in ancient civilizations' social studies units. They utilize computer technology to research the project, as well as, textbooks, in-class library and video...
Curated OER
WHO Wants Clean Water! Do You? Solving Conflicts Over International Water Rights Issues
Students examine the water rights on an international scale. In this social studies lesson, students research on a specific water rights issue. They write a paper about their findings and create a PowerPoint presentation which they share...
Curated OER
Medieval Clothing and Fashion
Learners examine the clothing of medieval times. In this Middle Ages lesson, students view their instructor in the clothing of the era. Learners then research the clothing worn by the people of the time period and create booklets that...
University of Chicago
Exercise in Conflict Resolution
How do major religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, differ in how they view the role of individual freedoms within society, the definition of morality, and the importance of politically satisfying the greater good? Here...
Curated OER
Invetories Slave owner or not?
Primary source analysis is a great way to bring history to life. Learners examine a series of personal inventories taken from Southern white males who died during the Civil War era. They analyze the documents to determine the social and...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Teaching the 9/11 Anniversary
Here is a instructional activity on terrorism and 9/11. While outdated, it could be easily revised for today's teens. It includes targeted vocabulary, a background information activity, critical thinking questions, and step-by-step...
Curated OER
The American Cowboy
Middle Schoolers produce a class newspaper about the American cowboy and the times in which he lived with illustrations, feature stories and advertisements typical of the times. This is an ambitious, yet worthwhile project for youngsters...
Curated OER
Was the Stamp Act Fair?
Elementary and middle schoolers examine and evaluate different perspectives concerning events leading to the American Revolution. In this case, they hone in on the Stamp Act. They research controversial bills, laws, or events of the time...
Smithsonian Institution
Students’ Response to 9/11—A Documentary Report
Young historians research the devastating attacks of 9/11 and use that information to script their own documentaries. The follow-up activity includes recording the documentary and conducting classmate interviews,
Smithsonian Institution
Songs, Sounds and Stories from the Georgia Sea Islands
American music is the result of the influence of many cultures, including the traditions brought by the African slaves. Young scholars study the polyrhythms, the call-and-response format, and the vocal improvisations of the Gullah...
Curated OER
Social Studies - Concentration Camps -2
Eighth graders investigate the typical day in a concentration camp. In this Holocaust lesson, 8th graders read primary and secondary sources about the conditions of the camps. Students also conduct research about the Warsaw Ghetto,...
Curated OER
Exploring Islamic Lands
Students explore the culture of the Middle East. In this Islamic culture lesson plan, students conduct research to create personal narratives that reveal what life is like in the Middle East for Islamic teens today.
US Mint
The Growth of a Nation
Young historians explore the identity of the early United States in this four-part lesson series. Working in groups of three, students research the political, economic, and cultural atmosphere of each member of the union prior to 1812,...
Curated OER
Youth Obesity: Schools Fight Back
Kids fight obesity by comparing the USDA food intake suggestions to what they personally consume throughout the day. They watch a video, read texts, and explore related vocabulary which they use as they compose an oral presentation.
Curated OER
Columbus: Hero or Villain?
Students explore Christopher Columbus's motives. In this character education activity, students research Internet and print sources regarding the life and actions of Christopher Columbus in order to write essays that his actions as the...
Curated OER
The Trash We Pass
Where does our garbage go? What is the difference between a recyclable and non-recyclable item? Pose these important, but often overlooked, questions to your class and invite them to consider the lasting and damaging effects of the...
Curated OER
The Four Religions of East Asia
Students compare and contrast the four main religions of Asia (Buddhism
Confucianism, Daoism, and Shinto). This lesson plan is intended for use in the middle school Social Studies classroom.
Curated OER
How Historians Know: Investigating a Midwife's Life
Young scholars view "A Midwife's Tale" to explain the methods historians use to study the past. They complete worksheets to identify what historians look for.
Curated OER
The Renaissance Period - People
Middle schoolers study about the Renaissance Period. Then, they choose one person: Michelangelo, Galileo, Martin Luther, and Leonardo da Vinci and write a paper about that person.
Curated OER
Research Projects in Renewable Energy for High School Students
Thirty-eight pages of information prepares you to assign middle or high schoolers a project on sustainable energy. They take a pretest, review the scientific method, conduct background research, and finally choose an experiment to carry...
Curated OER
Can We Live in Peace? Middle East: A Region in Turmoil
Seventh graders analyze three monotheistic religions as an appreciation of the Middle East. In this world religions lesson, 7th graders analyze the beliefs and the leaders of the three major religions. Students research a topic and...
National First Ladies' Library
Women's Lives in the Victorian Era
The lives of middle-class Victorian women were circumscribed by strict standards that governed all aspects of behavior. To gain a better understanding of the Victorian Ideals for women, class members research the life of a middle-class...