US House of Representatives
Traditionalist, Feminist, and the New Face of Women in Congress, 1955–1976
As part of a study of women in Congress, class members read the contextual essay, "A Changing of the Guard; Traditionalist, Feminist, and the New Face of Women in Congress, 1955–1976." Groups then research a woman serving during this...
Council for Economic Education
How Neolithic Farmers Increased Their Standard of Living
How do people improve their economic situations? While many learners may not consider questions about how many crops to grow in ancient times were economic decisions, a hands-on activity encourages individuals to make these connections....
Turabian Teacher Collaborative
Introductions: Formulating Problem Statements
Describing a problem efficiently doesn't solve it, but a well-crafted argument can move readers to action. High schoolers focus on structuring problem statements by reading examples of strong essays and working in groups to create their...
US House of Representatives
Congresswomen in an Age of National Crises, 1935–1954
Class members investigate congresswomen and the role these senators and representatives played in congress during the period from 1935–1954.
Syracuse University
Women's Suffrage Movement
Women gained the right to vote in the twentieth century, but the fight for equality dates back centuries. Using an invitation to an 1874 suffrage convention, eager historians consider the motivations behind supporters of the suffrage...
University of California
The Cold War (America)
The Cold War—with its roots in World War II—impacts the world today. Using an extensive curriculum, scholars consider its impact through primary sources, including speeches and propaganda, as well as other skills-enhancing activities. An...
Curated OER
Lesson: More than Brushing my Teeth
Humor can often be found in everyday life. Young analysts critically examine a sculpture and apply what they discuss to their own life experiences. They perform skits of daily activities, such as brushing their teeth. Next, they make a...
Curated OER
"Uncle Sam's Got Himself in a Terrible Jam": Protest Music and the Vietnam War
"And it's one, two, three...what are we fighting for?" Use music to assess the climate of protest during the Vietnam War, listening to and analyzing Country Joe MacDonald's "I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag" (lyrics included)....
K20 LEARN
But What About Me?: Teaching Perspective In The Social Studies Classroom
How would the story of the discovery of America be different if indigenous people told it through their eyes? Individuals compare the conventional account of this moment in history to an account given by one of the native peoples. After...
Curated OER
Seeing Art in Historical Context: An Activity to Promote Visual Literacy
Students consider works of art in their historical context. In this art in historical context lesson, students are encouraged to think about and record their prior knowledge of the historical period and to make inferences about the...
Curated OER
Activity 1 Up, Up, and Away: Building a Hot Air Balloon
Middle schoolers investigate the question: "How does a hot air balloon work?" They build small hot air balloons ans then lauch them. Students discuss how they think a hot air balloon floats. Pupils are introduced to the use of models...
Curated OER
Real Life Situations
Pupils investigate different equations and think critically how they could represent a real-life situation. They should write a word problem to coincide with the given equations. The lesson requires students to use critical thinking skills.
Curated OER
HIV Prevention
Seventh graders engage in critical thinking skills about personal health and safety to prevent the acquiring of the HIV disease. The project is an extension of this thinking designed for students to think about all the different ways...
Curated OER
The Pythagorean Theorem Lesson 2
Learners discuss and review examples of the Pythagorean Theorem using a GSP, Geometer's Sketchpad, activity.
Curated OER
Reading Miss Lady Bird's Wildflowers
Students discover the impact "Lady Bird" Johnson had on America by reading a short biography. In this historical persons lesson, students read a multi page biography of the former first lady and write a summary of her life's work....
Curated OER
The Emancipation Proclamation: Unfulfilled Promises
Young scholars perform research into the Emancipation Proclaimation. The document will aid learners in understanding the history and culture of the time of writing. Finally critical thinking skills are used to formulate contextual meaning.
Curated OER
Take a Stand!
Here is a four-corner debate-style activity specifically geared to election year issues. Learners group themselves according to whether they strongly agree, agree, disagree, or strongly disagree with statements that relate to elections...
Curated OER
Comparing and Contrasting
Analyze historical biographies. Young scholars compare and contrast the biographies of Susan B. Anthony and Pat Nixon. They construct graphic organizers, answer critical thinking questions, complete a formative assessment.
Curated OER
Series or Parallel?
Physics classes that are studying electricity connect photovoltaic cells into both series and parallel circuits. Inquiry and critical thinking come into play as learners try to determine which circuit is more productive. They associate...
New York City Department of Education
Project Based Learning
After reviewing the information included in this resource, you will be an expert in both the definition of project-based learning and how to implement it with your class. Discover and explore thorough explanations, detailed examples, and...
Curated OER
Digital Values: Internet Safety
Students explore digital communication by participating in a critical thinking activity. For this Internet safety lesson, students discuss ways to protect their identity on the Internet as well as preserving friendships. Students...
Pennsylvania Department of Education
Problem-Solving
Students help solve real-life classroom problems. In this problem solving activity, the class sits down as a whole and discusses possible solutions to real problems that they face as a class.
Curated OER
Positive and Negative Angles and Arcs
To better understand that the intersection point of two lines lies inside a circle, learners use their keen measurement skills. They discuss arcs, rays, tangent lines, and reflex angles. Then, they put their skills to work as they...
Curated OER
Healthy Lifestyles
Students navigate MS Publisher to create a publication about a healthy lifestyle. In this healthy lifestyle lesson, students participate in activities to learn to eat right, to be fit and to create a publication based on what they...