Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Egyptian Civilization

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explore facets of ancient Egyptian life. In this lesson on ancient civilizations, 5th graders find the location of ancient Egyptian nations on a world map and describe the climate and features. They explain how post...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ancient World

For Teachers K - 8th
Students explore the concept of migration. In this ancient civilizations lesson, students watch "The Ancient World" and research life in the Fertile Crescent. Students then write letters from the perspective of people migrating from...
Lesson Plan
Agriculture in the Classroom

Understanding the Columbian Exchange Through Old World and New World Foods

For Teachers 7th - 10th
If you're interested in teaching your class about the impact of the Columbian Exchange on contemporary society, this is worth a look. The plan begins with an introduction to the topic, which stems from a cell phone poll...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Culture Clash: New World Meets Old

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the history of Christopher Columbus.  In this World History lesson, 6th graders research facts about Christopher Columbus.  Students write their own opinion about Columbus's background focusing on three...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civilization Pie

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Learners define civilization as it was in ancient times.  In this world history lesson, students work in small groups to write a recipe that has all the combined ingredients of early civilized societies and share their results with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Decoding the First Alphabets: Not as Simple as A, B, C

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Explore early writing systems and their significance in understanding the development of past civilizations. In groups, learners research early writing systems and then present their findings to the rest of the class. They teach their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Humans

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders read about the different types of Humanoid. They examine the different cultural beliefs and their own personal beliefs about evolution. They research the species using the scientific theory about evolution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Elements of Civilization

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers create their own ancient civilizations based off of topographical maps of Egypt, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and the Yellow River. In this social studies lesson, students are assigned one topographical map to use to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Importance of Rivers in the Development of Early Civilizations Importance of Rivers in the Development of Early Civilizations

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the role of rivers in the construction of early civilizations. For this importance of rivers lesson, 6th graders listen to a poem written by Langston Hughes and work cooperatively to develop a graphic organizer to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ancient Mediterranean Lands: A Timeline of Mediterranean Civilizations

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore world history by participating in a class agriculture activity. In this wheat weaving lesson, 6th graders identify the different Mediterranean regions that adopted early agriculture methods and expanded their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Poverty Point Earthworks: Louisiana's Ancient Inhabitants

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners research the prehistoric earthworks site at Poverty Point, Louisiana. They compare the Louisiana artifacts and structure to the remains and knowledge of other ancient cultures. They present their research to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Create a Travel Brochure

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students demonstrate an understanding of the contributions of the Ancient Roman civilization. They identify, study, and provide evidence for the significance of Roman citizenship and the spread of Christianity. Students then demonstrate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Secrets of the Parthenon

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students take a closer look at the Parthenon. In this world monument lesson plan, students watch PBS video segments about the reconstruction of the Parthenon in Greece. Students research how the ancient Greeks built the structure and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Travel Agent to the Ancient World

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students persuade others to visit ancient times. For this ancient civilizations lesson, students participate in a webquest that requires them to encourage others to visit ancient Greece, ancient Israel, Ancient Rome, ancient China,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Studies of the Ancient World

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders, after taking a pretest, write a paragraph describing the difference between Athens and Sparta and write an article about the ancient Phoenicians, describing their contributions to world history. They compare democracy in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Empires of Early Africa

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders examine the Nile's role in the birth and growth of Egyptian civilization.  In this World History lesson, 9th graders explore how archaeologists have learned about life in Ancient cities.  Students present a report...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography and World History

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students build off of their current knowledge of geography and world history, while being introduced to new concepts and ideas.
Lesson Plan
Global Oneness Project

Architectural Wonders

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Cambodia, is the focus of a lesson that asks class members to consider factors that could result in the destruction of these archeological treasures. Pupils listen to a...
Lesson Plan
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

The First Communities

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
These documents list essential questions and foundational concepts associated with early civilizations and farming communities in the agricultural revolution. Use this as a starting point for developing specific lessons and activities...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microbes & History: Microbial influence on the spread of Civilization

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students explore how to extract plant fibers from the flax plant Linum usitatissimum in the process of making linen fibers. Doing so spark interest in the importance of microbial action on the spread of human culture and civilization.
Lesson Plan
Facing History and Ourselves

Raphael Lemkin: Identifying Lemkin's Outrage

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine World War I war crimes. In this world history lesson plan, students use primary and secondary sources to research Armenian genocide and the trial of Soghomon Tehlirin.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Woodblock Printing: Early Printing Traditions in China

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Pupils examine important role of woodblock printing in Chinese history, identify message important to them, and create woodblock prints to gain first-hand understanding of how it was used as tool for communication.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Visual Arts:Literature and World Civilization

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine the art of the Middle Ages or Medieval time period through the activities in this unit.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Teaching Spanish Heritage in the Context of the Ancient Mediterranean

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and interpret Spanish heritage, including the Mediterranean culture, language, history, trade, and migration. Following, they began an in-depth study of Egypt, the Middle East, Greece, and Rome and were able to make...