Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Calling on Congo

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students listen to an interview with a former news coorespondent in Congo. They discuss an article about the instability in the country following their elections. They research Congo's history along with its connection to the United...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Presentation of Pilgrims

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners are given a category to research (clothes, life before the New World, the voyage, etc.) about Pilgrim life. s Students, in groups, create presentations using software program such as PowerPoint.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living Through Fire

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students investigate the poverty found in Haiti. In this current events lesson, students research the noted Web sites to study Haiti's geography, history, and civil war. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Before Rosa Parks: Upper Grades Activity: Frances Watkins Harper

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze the rhetorical strategies Frances Watkins Harper used, such as tone, emotional appeal and descriptive language
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weavers Tell Their Stories

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine the practice of weaving by Mayan women. They read personal accounts and write a sentence stating the main idea. They also write a short report on weaving as a cultural and economic way of life for the Mayan women.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

SLAVE TRADITIONS AND RELIGIONS: AN INSTITUTION CREATED WITHIN THE SLAVE COMMUNITY

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students learn and discuss the origins of slave traditions and religions. They use a T-chart and compare the slaves lifestyle with other modern lifestyles.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Have Minorities Gained Acceptance

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers cite evidence gathered from magazines about how much Blacks are accepted into the mainstream of American life. They support their conclusions by writing an answer to an essay question.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking at the Old South: Music and Culture

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers use different styles of music to research society, history and culture in the American South. They, in groups, research an assigned piece of music and make a presentation to the class. They keep a daily journal as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Beginnings of Slavery in South Carolina

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders conduct research to find information about the beginning of slavery in South Carolina. They compile the information they find into oral and written group presentations. Specific questions provided in this lesson plan need...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Social Media a Trustworthy News Outlet?

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Examine the role of social media in social and political uprisings. Pupils listen to NPR audio clips about social media and the Arab Spring and read an article that proposes the idea that revolution will not happen through social media....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. History: The Second Great Migration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the migration of rural African Americans to northern cities following World War !!. After predicting the effects of cultural and economic factors, they write essays explaining the impact of migration on communities and...
Worksheet
Curated OER

President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt

For Students 5th - 6th
In this biography comprehension worksheet, students read a 3 page selection on President Roosevelt and answer 8 multiple choice question about the selection. The selection is a
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Watching Crystals Grow

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Amazing science can sometimes happen right before your eyes! The class gets cozy as they watch crystals grow. They use Epsom salts, rocks, and food coloring to create crystals. They'll observe the entire process, documenting every step...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

With malice toward none, with charity for all: The life of Abraham Lincoln

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research Abraham Lincoln in a variety of ways. In this Abraham Lincoln lesson plan, students use primary sources, vocabulary activities, books, and more to research and learn about Abraham Lincoln.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

America's First Pictures

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders visit the Smithsonian website to search online for early photo archives about life in the mid-nineteenth century.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African-American Iowans: History, contributions & Accomplishments.

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students explore lives of African-Americans in Iowa. Students will examine biographies and discuss perspectives of African-Americans. They will then create posters illustrating elements of those lives finally, putting on a five act play...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Nineteenth- Century America in Art and Literature

For Students 5th - 6th
For this historical letter writing worksheet, students choose an aspect of 19th century American life that is of interest. Students write a letter from the point of view of a person in this time. Students exchange letters with a partner...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Simple Cycles

For Teachers 1st - 5th
Young scholars use Inspiration to map cyclical events. They recognize links between separate events and structural patterns. They explore the Internet Connection section to browse additional resources on teaching about cycles used in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Doing Our Share Lesson 1: Michigan History of Philanthropy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students research the history of philanthropy in Michigan by looking at images and pictures while discussing the definition of philanthropy. They design a picture of the first time they saw a philanthropic act and write three sentences...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Prairie Voices: German Immigrants Move to Iowa

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students create historically accurate travel journals. In this Iowa history lesson plan, students research the German immigration experience as they write travel journals that feature a German family's move into an Iowa county.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Doubles: Japan and America's Intercultural Children

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students experience issues of intercultural children born as a result of the Occupation of Japan by American soldiers. They reflect on how these experiences and issues might be relevant to our own lives. Task cars are available to print...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Camera of My Family Video

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the Noren Family's view of life in Nazi Germany. In this discussion lesson students answer twelve questions asked by the teacher.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creatures from Planet X: Spiders

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students are given a description of some fascinating animals from "Planet X". They follow the descriptions given to illustrate one of these animals paying careful attention to introduced vocabulary such as 'appendages', 'receptors', and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Opening Doors to Social Studies with Children's Literature

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders read a story about immigration, listen to songs about America and explore the history of their ancestors. They discuss how immigration creates a multicultural country. Pupils create a collage of the people in America. ...