Curated OER
Breaking Free From Conformity
High schoolers reflect upon how Transcendentalism focuses on individualism. From their belief that God was within every person to their steadfast belief that every man should make decisions based on personal moral values, individualism...
Advocates for Human Rights
Human Rights Defined
Class members continue their investigation of the factors that influence migration with a lesson on human rights. As they examine the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and selected US Constitutional Amendments, learners compare the...
Curated OER
Breaking Free From Conformity: A study in modern day Transcendentalism
Students begin with a journal entry on the topic "Why does Ralph Waldo Emerson advocate self-reliance?" They listen to Gavin Degraw's "I Want to Be." Students write their interpretation of the song. Students write an essay about Liars...
Curated OER
The Life of Harriet Tubman
A well-designed lesson teaches about the history of Harriet Tubman, the Underground Railroad, and the issues of civil liberties. Young historians watch a video, access Internet resources, and engage in cooperative activities which should...
Curated OER
Biomes: Land of the Inuit
Students study Inuit and their ancestors. In this biomes lesson students study the relationship between the Inuit and their environment and create a class art gallery.
Curated OER
Buddhism And The Dalai Lama
Students examine Buddhism and the role of the Dalai Lama. In this world religions lesson, students research the history and teachings of the Dalai Lama. Students discuss how to apply the Dalai Lama's teaching to teen dilemmas.
Curated OER
The Emancipation Proclamation
Middle schoolers read one of the most important documents in our nation's history: The Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. After everyone reads the proclamation, they set out to write a "You Were There" type of report on it. They pretend...
Curated OER
Movement and Music: An Introduction to Slavery
Students create a slavery timeline. They identify key leaders in the anti-slavery movement. Students are asked what they can recall about slavery. They review the following vocabulary words slavery, spirituals, abolitionists, and...
Curated OER
Machiavelli's The Prince
High schoolers compare and contrast their concepts of leadership with Machiavelli's, as outlines in The Prince. For this literature lesson, students identify positions that call for leadership and brainstorm qualities necessary for such...
American Documentary
Comparative Religion Investigation: What Happens When We Die?
How do different religions offer explanations for what happens when we die? Invite your learners to consider the variance and complexity of religious beliefs, and to research and compare/contrast the concept of death and afterlife...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Islam: A Bottom-Up Approach
Islam is often discussed socio-politically rather than spiritually. Here, students read about this religion from primary and secondary sources including the Quran and a world religions book. They learn key terms in the context of the...
Curated OER
African-American History and Culture in the English Classroom
Ninth graders identify and recognize characteristics of nonfiction in literary works, explore language and culture of Gullah people, compare and contrast purposes of spirituals and quilts in terms of their relationships to escape from...
Curated OER
Harriet Tubman
Students sing the song "Harriet Tubman" by Walter Robinson. In this African-American history instructional activity, students review code words that were used during the slave trade and listen to the song "Harriet Tubman". Students...
Curated OER
Runaway Slaves
Students examine struggles for freedom. In this Underground Railroad lesson, students listen to "Follow the Drinking Gourd" and "Freedom" to lead them into a discussion regarding freedoms . Students watch the video "The Freedom Station"...
Curated OER
Stylistic Aspects of Spiritual Singing
Students sight-read a piece of music and analyze two unfamiliar pieces of music. They discuss performance aspects of a piece of music.
Curated OER
What Can We Do to Help End Hunger?
Young scholars use the internet to research people who have made a difference in the fight against poverty and hunger. In groups, they discuss the actions they can take in their community to help those in need. They are also introduced...
Curated OER
The Old North Trail
Students engage in a lesson to find information about the old trails of North America that were used by Native Americans. Specifically, they conduct research to find the history of The Old North Trail. The teacher shares several theories...
Curated OER
Carter as President and Ex-President
Students examine how Presidents are judged during their time in office as well as afterwards. They conduct and Internet search for Jimmy Carter's inaugural address and write a news story about his address. Once they have written an...
Curated OER
Writer's Block: Key Questions To Ask Before Composing
Students engage in a lesson that presents strategies to overcome the hurdles that discourage writers under pressure. They develop a paragraph of narrative text in response to a quote, motto or poem.
Curated OER
History of World Religions
First graders listen to a variety of Noah's Ark, based on the story in the Old Testament. They hear another "flood story" for comparison.
Curated OER
What Can We Do to Help End Hunger?
Students explore the problem of hunger and malnutrition. After discussing heroes, students select and describe those who worked against poverty or hunger to make a positive difference. An opportunity is given for students to participate...
Oregon Education Professional Development Commission
The First Days
Designed for first-year teachers, this 116-page packet has it all. Questions you should ask administrators and fellow teachers, a checklist of things to do before school starts, a school-year calendar to record special school events and...