Curated OER
Something From Nothing
Students listen to story Joseph Had A Little Overcoat to explore people from another culture and how one item can be used to make other items; students use scraps of fabric and other knickknacks to create pictures or toys.
Curated OER
The Harlem Renaissance
Students, after researching/analyzing the movement "Harlem Renaissance" and Africa as well as reading literature from that time period, create lists of the major characteristics of the movement and its important writers. They bridge the...
Curated OER
Comparing and Contrasting Heroes
Students identify the characteristics that make someone a hero. They also examine the values of all heroes.
Curated OER
Women Writers and Dissent in 20th and 21st Century American Literature
Tenth graders read examples of writings by women authors showing their dissent. After completion of their reading, they brainstorm on why they believe female authors have criticized society. In groups, they use the Internet to research...
Curated OER
The Sahara: Home of the Tuareg
Learners research and analyze the Tuareg and other groups as well, including their own, and examine the impact culture has on environment.
Curated OER
A History of Journal Writing
Students articulate their prior knowledge concerning the purposes of journal writing. They explore what function journal writing has fulfilled for various cultures and peoples. Students read and analyze various journal entries by famous...
Curated OER
The Dangers of Illiteracy
Students consider a fictional situation in which literacy could spell the difference between life and death. They apply their knowledge of how reading empowers people by creating a literacy program that addresses the special needs of a...
Curated OER
The Insights of American Blacks During the 19th and 20th Centuries in New Haven, Connecticut
Students examine the contributions of African Americans in New Haven, Connecticut in the 19th and 20th centuries. After being introduced to new vocabulary, they review the elements of autobiographies and read excerpts of African...
Curated OER
A South African Storm
Students read a letter titled "A South African Storm" on her experiences of discrimination in the country. Individually or as a class, they answer questions about the author's purpose in writing the piece was and how she made herself...
Curated OER
Using Effective, Evocative Writing as a Model
Students analyze the author's style to learn techniques for strengthening their own writing. They re-read "Music in the Fields" and highlight images that create vivid pictures in their minds-places where Young "shows, not tells" and...
Curated OER
Walking Down Main Street: The Changing Times of a Railroad Town
Students explore the historic district via a scavenger hunt. In this community history lesson, students complete a scavenger hunt using historic postcards and clues as guides. Students create a timeline demonstrating changes of the area...
Curated OER
People in History- Anne Frank
Students examine discrimination and what it was like during WWII and today. In this writing and analyzing lesson plan, students read pasages from Anne Frank's diary and find connections between Anne's life and the life of people in our...
Curated OER
Who are My Sisters and Brothers?
Students explore religion by completing a cultural diversity activity. In this human compassion lesson, students identify all of "God's Children" as their sisters and brothers. Students read the book Frederick in class and listen to...
Curated OER
Looking for Love? Not Always! Exploring Human Relationships
Students research psychology by examining real life situations. In this human relationships instructional activity, students discuss the importance of respect among two people in a romantic relationship. Students examine images of people...
Curated OER
We the People (Cultural Research)
Fourth graders conduct cultural research, collect oral histories using tape recorders and cameras, and share their ancestral heritage with classmates through family heirlooms and ethnic foods.
Curated OER
Readers' Theatre with African and Chinese Folktales
Students investigate genre of folklore, specifically African and Chinese folktales, and script and perform folktales with examples from The Magic Brocade and Fire on the Mountain. Seven lessons on one page.
Curated OER
Heartfelt/Handmade Activities: Genre Painting
Students examine genre painting. They explore the Illinois State Museum website, identify how genre paintings were composed, analyze the activities of an Illinois farm in the 1850s, and create a genre painting of current everyday...
Curated OER
Faberge Easter Egg
Students examine the Russian culture under the Czars and how there was a demand for intricate and beautiful objects. They attempt to create a "jewel-like" object out of an egg using a Spring template supplied by the teacher.
Curated OER
Disease and Culture through Literary Time
Young scholars select books to read that include disease as a plot or theme component. They fill out a matrix for the disease in their novel and write a five-paragraph paper about their book. Students use the rest of the week's...
Curated OER
Using Walt Whitman¿¿¿s Poem ¿¿¿Leaves of Grass¿¿¿ And Takamri¿¿¿s Girl And Boy As Inspiration for Writing a Celebration of Self
Learners read and analyze Walt Whitman's poem, "Leaves of Grass." They compare/contrast Whitman's style to artist Takamori's style, and write an original poem about their childhood and fond memories.
Curated OER
Rediscovering Children's Literature
Students, while analyzing children's literature works as a vehicle for a multitude of insights, practice analytical reading and writing scenarios about older adults. In retrospect, they read books aloud to young children as well as write...
Curated OER
Cajun Music: the Voice of the Cajun Family
Students use the Cajuns and their music to engage an interest in and study French. They examine the Cajuns, their customs, work, leisure time, food, and how their music unites them as an ethnic group, with emphasis on the family.
Curated OER
Personal Heritage
Fourth graders investigate their personal heritage. In this personal heritage lesson, 4th graders fill in an outline with information about their personal heritage. They create a poster about themselves. This lesson is aimed at diversity...
Curated OER
All About Me
Students create a collage from magazines, and the internet that is reflective of themselves and write a friendly letter via email to a pen pal. They take their letters through the writing process and write their final draft on Microsoft...