David Binnington's mural commemorating the 1936 Battle of Cable Street is the focus of a lesson that looks at public art as a form of civic participation. After reading background material about the mural, individuals analyze a segment...

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn continues to be one of the most frequently banned books. The satire and social commentary present challenges when using the book as a core text. Direct readers' attention to how Twain uses plot,...

Your 11th and 12th graders are ready to critique society! Channel that inclination by studying a novel that offers social criticism of other eras (book recommendations included). This resource presents a well-thought-out overview of such...

A picture can speak louder than words. An interesting lesson introduces the themes of social justice and diversity to young learners by having them create artwork. Scholars create collages from a variety of sources to showcase what...

Pupils examine photographs that make social statements. They examine content, symbolism, and their personal reactions to works of art that make expressive statements about social issues.

Get young people thinking about their lives and current topics of social justice, advocacy, gender, race, and identity. After examining several works by Barbara Kruger, participants select a tag with one of the questions printed on it,...

How can something be true even if it didn't happen? Invite your classes to investigate the truths found in the world of magical realism as they analyze short stories, poems, informational texts, video, and art from this genre.

Students read Pinckney Benedict's "The Sutton Pie Safe" to learn about family symbols and social commentary. In this close reading lesson, students read four journal prompts for the story and answer the listed questions for each section.

Students analyze art and war and the Futurist movement. For this art analysis lesson, students define manifesto and its role with artistic movement. Students explore art as a response to political and social issues through image based...

Picture this. Class members follow in the footsteps of W. Eugene Smith, Dorothea Lange, James Nachtwey, and Lewis Hine by creating their own photo essay about a local event or issue.

Can beautiful words change the world? Literary scholars discover how to paint their visions of change using poetry in a series of three workshops. Each independent topic gives participants a chance to examine their feelings about...

Learners create their own work of art that serves as a social commentary. In this art statement instructional activity, students research how art conveyed moral and ethical ideals during the Neoclassical period and create a drawing...

Mobile phones have become an integral part of many people's lives. Examine the role and impact of technology through a short video and related activities. Pupils share what they use their phones for before viewing the film. Class...

Scary stuff! Whether approached as the first horror story or a "serious imaginative exploration of the human condition," Frankenstein continues to engage readers. Here's a packet of activities that uses Mary Shelley's gothic...

High schoolers examine the concept of censorship in authoritarian government and how Japanese and Chinese artists used their work as political commentary. This instructional activity includes possible instructional activity enrichments.

To better understand the Indian Removal Act of 1830, class members examine primary source documents including letters written by Alabama governors and the Cherokee chiefs. The lesson is part of a unit on the expansion of the United...

Students explore Shakespeare as part of American culture. For this Shakespearean culture lesson, students view video clips about modern theater.  Students read excerpts from Shakespearean plays and other commentaries.

High schoolers examine influences on the creation and development of music.

Fifth graders examine note taking skills in order to support opinions. In this language arts lesson plan, 5th graders read several newpaper articles and discuss a current issue. Students explore how to paraphrase so as not to commit...

Students discuss the societal roots of music from times of slavery and black spirituals, and compare it to the emergence of Rap and Hip Hop music.

Students critically examine news articles and editorials for attitudes of discrimination and prejudice. Students then complete checklist in which they analyze news reports for context, content, point of view, language, graphics, and...

Pupils learn of the comparisons between Shakespeare's play, King Lear, and the actual King James. They make historical connections through internet research.

Young scholars edit video tapes of two German immigrants according to the slant: How did you adapt to the strange American ways after immigrating to the Omaha area? Students work in groups to name ten problems immigrants might encounter...

Sixth graders identify and replicate two dimensional illustrations of three dimensional objects. In this spatial visualization lesson, 6th graders practice viewing objects from various sides. Student participate in stations to view...