Curated OER
Ecoregions of Texas
Seventh graders discuss why hunter-gatherers might have favored certain areas in which to live. In pairs, they research specific regions to examine in depth. Students present their eco-region vegetation findings (in this case Central...
Curated OER
Evolutions of Pottery
Students study the history and importance of clay and pottery. They observe a video dealing the kiln. Students explore ideas for improving construction of pottery. They demonstrate a variety of construction methods and identify the...
Curated OER
Women and the Civil War Era
Students explore feminism and explore the different roles of women and how they have changed over time. They read books about women in this period and evaluate the past, observe the present, and make assumptions about the future.
Curated OER
Religious Tolerance in Pennsylvania
Students analyze Quakers including their beliefs. For this religious tolerance lesson students predict the future effects of the colonies.
Curated OER
The 1860 Election in Pennsylvania
Young scholars examine the political parties of the 1860 election and compare their platforms. In this election lesson students determine the meaning of a political cartoon and predict the outcome of the 1860 election.
Curated OER
Montauk Historic Site
Students study the contributions of the Larrabee family. In this Iowa history instructional activity, students listen to a lecture regarding William Larrabee's governorship and the building of Montauk home.
Curated OER
African Masks (Pre-Visit)
Second graders observe and describe several masks from different parts of Africa housed in the Smithsonian Institute (National Museum of African Art) Washington, D.C. They use the internet to view the Smithsonian's virtual exhibits.
Curated OER
Desegregating the Kentucky Public School System
Young scholars watch a video which chronicles the struggle to desegregate Kentucky's schools. They write a paper on a given aspect of what they saw in the video.
Curated OER
Presenting Your Community
Middle schoolers research the history of a notable building and prepare a Power Point presentation to be used on the online scrapbook. They research the location of the building in the community, the architectural style and the date of...
Curated OER
"The Father of Lavish Advertising": P.T. Barnum
Pupils examine the life and work of P.T. Barnum. They discover his advertising techniques and business practices. They examine his use of people with disabilities for amusement.
Curated OER
An Introduction:
Students explore historical research with primary sources about Hydropower.
Curated OER
Scrapbook of Freedom
Third graders examine what it was like for a child traveling in the Underground Railroad.
Curated OER
Plants in Texas: Then and Now
Seventh graders discuss continuity and change, identify various plant materials, and compare and contrast ways in which early people used plants in Texas in prehistoric times with ways that modern man in Texas uses plants today.
Curated OER
Cabeza de Vaca Meets the Coahuiltecans
Students examine the difference between primary and secondary sources by examining the journal of Cabeza de Vaca and creating a poster about the Coahuitecan Indian groups. They portray a scene of the groups in 16th Century south Texas.
Curated OER
Three Days at Gettysburg
Eighth graders discuss why the Battle of Gettysburg was important to the Civil War. In groups, they identify the major events of each day of the battle. They analyze how the battle changed the direction of the war and discuss the outcome.
Arizona State University
Southwest Culture Through Art: Unit and Lessons
This unit on Southwest American culture planned for sixth graders features six lesson plans on the following subjects: small group collage, exploring concepts, artifacts, pottery, petroglyph rock art pins, and architecture. (Click on...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Russell Cave: Prehistoric Cultures
Russell Cave in Alabama holds clues to the many groups of inhabitants that represented cultures in America over the past 10,0000 years. Read an overview of the cultures themselves before looking into the cultures in more detail. Find...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
Site explains the federal law that was passed in 1990 that protects Native American cultural items: the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act(NAGPRA). The site answers FAQ on the NAGPRA and keeps online databases of...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of the American Indian: Infinity of Nations
Learn about ten North and South American Native American nations by playing the Infinity of Nations Culture Quest game. Examine Native American crafts and artifacts that are part of Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian,...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of the American Indian: Ancient Mexican Art
Learn about the Ancient Mexican history of art and the influences that their daily lives and culture had on the art. View many pieces from the Collection of the National Museum of the American Indian.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of the American Indian: Infinity of Nations
Exhibtion of artwork and artifacts from geographic regions across the Americas highlights the historic significance and diversity of material culture produced by Native Americans, past to present. With examples of textiles, ceramics,...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Cabeza De Vaca
Explorer Cabeza de Vaca is considered the first true Chicano writer, having been born in Spain and then absorbed into the Native American culture, highlighting this new culture in his writings. Click on "Cabeza de Vaca Activities" for...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Exploring Borderlands: Americo Paredes
This passage highlights the contemporary contributions to Chicano history and culture by Americo Paredes, through various mediums. Click on "Americo Paredes Activities" for related artifacts and activities.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of the American Indian: A Song for the Horse Nation
This exhibit from the National Museum of the American Indian explores the close relationship of Native Americans and their horses through art, pottery, textiles, artifacts, and photographs. It traces this relationship from the 15th...