Curated OER
Jazz's Beginnings
High schoolers examine jazz's roots and their hybridization in New Orleans in the early 20th century. They listen to ragtime and jazz recordings, then complete worksheets imbedded in this plan.
Curated OER
Human Rights And Refugees: The Right To Asylum
Young scholars read the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, define asylum and identify when people have the right to asylum. They examine specific cases of asylum in recent times and consider some of the difficulties refugees face.
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Kill the Indian, Save the Man!
Students investigate primary sources from Carlisle Indian School including letters and photographs. In this investigative lesson students answer questions about their research.
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Slavery and Empire 1440 - 1770
Students reflect on the events that led up to slavery in the early years of North America. In this United States History instructional activity, students read excerpts from the book "Out of Many," then gather in small groups to...
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Lena Horne: Race and the American Artist
Students examine how race played a critical role in Lena Horne's life. They conduct Internet research, participate in a class debate, write a letter, and create a presentation based on their Internet research.
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Black Actors in American Cinema
Young scholars examine the contributions of a few African American actors. After watching different films, they work together to recreate the film and the struggles faced by the actors. In groups, they compare and contrast the acting...
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An Analysis of Jim Crow Laws and their Effects on Race Relations
First graders analyze the role of the Jim Crow laws on race relations. As a class, they are segregated based on the color shirt they have or some other simple criteria and wear either a square or circle sticker representing the majority...
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The Power of Protest
Young scholars explain how Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man. They discuss how her actions were heroic and how they affected the civil rights movement. They reflect on the lesson in journal entries.
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Lincoln, the Great Emancipator?
Young scholars examine the motivating factors that prompted Lincoln to draft the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. They examine Lincoln's social and political beliefs, particularly as they pertained to slavery and race in the United...
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And Justice for All?
Pupils explore the history of the environmental justice movement. They examine how discrimination promotes environmental illness in low income communities. Students explain why minority and low income groups have less economic and...
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The Battleground: Separate and Unequal Education
Learners examine the purpose and goals of education in African American society. They analyze photos, answer discussion questions, and participate in a class discussion.
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Langston Hughes: Voice Among Voices
Young scholars study Langston Hughes's poetry, short stories, and his first autobiography. They read and appreciate the candid, honest and powerful creative masterpieces of this black genius and discuss the numerous universal themes...
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The Impact of the Music of the Harlem Renaissance on Society
Pupils define the community of Harlem. They explain the growth of music in this area and identify important people who spearheaded this movement. They identify places where music grew in Harlem and establish a visual as well as an...
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From Remus to Rap: A History in Theory and Practice of the African-American Storytelling Tradition
Students examine the specific form and function of tall tales and toasts.
They discover the importance of performance in the telling of a story and the importance of rhythm in the telling of toasts. They create stories of their own, in...
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In Search of Rights
Seventh graders research Supreme Court cases. They formally debate court rulings, write a scenario portraying a possible futuristic America and participate in a field practicum for media production, while evaluating various social,...
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Lesson Plan on Tolerance
Young scholars, through discussion, internet and video resources, study the history of Northern Ireland and the religious segregation between Catholics and Protestants. They evaluate the current political situation and predict what the...
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Booker T. Washington
In this social studies learning exercise, students find the words associated with Booker T. Washington and the answers are found by clicking the button at the bottom of the page.
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Another Perspective on Modern Civilization
Students consider the impact of current issues on the world population. In this global studies lesson, students discuss the pros and cons of modernization after they listen to a lecture about Gandhi's opinion of modern civilization....
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Breaking the Unjust Law
Students consider the concept of civil disobedience. In this lesson on changing unjust laws, students use primary sources to understand how Gandhi and King changed the law. Students will then list laws that they feel are unjust and plan...
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Get up, Stand up. Stand up for your Civil Rights.
Fourth graders study civil rights leaders. In this Civil Rights lesson, 4th graders investigate what it means to stand up for something you believe in after reading about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Obama. Students create a...
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A Time to Break Silence
Eleventh graders investigate Martin Luther King's decision to speak out against the war in Vietnam. In this American History lesson, 11th graders read excerpts of MLK's speech. Students examine why King made the decision to...
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Promoting Diversity in Elementary School Curricula
Students discover the roles played by various racial, ethnic and religious groups in the development of American society. They explore the concept of racial and cultural diversity and global community, as these are joined by economic,...
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The Battleground: Separate and Unequal Education
Pupils investigate the history of unequal education in the United States and the impact on African American history. For this unequal history lesson, students discuss the purpose of education and describe an ideal school. Pupils...
Yale University
Yale New Haven Teachers Institute: Changing Attitudes in America
A collection of lesson plans that help teachers examine diversity, institutional racism, and other topics in social justice.