University of Pennsylvania
Canaan and Ancient Israel
Planning for your next activity on ancient Israel, but not sure where to start? Check out this assortment of activities to help get the ball rolling. It includes a range of ideas on topics, such as Greek and Egyptian mythology,...
Curated OER
Traders of the Lost Art
Learners work in small groups to investigate a variety of art and architecture forms common during the Old Kingdom epoch in Ancient Egypt. Learners then evaluate how these art forms reflect a culture's beliefs and values. And, finally,...
American Museum of Natural History
The Ancient City of Petra
Anyone who has seen Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade will recognize the entrance to the Nabataean city of Petra. Young archaeologists don't need horses or camels to travel through the Sig and tour this fascinating city, however. With...
Curated OER
The Ancient Civilization of Mali
Students explore the ancient civilization of Mali and examine various historical and cultural aspects of the civilization. In this ancient civilization of Mali lesson, students examine trade with respect to geographic locations, discover...
Curated OER
Egyptian Fairy Tale
Students explore ancient Egyptian culture and government. In this social studies lesson plan, students compare the legal system from ancient Egypt to our current American legal system. Links are included for web searching Egypt and the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 4: The Phoenicians, the Greeks, the Romans, and Us
Learners review knowledge gained in the three-part unit on the history of the alphabet. Using maps and images, learners consolidate their understanding of ancient Greece, the Romans and the Phoenicians, and their respective impacts on...
Curated OER
What Is the History of the Consumption of Rice?
Sixth graders research the history of rice consumption. In this rice consumption lesson, 6th graders read a study guide and answer comprehension questions about two rice dishes and rice cultivation.
Curated OER
Why Did Transatlantic Slavery Exist?
Looking for a quick introduction to the transatlantic slave trade? A student-produced presentation outlines the history behind European involvement in the triangle trade.
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Keeping the Past Alive
Students read about the oral histories of West Africa and complete related activities. In this oral histories lesson plan, students read about the importance of oral customs in African cultures. Students interview a family member about...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Greek Alphabet: More Familiar Than You Think!
For this Greek alphabet lesson, pupils explore the Phoenician origins to the Greek alphabet. Learners compare Greek letters to current letters and write a paragraph about the life of learners in ancient Greece. They also identify Greece...
Curated OER
Age of Exploration
In this world history activity, middle schoolers utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions about the Age of Exploration. A short answer question is included as well.
Curated OER
Role of "Outsiders" And Traders in Society
Students examine the Chinese and Japanese conceptions of "insiders" and "outsiders" and how this affects the attitude toward foreign traders from the 6th to the 16th centuries. Lesson extensions are included.
Curated OER
Explorit's Green Salad Quiz
In this food history worksheet, learners read the information about the history of food and salads. Students select the correct answer for the 6 related questions.
Curated OER
TRADERS' GAME
Learners play a game aimed at demonstrating how relationships with other communities or countries affect the food and fiber system. The game simulates the unequal distribution of natural resources which creates the need for...
Curated OER
Indus Valley Civilization
Learners explore the history and geographic background of the Indus Valley. Student research the area and create a travel brochure based on the information.
Curated OER
Indonesia: Riau Autonomy
Students investigate the economy of the Riau Province of Indonesia. They create a timeline, develop a chart to illustrate the economy, write an editorial about Indonesia's decentralization laws, and participate in a panel discussion.
Curated OER
THE PEANUT WIZARD
Students read information about George Washington Carver and outline the information. They are given peanuts in the shell, students examine them and eat them. Students discuss the following questions: Why did George Washington Carver...
Curated OER
Developing Civilizations and the Role of Rice
Student investigate how civilizations developed. In this rice farming lesson, 5th graders explore how rice cultivation changed through different civilizations. Students gain knowledge about different types of rice, where it's grown and...
Curated OER
Working Watermelon
You're going to wish you had a watermelon for this lesson! Class members read about watermelons and make a salad in class to sample. They also perform estimates, measurements and calculations on a watermelon. They predict what percentage...
Curated OER
Ojibwa Arts
Students create a poem based on the Native American Ojibwa art that they read about. For this Ojibwa art lesson plan, students read captions and look at pictures of Ojibwa art and then make up a poem based on them.
Curated OER
Hammurabi's Code of Laws
Young scholars explore why the need arose for laws to govern society, comparing and contrasting hunter/gatherer societies vs. agrarian societies. They write letters to the editor of the Babylonian Times, discussing their opinion of...
Curated OER
Mali
Seventh graders begin the lesson by reading primary sources about the country of Mali. Using maps drawn in the past, they discuss what they can gather about the country from the map and how it has changed over time. They use a graphic...
Curated OER
Dragons In Chinese Folktales And Art
Students investigate and discuss the use of the dragon in Chinese folktales and art in this middle school lesson introducing Chinese art and culture. Lesson extensions are included for additional activities.
Curated OER
Me Oh Maya
Students compare basketball to Mayan ring-ball. They write a newspaper article that may have been published during Mayan times.