Curated OER
Exploring Community Through Local History: Oral Stories, Landmarks and Traditions
Students explore the history of their local community. In this local history activity, students analyze primary documents to develop an understanding of the local culture and traditions of their local community.
Waunakee Community School District
Identifying Themes in Literature
If your language arts learners have a hard time determining the universal theme of a written work, use a straightforward learning exercise to help them find it. After reviewing a list of common themes, kids note the title, character,...
Curated OER
Social Studies and Reading Integration
Kids take a quiz on the concepts that define community and culture. They answer 10 multiple choice questions regarding family traditions, immigration, Hispanic culture, and community.
Curated OER
Heritage: Petroglyphs and the Stories They Tell
Fourth graders are introduced to the use of petroglyphs as a form of communication by the Native American tribes of the region that is now Utah. They prepare their own original picture stories and then switch with a partner to translate...
Curated OER
Heritage: Patchwork Quilting
Fourth graders read the book "The Quilt Story" and point out likenesses and differences in pioneer and modern times, as well as the importance of the quilt throughout the story. They work as one large group to create their own patchwork...
Curated OER
History on Film: Creating Heritage Moments
Fifth graders examine significant events in fur trade history. In small groups, they conduct research, develop and write a script, and create a videotaped "Heritage Moment."
Curated OER
Celebrate Your Heritage
Students investigate what countries their ancestors originally came from and locate them on a world map. They use a map to plot the ancestral path that has led to their hometown. They create a travel log outlining facts/data about...
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
Under the Lemon Moon
Students become familiar with Hispanic heritage and discuss others using your belongings through the reading of Under the Lemon Moon. In this onatatopeia lesson, student set a purpose for reading, find phrases using onomatopoeia, and...
Curated OER
Creating an Oral History--Who Tells the Story?
Explore the difficulties in compiling an oral history with this lesson. Young researchers conduct interviews and consider how point of view changes various accounts of a single incidence, resulting in conflicting information. They view a...
Film Foundation
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: What Is a Movie?
Watching is not the same as seeing. Transform viewers from passive watchers to active students of film with this 34-page packet, filled with lessons and activities that use Mr. Smith Goes to Washington to examine the technology, the...
Curated OER
The Star Fisher
What a terrific way to discuss racism in the 1920's. Learners read a story called The Star Fisher by Laurence Yep. It is about a Chinese American girl who experiences racism and prejudice after moving from Ohio to West Virginia. Learners...
Curated OER
What’s your Name?
Youngsters work to build empathy, cultural understanding, and a sense of self as they uncover the story behind their own names. They read the book, The Name Jar, discuss immigration and how it feels to be in a new place. Then, they...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
The Tell-Tale Heart
Here's the perfect resource for anyone using Edgar Allan Poe's famous short story the "Tell-Tale Heart." The packet includes five worksheets that provide skills practice exercises focusing on spelling with consonant blends, words with...
The Kennedy Center
Fairy Tale Variations
Here are two great lessons that work together and are inspired by the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods. Young writers and actors will retell the story of "The Frog Prince" through games, improvisational script writing, and song....
Curated OER
The Great Migration
What a terrific activity! Have your class learn about immigration using this resource. Fourth graders discuss the Great Migration in Ohio through art, writing, and discussion. Afterward, they create a presentation in which they tell...
Agriculture’s Lasting Heritage
Apples Around Us
Apple tasting launches an investigation of the story and travels of John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed. After listening to his story, class members craft a summary of the tale, chart his journeys on a map, and sample different...
Curated OER
American Indians Heritage Series: The Tlingit's
Students study the Native American culture of the Tlingits and discuss relevant information regarding their way of life. Students create their own musical Tlingit rattles using toilet paper rolls and rice. They make and decorate their...
Curated OER
"Me and My Family Tree"
Young scholars explore genealogy by reading a family history book in class. In this family tree lesson, students read the story Me and My Family Tree by Joan Sweeney and discuss their own family history. Young scholars identify what the...
Curated OER
Shange's Novel Betsey Brown & Jazz
Students read a work of fiction and investigate literary values and structure of the work. They demonstrate understanding of the family values, cultural and historical context of the novel;
Curated OER
From Object To Story
Students engage in a study that focuses upon the study of artifacts for the purpose of defining the heritage of family. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The information is used in order to create a personal family...
Curated OER
The Magical World of Russian Fairy Tales
Students read several fairy tales of Russian origin. They brainstorm common elements of a fairy tale and identify those elements in several examples. They retell a favorite fairy tale through a skit, oral storytelling, a sketch, or a...
John F. Kennedy Center
Folktale Theatre
Introduce your middle schoolers to a performance and movement activity that uses their favorite stories from fairytales and folklore. They practice basic acting skills, create dialogues with a partner, and then as guided practice,...
Curated OER
Storytelling In America
Students discuss how Washington Irving is considered an important 19th century-American storyteller. They create their own version of a passage from 'The Legend' after listening to the story.