Everything ESL
Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Teach your ESL students about Dr. Martin Luther King. This lesson plan includes the TESOL standards. You will find downloads and audio clips.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Australians and New Zealanders
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Australian and New Zealander Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
Library of Congress
Loc: Celebrating 100 Years of the Harley Davidson
This Library of Congress site features the complete history of the American icon, the Harley-Davidson. Great image gallery accompanies the article.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: Stories of Freedom and Justice
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the student sit-ins at the Greensboro, NC. lunch counter, the NAMH has produced this excellent collection of resources centered on the theme of freedom and justice. Experience this important part of...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Americans Celebrate Halloween
How did we come to dress up in costumes and go begging for candy? This site has the story behind Halloween and old photographs.
Other
Dayton Art Institute: An American Painting
American painter Charles Sheeler uses simple shapes to create his painting "Stacks in Celebration." See if you can find the shapes and then follow the lesson plan to create a similar painting of your own.
Rutgers University
One More Once: A Celebration of the Life of Count Basie
Here is a truly wonderful site devoted to the life and music of Count Basie. A musicography tracks his creations through the decades of his life, and there are also photo essays to add celebrity interest to this excellent site.
University of Pennsylvania
Celebration of Women Writers: Narrative of Sojourner Truth
The complete text of "The Narrative of Sojourner Truth" depicts the life of Sojourner Truth as dictated to Olive Gilbert in 1850.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian American Art Museum: Sam Gilliam
Sam Gilliam is profiled at this site in a format that begins with a lengthy biographical sketch of his life. His works are then listed by appearance in the museum's database. Each work is presented in thumbnail format with brief...
Other
Brooklyn Expedition: Latin America
Excellent site about Latin America from the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Explore ancient beliefs and rituals, celebrations, culture, the land, animals, and the history of Latin America.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Why Do Americans and Canadians Celebrate Labor Day?
In the United States and Canada, the first Monday of September is a federal holiday, Labor Day. Originally celebrated in New York City's Union Square in 1882, Labor Day was organized by unions as a rare day of rest for the overworked...
Read Works
Read Works: We're Going to a Powwow
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text describing a Native American powwow. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Day of the Dead
This encyclopedia article from Wikipedia explores what Day of the Dead is and how it is commonly celebrated in Mexico and elsewhere.
Mex Connect
Dia De Muertos: The Dead Come to Life in Mexican Art
To an outsider, Mexico's celebration for their dead loved ones seems a bit morbid. Discover Mexicans distinct view of the afterlife by reading the reaction of a French-Canadian woman visiting the country. Also includes information on...
SMART Technologies
Smart: Holidays and Celebrations Thanksgiving
Children will learn about the similarities and differences between holidays they celebrate and other students in our building celebrate. They will compare and contrast cultures, traditions, foods, clothing, music, etc. of Thanksgiving...
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: South American Cultures
Help your middle schoolers understand cultures unique to different countries. This lesson plan shows how festivals and celebrations are important to all people no matter what nationality.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Celebrations
[Free Registration/Login Required] An interactive introduction to birthday, Christmas and wedding celebrations prompting children to draw on their own experiences of these events.
PBS
Pbs American Masters: Isaac Stern
A virtuoso on the violin, Isaac Stern is celebrated in this brief biography by PBS. Read about the highlights of his life and music.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: On Time: The Almanac
To keep track of time, many people used an almanac. Its elaborate tables of astronomical, seasonal, and religious events provided a useful way to mark time. And its directives on the proper time to do all manner of things from planting...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Bring Hispanic Heritage Month to Life: A Collection of Resources
Celebrate diversity with this collection of ideas to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, including lesson plans, authors, pioneers, and more.
A&E Television
History.com: What Is Indigenous Peoples' Day?
Since 1991, dozens of cities, several universities, and a growing number of states have adopted Indigenous Peoples' Day, a holiday that celebrates the history and contributions of Native Americans. Not by coincidence, the occasion...
Read Works
Read Works: Celebrate National Nutrition Month!
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text listing some simple things people can do to help them stay healthy. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The Iron Horse: After the Celebration
From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the financial woes of Union Pacific after the railroad was completed, and what the government did to recoup some of its loans. Also...
Other
Kwanzaa Information Center
Use this site to discover the history, symbols, celebrations, and language of Kwanzaa.