New York City Department of Education
Egypt
This six-week unit encompasses all subjects with a focus study on world history and the development of ancient civilizations. As gifted and talented students dive into the interesting yet challenging topic of Egypt, they think critically...
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Ethnic Art: African. Mexican and Caribbean Perspectives
Students study artistic aspects of their culture. They compare ethnic cultures through arts and crafts and produce quality works of art from the knowledge that they have gained. They develop the vocabulary required to verbalize or...
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Black and White = Polka Dots
Students read about other cultures. In this cultural diversity instructional activity, students read a story about a culture that is different than theirs. Students discuss the ways the characters in the story are like them and the ways...
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Native American Village Days
Students research the tribes of American Indians in Virginia and settled, agricultural tribes in other regions of America. They explain how geography and climate influenced the way various Indian tribes lived, and evaluate the impact of...
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Paper Masks/Heads
Middle schoolers examine the processes and beliefs used by different cultures to create works of art. Using the internet, they research the types of arts used by cultures that have been transmitted to future generations. They use...
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Mexico
Pupils complete a unit about the geography and culture of Mexico. They compare and contrast the weather of their own city and Mexico, read books about Mexico, count in Spanish, color in a flag of Mexico and the Mexican Coat of Arms,...
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Teacher Lesson Plans: Africa
Students explore Africa. In this cultural studies instructional activity, students go on safari, create African masks, or have an African party after they have researched the people, geography, and culture of the continent.
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Holidays Around the World
Learners explore different cultures by researching holidays around the world, and comparing/contrasting their own customs to those of others; students then present their findings to the class.
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Exploring the Roots of Modern Dance in America
Young scholars develop an understanding of how African culture impacted modern dance in the United States.
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Artifacts
Pupils examine different artifacts and determine the difference between personal and cultural objects. They collect items from their home of cultural importance as well. They identify all they can from artifacts they are given to analyze.
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Maskmaking
Students examine masks from various cultures focusing on the Native Americans. Using the internet, they research the purpose of the masks and various designs. They create their own mask showing their own culture and personality and...
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My Place In Space
The purpose of this unit is for students to make the rich set of connections between astronomy and the rest of science and technology, language arts, cultural studies (social studies), math, art, and music.
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Jewelry: Then and Now
Fifth graders identify specific works of art as belonging to particular cultures, times, & places, recognize & apply elements of art, learn techniques for working with each material, critique artwork, & discuss how artwork...
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Folktales (African American, Chinese, Japanese and Korean)
High schoolers participate in a variety of activities that are concerned with comparing different cultures through the literary genre of folktales. The stories are used to stimulate student interest and provide a context for how a...
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The Mosaic School
Students complete activities to learn about world cultures. In this multicultural instructional activity, students define the terms diversity, culture, and mosaic. Students research their family's country of origin and complete...
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The Differences Among Us
Students compare cultures. In this writing skills lesson, students collaborate to chart the tradition and cultural beliefs of their classmates. Students use their finding to write comparative essays regarding the similarities and...
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Everything American
Eighth graders complete an American slideshow. In this American culture lesson, 8th graders take digital photographs of things they believe contribute to American culture. They create a slideshow showing these photographs.
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They Put on Masks
Students discover Native American culture by creating masks. In this customs activity, students create their own masks in class from plaster and paint. Students perform a skit in front of their school showcasing their mask making efforts.
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Chinese New Year
Sixth graders examine the culture and celebrations associated with Chinese New Year in this unit of lessons
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From Corn To Tortillas
Students investigate the food known as the tortilla. They research the growth cycle of the corn plant and how tortillas are made from it. The importance of the tortilla according to the Hispanic culture is explained to the students. The...
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Homer's Odyssey:The Original Incredible Journey
Young scholars study Greek culture, particularly as it relates to Homer's Odyssey. They examine how human activities shape the earth's surface and identify forces that influence a culture's beliefs and traditions. They determine that...
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Theatre: Oral Traditions
Students investigate cultural traditions. In this multi-cultural lesson, students discuss various cultures and research their traditions.
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Around the World, A Multicultural Unit
Students investigate Native American tribes through their stories. In this cultural instructional activity, students read stories of the Inuit tribe and discuss the themes, people, and customs. Students illustrate a picture of the...
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Native American Living Museum
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on Native Americans. They analyze Native American cultures, create a Native American artifact for a Living Museum, and develop a tour of the museum using a digital camera and a Powerpoint...