Curated OER
Playing with History
Students consider the elements that make computer games compelling, then use these elements to develop game 'narratives' based on historic events.
Curated OER
Closing the Gaps
Students examine the defining characteristics of their own generation. They apply their analysis to learning about previous generations, and synthesize their learning by creating improvisational skits and writing creative essays.
Curated OER
Mass Production Using an Assembly Line
Fifth graders examine the industrial revolution. In this industrialization lesson, 5th graders explore the concept of mass production via the assembly line. They then create an assembly line which demonstrates its costs and benefits...
Curated OER
If These Walls Could Speak...
High schoolers examine the relationship between history, the use of a given space, and its design. They research the relationship between technology and design while exploring a variety of sources. They study what scale models are and...
Curated OER
Changing of the Guard
Students reflect on their knowledge of democracy. After reading an article, they examine current plans for the placement of a democracy in Iraq. In groups, they research past regime changes and democratization attempts and discuss the...
Curated OER
Waging A Living
Students view a video clip about minimum wage. They discover the history of wage policy in the United States and the difference between the minimum wage and living wage. They write a paper on how to increase the wages.
Curated OER
Struggles for Power
Students investigate the leaders of the Roman Empire. In this ancient Rome lesson plan, students research the contributions of Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius I, and Nero. Students write obituaries that feature the...
University of Colorado
Astro-Chronology
Class members play a version of the game Chronology to determine when certain scientific events occurred in history. Teams play until someone has 5-10 events in the correct order.
Curated OER
A Play Can Be a Way to Review Any Topic
Students can write plays to reinforce and review any topic.
Curated OER
Primary and Secondary Sources - 7th
A link to a beautiful Animoto presentation is included, giving examples of primary sources that a student might want to contact when doing research. Using the Topaz Internment Camp in Utah as a sample topic, middle schoolers view a slide...
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Gifts from Land and Water
With a series of fun hands-on simulations, young children can learn about conservation and natural resources. Your learners become land detectives, discussing and investigating the gifts that the land and water provide them. They then...
YMCA
Turning Courtrooms into Classrooms
Turn the class into the next episode of Law & Order! Scholars work together to create a mock trial over the course of several weeks before going before a judge for the case performance. They take on different roles, go through...
Curated OER
Historical Fiction Project
Students be engaged in a history project that is combined with Language Arts with the purpose of teaching students how to cite bibliographic information. This is important for doing future research.
Curated OER
Exploring Maps: Navigation
Students engage in a lesson that is concerned with the concept of navigation while research is conducted with the use of a variety of resources. The information is used to expand their perspective of the applications for navigation. The...
PBS
Democracy in Action: Freedom Riders
This is a must-have resource for every social studies teacher covering the civil rights movement. Through an engaging video and detailed viewing guide, young historians learn about the Freedom Riders, and discover how everyday...
Curated OER
Organizaton of American States Project
Students discover the Organization of American States by researching currents issues in those countries. They create a PowerPoint presentation and share with the class.
Curated OER
I See The Rhythm : The Study of Blues and Jazz
Students gain an appreciation for various types of music. Using the music of the past, they compare it with the music of today. In groups, they research periods in which blues and jazz were most popular and write their own piece of music...
Curated OER
Darwin's Finches
Seventh graders engage in a study of the Theory Of Evolution with the use of Darwin's finches as examples while making a connection to adaptive radiation. They use class discussion in order to further the lesson and focus upon...
Curated OER
Reflecting On The Past, Looking Towaards The Future
Students engage in a instructional activity that is concerned with the formation of a multimedia presentation to create a documentary of a middle school. They take photographs with a digital camera and use computer software to create a...
Curated OER
Clear and Present Danger
Students assume identities of lawmakers, judges, writers, and protestors during times in American history when freedoms of speech and press were limited because country was on the brink of war or fighting one. Students use primary source...
Curated OER
Middle Passage: a Journey of Endurance
Students determine that thriving African cultures engaged in international trade and exploration before the emergence of European civilization. The study ancient Ghana, its geographic locale, the diversity therein to include its people,...
Curated OER
Inside The Pyramids
High schoolers research the use of pyramids in different cultures. In this ancient civilizations lesson, students watch "Inside the Pyramids." High schoolers conduct further research on the topic and create...
Curated OER
Human Evolution
Young scholars investigate hominid evolution to learn the difference between a relative and an ancestor. They study the emergence of bipedalism and the related physical adaptations and cultural ramifications, and chart patterns of...
Curated OER
The American Revolution and Williamsburg
Williamsburg provides a way for students to learn about the American Revolution.