Curated OER
I Dream of Genome
High school learners identify chemical and structural properties of DNA and explain the differences between genotype and phenotype. They develop a scientific investigation to determine the ethnic heritage of a large group of people.
Diane Venzera
Kwanzaa Celebration: Celebrating Family, Community, and Culture
Kwanzaa is the focus of a three-part lesson plan that celebrates the history and traditions of the holiday. Before lighting the Kinara, scholars listen to a read-aloud of Seven Candles of Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Learners express...
Curated OER
Giving Thanks: A Haudenosaunee Message of Thanksgiving
A discussion of thankfulness opens a lesson followed by a read-aloud of the "Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address Greetings to the Natural World." Scholars answer questions and write down what they are thankful for in their home or...
Curated OER
In Country: An Integrated Look at the Vietnam War
High schoolers explore aspects of the Vietnam War and how it relates to the heritage of America. In an attempt to understand the level of involvement, students analyze statistics from the Vietnam war. High schoolers watch a video, read a...
Curated OER
The African Burial Ground
Fourth graders analyze findings at African burial grounds. In this research skills lesson, 4th graders research Internet and print sources regarding African American heritage. Students discuss their findings.
Curated OER
Settlers: Creating Family Trees & Historical Plays
Students discuss who the founding members of their community were. In this community family tree lesson plan, students learn how to read a family tree and discuss information about the founding families of their community.
Curated OER
CULTURES OF OUR NATION
Students explore their own culture and the culture of their classmates.
Curated OER
The Chicano Movement in California - Culture, Causes, and Community
Pupils explore the culture and community of the Chicano movement in California using prints that emerged from the Chicano movement. The historical, binational, and bicultural components are examined in this three lessons unit.
Curated OER
African American Community and Culture
Eighth graders explore the community of enslaved African Americans. In this American History instructional activity, 8th graders evaluate the importance of cultural expression in the black community. Students study the contributions...
Curated OER
Azùcar!
Students engage in a instructional activity which honors the Latino community as part of Thirteen/WNET's annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. They utilize worksheets and access websites imbedded in this plan which guide their...
Curated OER
Historic Wilkes County
Third graders visit their local historic buildings. In this local history lesson, 3rd graders take a trip to their local Heritage Museum and visit a historic building. While on the trip students take pictures. Students then create a...
Curated OER
Dia de la Independencia
Students learn about Mexican Independence Day. In this Hispanic Heritage lesson, students learn about holidays in Hispanic countries specifically looking at their days of independence. Students read information about fiestas that occur...
Curated OER
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Pupils explore Spanish speaking countries. In this multi-cultural literacy activity, students research a country in which Spanish is the official language, and create a related travel brochure on the computer.
Curated OER
Folk Groups and Community Folklife
Students explore folk groups and traditions in their local community. In this folklife lesson, students list the folk groups they belong to and its traditions. Students write about their favorite tradition and may complete extension...
Curated OER
Heritage: Line Dance is a Pattern!
Line dancing is the repeating of a pattern of steps, done to music. Teach youngsters how to line dance and they won't feel so awkward when they grow up. Let them experiment with creating their own patterns and teaching their classmates....
Curated OER
Heritage: What Would You Take?
Fifth graders explore their own definitions of valuable, and decide what they would choose to take with them if they could only take one item. They define the reasons their items are valuable to them.
Curated OER
Black Separatism or the Beloved Community? Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this African American history lesson, students compare and contrast the tactics employed by Malcolm X and Martin Luther King,...
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "When Giving Is All We Have" by Alberto Ríos
What makes giving meaningful? Class members discuss this question, then listen to Alberto Rios reading his poem, "When Giving Is All We Have." Finally, the class considers what the poet says about the question.
Academy of American Poets
Incredible Bridges: “Translation for Mamá” by Richard Blanco
Who or what do you miss? That's the question that launches an activity that asks writers to craft a paragraph filled with sensory details that shows how they feel. Next, they listen to Richard Blanco reading his poem, "Translation for...
Curated OER
Arkansas Festivals of the Land
Middle Schoolers research Arkansas community festivals which are tied to the landscape. They create brochures that reflect the festival from a geographical and historical perspective and share them with the class. This ambitious and...
Curated OER
The Family: Louisiana Family Folklore
Every family has a different story to share. Your learning community examines the checklist that applies to the lesson, share some of the teacher's family photos, and look for clues in their own family photos in order to complete a...
Curated OER
Celebrate Kwanzaa in the United States
Explore the components of the African American celebration of Kwanzaa in the United States. Complete with learning objectives, a materials and preparation list, and eight days of lesson plans, the resource incorporates the principles of...
Smithsonian Institution
Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon
How do barns serve as a window to a community's past? Here are a series of lessons on the symbolism and historical context of barns throughout American history. Topics include community-building, in-depth primary and secondary source...
Curated OER
Be a Building Detective!
Students participate in an in-depth study of a historic building in their community. They conduct a visual survey of the building, complete a worksheet, take a rubbing of the building, and research the history of the building.