Digital Public Library of America
Teaching Guide: Exploring Little Women
Louisa May Alcott's Little Women is a literary masterpiece as well as a timestamp of the formative mid-nineteenth century in America. Using a primary source set of photographs, letters, and portraits, readers discuss the ways...
Curated OER
Objects Then and Now
What ancient Roman objects perform the same tasks as modern objects? In this activity, students are asked to identify 5 illustrations of Roman objects. Students are then prompted to compare these objects with the functions of 5 modern...
Social Studies Coalition of Delaware
Urban Mouse Rural Mouse
Explore rural and urban environments over the course of four days. Each day offers a new look into how both environment compare and contrast. Activities include the observation and analyzation of images, a read aloud and grand discussion...
ProCon
Minimum Wage
The first ever minimum wage in America was set at 25 cents per hour in 1938 and has been steadily, if slowly, increasing ever since. Using the provided website, pupils decide if the United States should further increase the federal...
Curated OER
Region Reality
Eighth graders compare and contrast world regions and explore the theme of world regions. In this world geography lesson, 8th graders name regions in the U.S. and mark them on a map. Students discuss the cultural and physical...
Curated OER
Introduction to Primary Sources
Students explore the usage of primary sources, what they are and how they originate. Artifacts are compared and contrasted as part of this historical inquiry as questions are formulated and conclusions drawn.
Curated OER
Water: From Neglect to Respect
The goal of this collection of lessons is to make middle schoolers more aware of the ways in which they are dependent upon water to maintain their standard of living. Learners compare water use in Lesotho to water use in the United...
Channel Islands Film
Cache: Lesson Plan 2 - Grades 4-6
Class members will dig this activity that has them trying their hand at recovering artifacts. Groups are assigned a section of a sandbox, carefully uncover the artifacts in their section, and then develop theories about who might...
Curated OER
What's Mongolia Really Like?
Students discover the people of Mongolia. In this social studies lesson plan, students look at the Mongolian nomadic culture by reading a letter written by a member of the Peace Corps. They describe the different types of communities...
Cultures of Dignity
Equity and Equality Lesson
Equality does not equal equity and this lesson explains why. Class members compare two images--one labeled "Equality" and the other "Equity." Using the provided discussion questions, they then develop definitions that distinguish between...
Curated OER
Science Fair With An Energy Efficiency Flair
In order to learn more about energy conservation, pupils work to promote energy efficiency by participating in a school-wide science fair with an emphasis on energy conservation. In addition to displaying their projects, learners invite...
Curated OER
Cultural Awareness/ Sharing Traditions
Students discuss topics relating to how their families celebrate holidays and observe certain religious customs. In this cultural awareness lesson, students work in groups to share their cultural traditions, the list similarities and...
Curated OER
Comparing Edible Communities
Students explore the components of a community by creating analogies between aspects of a community and ingredients within a recipe. They view and discuss pictures, write analogies, and generate a product from a recipe.
Visa
Road Rules: Researching and Buying a Car
How do the loan principal, interest rate, and term all factor into a monthly car payment? Introduce your class to some of the key steps and considerations of obtaining a loan and purchasing a car.
Curated OER
Measuring Up on the Mayflower
Second graders use a meter tape to compare the length of the Mayflower to a basketball court and make homemade butter for crackers. Afterward, all students sit inside the makeshift Mayflower's dimensions and enjoy their Pilgrim butter.
Curated OER
History In the House
Students analyze primary sources. In this historical analysis activity, students will closely examine the household objects that most impact their lives. Students will use research, analysis, and class discussion to draw parallels...
Curated OER
What is the Evidence for Evolution?
Students identify one object that would tell the story of their lives. In groups, they determine what can and cannot be told from objects left behind. After watching a video, they compare and contrast chicken bones to human bones. To...
Curated OER
Trade and Travel Along the Silk Road
Students examine the religions that developed along the Silk Road. In this compare and contrast lesson, students visit various stations within the classroom to learn about the Silk Road and the two religions that developed. Using a...
Curated OER
Sky Watchers: Ancient Astronomers
Students close their eyes and picture the sky. They are asked to brainstorm things they may see in the course of a night and day, such as the movement of the sun, moon, and stars. Students work in groups to coduct their research. They...
Curated OER
International Festival: Venezuela
Students become familiar with the Venezuelan culture and geography. In this Venezuelan Festival lesson, students compare and contrast themselves to the people of Venezuela. Students participate in activities to understand the...
Curated OER
"Julie of the Wolves"
Fifth graders research life in Alaska and compare life there to their lives in this lesson plan. They read "Julie of the Wolves." They research through the novel and other reference books facts about the Alaskan climate and geography. ...
Curated OER
Life in the Arkansas Territory
Students compare the living conditions in Arkansas when it was a territory with contemporary times. They participate in a role play activities of the territorial times.
Curated OER
Landmarks Over Time
Middle schoolers compare/contrast bird's-eye views of Texas cities in the 1800s to those in the 2000s through the identification of landmarks. They write a summary of how one selected city has changed over time.
Curated OER
Show Me a Flowerpot
Students compare and contrast handmade and machine-made products in a study about the evolution of production processes in American history. In this production history lesson, students explore a flowerpot in depth. Students make their...