Curated OER
Dynastic Explorations
Students complete a unit of lessons on medieval Chinese dynasties. They examine the impact the Chinese culture has had on their own lives, label maps, conduct research, read stories, create bamboo stick sentences, write poems, and make...
Curated OER
Paper Dragon Puppet
Students discuss the Chinese New Year and the importance of the dragon in Chinese culture. After examining pictures of dragon puppets, students create simple dragon puppets and have their own Chinese New Year parade.
Curated OER
The Fastest Pig in the West in the Classroom: Rice in China
Students explore agriculture by reading a children's book in class. In this Chinese culture lesson, students read a chapter from the book The Fastest Pig in the West and identify the importance of rice in China's economy and culture....
Curated OER
Our Friends in the East
Young scholars explore Chinese New Year. In this Chinese culture lesson, students visit websites to research the traditions and culture of China as they relate to Chinese New Year.
Curated OER
Our Small World
Students explore indigenous and Native cultures, and promote appreciation for the contributions from these cultures. They explore the concept of cultural conservation and gain more understanding about the issues that tribes face today. ...
Curated OER
Egg-citing Easter Art Activities
Easter art projects can be used to teach students about a variety of cultural art forms.
Curated OER
Cuisine Art
Students explore the history of the foods of different ethnic groups and the significance of these foods in perpetuating culture.
Curated OER
The Way to Rainy Mountain
High schoolers read and analyze the N. Scott Momaday novel, The Way to Rainy Mountain. They share photos of an older family relative, write about the relative, listen to an excerpt from the book, and conduct an Internet research on the...
Curated OER
Traditional Remedies
Students discover alternative medicines from around the globe. In this world culture lesson, students read text from Africa, Ireland, Tibet and Tanzania discussing known remedies to diseases. Students discuss with each other...
Curated OER
East Meets West Quiz
In this East meets West quiz worksheet, 8th graders answer 30 questions in 6 rounds of the quiz, about geography, inventions, religions, art, schools and language with questions written in Chinese and English, including maps,...
PBS
The Pursuit of Excellence
Who doesn’t love French pastries and the idea of hard work? Discover different philosophies on hard work, and the skills of French pastry chefs as the documentary concerning the “Best Craftsmen in France” or Meilleures Ouvriers de France...
Curated OER
Lesson: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Attention to Detail
After a quick warm up activity, learners get ready to use their keen observation skills to examine an ornate Japanese pencil box. They discuss the artistry, skills, and story of the box, paying close attention to details. They then...
Curated OER
Using Primary Sources in the Classroom
Scholars study a historical photograph to make predictions of what happened right after the picture was taken. They research a variety of different topics and use primary sources to answer questions about common food, fashion trends, and...
Ms. Effie's Lifesavers
Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man in the Spotlight
Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man is the most frequently cited novel for the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Open Response Question. Those new to using the book and and veterans as well will find the teaching strategies, the...
PBS
Historical Perspectives: Coming Home from War
What do the homecoming experiences of soldiers who fought in WWII, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan reveal about the politics and culture of the US during the time period of each war? Young historians view The Way We Get By, which tells...
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Suki's Kimono
In the story Suki's Kimono drums are used to show mood. Learners discuss mood in the story after they practice playing a simple 4/4 rhythm on their drums. Each group plays the rhythm using a different tempo. They listen to each...
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Dance in Hawai`i
Nearly every people group has some type of dance, and those dances usually reflect history and culture. Little researchers write an essay on the cultural significance of the Hawaiian hula dance. They research the role of the hula dancer...
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Changing Scapes
Culture and art are two things that change with time and context. Learners compare and contrast two landscape prints from different time periods. They work through art terminology to help them describe what they see in each piece. The...
Curated OER
Culture in Art
Learners explore how cultural aspects of their lives are depicted in society. They view a video on Frida Kahlo and identify the cultural elements that she referenced in her work.
Curated OER
American Deaf Culture: A History of Language
Students examine the relationship between language and culture in the Deaf Community. They discover the history of sign language and how it has been viewed in the past. They examine the Deaf community's beliefs and values.
Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
Comparing Themes
The tale of "Lon Po Po" is a Chinese story, very similar to the European tale of "Little Red Riding Hood." Learners make cross cultural comparisons between the two tales, focusing on themes common to both. They review story elements such...
Curated OER
The Cultural Geography of Africa South of the Sahara "Kente Cloth"
Students read several articles about West African strip weaving of Kente cloth. They explore the cultural context in which strip weaving occurs. They answer four comprehension questions and compose a magazine article about strip weaving.
Curated OER
A World of Special Celebrations
Brainstorm lists of celebrations with which your class are familiar. This lesson can be adapted to many different grade levels as they research ethnic and religious occasions/events celebrated by people around the world, and present...
Curated OER
Daily Life in Ancient Greece
Sixth graders discover what everyday life was like for Ancient Greeks. In this Greek history lesson, 6th graders examine the cultural diversity of Ancient Greece and how it affected daily life for its citizens.