California Academy of Science
Guess That Spice
From medical treatments to cooking, people have been using herbs and spices for thousands of years. Perform a blind smell test of household herbs and spices to engage students in learning about ancient spice trading. Research the history...
Curated OER
The History of Life on Earth
Using meters as years, your class works together to map out the geologic time scale on a football field. Plenty of background information is included in this lesson plan as well as several resource links and a student worksheet. Your...
University of Pennsylvania
Canaan and Ancient Israel
Planning for your next activity on ancient Israel, but not sure where to start? Check out this assortment of activities to help get the ball rolling. It includes a range of ideas on topics, such as Greek and Egyptian mythology,...
Curated OER
Life in Ancient Ghana, Mali, and Songhai
Learners study the ancient African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. They brainstorm what they know about ancient African kingdoms before investigating the trade and barter situations, and researching one of the kingdoms for an oral...
American Museum of Natural History
The Ancient City of Petra
Anyone who has seen Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade will recognize the entrance to the Nabataean city of Petra. Young archaeologists don't need horses or camels to travel through the Sig and tour this fascinating city, however. With...
Curated OER
Let's Spice It With Pepper
Students identify and locate the areas in which pepper and spices orginated. On a map, they locate the areas and write the name of the spice that is found there. They use historical events to trace its route to the Americas. They...
Curated OER
Spice It Up!
Students analyze visual artifacts from Asian descent and follow the path of famous explorers on the Silk Road. In this Asian artifacts lesson plan, students use their senses to explore and grind spices using a mortar and pestle.
Curated OER
Latinos Spice Up Melting Pot
Students investigate the history of early Hispanic workers in the U.S. They complete an online Webquest, explore various websites, read about Latinos in the U.S. today, view a mural, and answer discussion questions.
Curated OER
What Is the History of the Consumption of Rice?
Sixth graders research the history of rice consumption. In this rice consumption lesson, 6th graders read a study guide and answer comprehension questions about two rice dishes and rice cultivation.
Curated OER
How To Make an Apple Pie and See the World
Young scholars have a class discussion on how the variety of foods we use on a daily basis come from all over the world. They identify foods that they are familiar with that come from other places.
Teacher Printables
Decorated Lined Paper
Spice up the writing process with some fun stationery! This particular page, which features a UFO, can inspire your pupils as they write science fiction. See the materials for more designs. You'll find everything from pirates to fairies...
Curated OER
Monsoon Winds to the "Land of Gold"
Students recognize environmental factors that influenced maritime trade routes and the establishment of major trading centers in classical times. They evaluate perceptions of the ancient world through ancient maps and primary source...
Curated OER
Ancient Mediterranean Lands: Rome
Seventh graders research ancient Roman civilizations, trade routes, aqueducts, and agriculture. In this Ancient Rome lesson, 7th graders view a picture of the Roman Aqueduct Pont du Gard and discuss its use in ancient Rome. Students read...
Curated OER
Silk Road Assessment
In this ancient trade routes worksheet, students respond to 10 multiple choice questions and 1 essay question about the Silk Road and its significance.
Curated OER
An Age of Exploration
Students investigate U.S. history by examining North American timelines. In this American exploration instructional activity, students research the events that led to Columbus finding America and participate in a jeopardy game regarding...
American Evolution
Virginia Runaway Slave Ads
What does an ad reveal about a culture, or about the values of its intended audience? Class members examine a series of runaway slave ads—one of which was written by Thomas Jefferson—and consider what these primary source documents...
Curated OER
Causation-Exploration and World Trade
Students investigate spice trade. In this world history instructional activity, students identify various spices in jars and their places of origin. Students listen to a lecture on how spices came to countries in Europe. Students...
Curated OER
Priceless Gifts
Third graders read about Italy and the complete activities that investigate the spice trade. In this spice trade lesson plan, 3rd graders analyze characters, write a thank you note, speak Italian, and complete language activities.
Curated OER
Oral History: Interviewing Elders
Sixth graders examine oral history traditions. They interview family members about their childhoods and compare them to their own. Students use the collected information to make posters, letters, essays, or poems about their research.
Curated OER
Aston Hall - Story About the Kitchen
In this history and writing learning exercise, students pretend they are a scullion or a maid in the kitchen at Aston Hall. They then write a story about the kitchen on the day the king came to visit.
Curated OER
Break the Code: Anthropology Terms
Spice up your study of basic anthropology terms using this decoding worksheet. Using a provided code, learners answer 10 fill-in-the-blank questions. Because the code is very simple, more advanced pupils may enjoy the challenge of...
Curated OER
Food In The Tudor Period
In this Tudor period worksheet, students read a detailed information sheet about the common foods and typical diet of the people in the Tudor era. There are no questions.
Curated OER
Colonies and Revolution: Comparing US and Mexican History
Students examine the emergence of the United States and Mexico as independent nations. They compare the colonial history of the two countries and discover the emergence of social classes.
Curated OER
'European Exploration, Conquest, and Trade
Fifth graders examine the motives, progress and results of the European exploration and conquest of Asia, Africa and the West Indies from the 15th to the 17th centuries. They use maps to trace spice routes and research the role of spices...