Curated OER
Making A New Nation
Eighth graders read standard road maps and topographical maps, and examine the lives of pathfinders who opened the trails to the West. They develop Living History presentations, role-playing a character from the past.
Curated OER
International Relations
Ninth graders are expected to have an in-depth understanding of a country's national profile, current events, and projected foreign policy options and the impact of those options on current world affairs.
Curated OER
Watch the Birdie
Young scholars complete a six-week unit on North American birds. They conduct research, develop fact sheets, create labeled bird drawings, write a dictionary of bird vocabulary words, create a Concentration game, and observe birds in...
Curated OER
Role Models - Grade 8
Eighth graders research Elders as role models. In this native studies lesson, 8th graders select Elders of the First Nations and research their contributions to society. Students create posters featuring the their findings and present...
Curated OER
Biography Tea
Students. through a variety of library books on biographies, explore and assess the contributions of individuals to society. They choose one person to write a short biography on after reading their biography checked out from the library.
Curated OER
Separate is Not Equal: Brown v. Board of Education
Learners analyze photographs that feature segregation. In this human rights lesson, students examine photographs of a segregated movie theater, a Ku Klux Klan gathering, a segregated business sign, and an illustration from "Harper's...
Curated OER
Family Life Around the Globe
First graders examine customs of other nations and compare countries using Venn diagrams. They also write pen pal letters and e-mails to students in other countries.
Curated OER
Plants have needs, too!
Plants can die if they don't get enough sunlight and water. Kindergartners observe a picture of a hanging plant and grass under a tree, and interpret which each plant has died. Next, they grow watercress seeds in wet cotton to compare...
Curated OER
Children's Organization for Civil Rights
Pupils analyze a speech from Constance Baker Motley, examine student Organization for Civil Rights' documents, and then create their own plan of action for what the C.O.C.R. might be like if it existed today.
Curated OER
Superbowl XXXVII Ads: Who Wins Here?
Young scholars research what experts and viewers thought about the commercials shown during Super Bowl XXXVII, paying special attention to the reason ads very popular or not. Students prepare a notebook or a PowerPoint presentation on...
Curated OER
WW II Magazine
Eleventh graders search the database for pictures of WW II, photographs, posters, etc. They use the documents to support writing two magazine articles. The magazine articles be a minimum of 500 and maximum 1000 words.
Curated OER
Eastern European Studies
One learning exercise, three projects. Learners explore Eastern Europe and mark Eastern European countries on a map. They then collect and record census data on thirteen different countries, and write a 3-5 page expository essay on one...
Curated OER
Citizens of the Future
Young sociologists explore how local, state, and federal governments work. This very impressive and ambitious lesson requires pupils to contact government officials who represent them and their families. They research elections, and hold...
Shakespeare in American Life
Patriarchy in King Lear and As I Lay Dying
King Lear, “Papa Doc” Duvalier, Colonel Walter E. Kurtz and Anse Bundren? Imagine a unit that examines the tragic hero and patriarchy in King Lear, As I Lay Dying and Apocalypse Now. To liven the brew, learners are asked to include in...
California Polytechnic State University
Australian Geography Unit
At the heart of this resource is a beautifully detailed PowerPoint presentation (provided in PDF form) on the overall physical geography of Australia, basic facts about the country, Aboriginal history, and Australia culture and lifestyle.
Curated OER
How Current Events Affect Us
Elementary and middle schoolers research a current event using various resources. They participate in a class discussion to evaluate the information they gathered on a particular event. Additionally, they discuss the concepts of common...
Lesson Planet
Black History Month: Celebrating Diversity and Progress
Black History Month is a time to recognize the achievements of our civil rights heroes while looking toward the future with a vision of equality for all.
Curated OER
Appalachia
Students investigate the benefits of dance and participate in dances. In this dance lesson, students investigate a number of dances such as square dancing and clogging that are native to Appalachia. They use math concepts to determine...
Science Friday
Ugh, a Bug!
Young entomologists familiarize themselves with the physical characteristics of insects. Composed of two activities, each instructional activity involves your scientists tapping into their prior knowledge of bugs and making observations...
Carolina K-12
Group Project: Freedom Parade
Parades are a great way to celebrate. Get young historians into the festivities by asking them to create an informational float for a Freedom Parade. Picking a topic from the provided list or suggesting one of their own, class members...
Curated OER
It is Our Right-Don't Waste It!
Students explore the basic rights granted to all American citizens by the U.S. Constitution in the light of women's issues. The women's suffrage movement, the role of Susan B. Anthony, and the timeline of events on voting rights are...
Curated OER
Fort Owen: Cultural Crossroad of the Bitterroot Valley
Fourth graders investigate the history of Bitterroot Valley. They conduct research using primary and secondary resources. The analysis of the information is used to discover the true relationship the settlers and native peoples. Then...
Curated OER
Using Opening Lines as Writing Prompts
Help your writers get started with these hooks! Twenty-five opening lines from the "Lives" column in the New York Times Magazine act as prompts for creative writing. Have your learners choose one prompt and write an original essay....
Curated OER
Picture America's Sweetheart
Students examine Seventeen Magazine's America's Sweetheart contest and one of their finalists by reading about Sunia Arif and what made Seventeen choose her. Students then write a 300-word essay about what would make them or someone they...