PBS
Going Back In Time
History detectives eschew that time machine and follow the paper trail to go back in time to investigate an unfamiliar object. The goal is for class members to develop their skills as historical detectives.
It's About Time
Plate Boundaries and Plate Interactions
How does the Earth continually repair itself? Explore the answer to this question, and others, with a unit on plate boundaries and interaction. Pupils classify the types of movement at plate boundaries and identify the distribution of...
Curated OER
Field Biology
Students work with 4th and 5th graders at Cascade Brook School in Farmington, to teach them skills in wildflower and fern identification, and then to help them implement a nature trail, which is accessible to the greater Farmington...
Curated OER
Historical Events in Utah History
Fifth graders choose a topic they are interested in related to the history of Utah. Using the internet, they research the topic making sure to cite where they gathered the information and take notes. To end the lesson, they write their...
Curated OER
Getting to Know You
Students create a women's history trail. They interview residents of their local community. They create information brochures on different women as well.
Curated OER
Heroes and Heroines: King David, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra and Napoleon
Students identify and examine four heroes from history and imaginative literature. They discuss the characteristics of a hero and share perceptions of what makes a hero. By comparing and analyzing a few historical and literary figures,...
Curated OER
Impact of Westward Expansion on Indigenous Populations
Students study the impact of westward expansion on Native American populations. They create a diorama of a Native American scene, write imaginary letters as a pioneer child reflecting on his/her experiences, and create story sticks that...
Curated OER
Growing Files for Women's History
Students research a woman from their local community. They use primary source documents and old newspapers to gather information. They present the information to the class.
Curated OER
Trail of Discovery
Students collaborate on a research-based documentation of their town's founding, written from the point of view of a fictional person who lived there long ago
Curated OER
Recovering Under-examined Histories to Build Community
Students read Diane Glancy's "Pushing the Bear" about the Cherokee Removal and respond online to a discussion board. They discuss responses in class.
Curated OER
Mormon Era
Students learn the history of the Mormons and are able to explore items made during the Mormon era by creating their own by hand. In this Mormon Era lesson, students create covered wagons, can lanterns, candles and sourdough bread as...
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Cyber Hunt Activities: Lewis & Clark
Learners participate in cyber hunt activities involving Lewis and Clark in order to gain a better idea of what it was like to be an explorer of the vast western lands. In this history lesson, students may choose to study the route that...
Curated OER
The Walk
Students gather information from the local community about a walking trail. They create a brochure highlighting the women from the community. They walk to every site in which women made an impact.
Curated OER
A Helping Hand: The Role of Guides During Western Expansion
Students research and examine the lives and culture of western mountain guides during the early to mid 1800s. Students write reports about a guide they research, do a simulation of the guide by keeping a journal, managing money and...
Curated OER
The Iditarod: The Last Great Race
Students investigate the Iditarod. In this last great race lesson plan, students explore and research the Iditarod race which takes place in Alaska. Students explore a variety of websites and images to gather background information. A...
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Gran Quivira: A Blending of Cultures in a Pueblo Indian Village
Students examine the changing life ways of the inhabitants of a Pueblo Indian village from the 7th century to the arrival of the Spanish in the early 17th century. They explain the influence of Spanish missionaries on the lives the...
Curated OER
Aksing Questions -- What is Fame?
Students distribute copies of a survey to the local community about famous women. They gather the data and present it in a clear way. They examine the community's view on different issues.
Curated OER
Black Hawk Island Hike
Students explore Wisconsin's natural and cultural history through hands-on exploration of Upham Woods. They are shown the basic paddling skills and they work in teams to paddle across the river on barge. Students describe cultural...
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Project Jukebox
Students analyze an interview with the Climate Change Project Jukebox in order to help them undertand how to use a concept map. In this writing and climate change instructional activity, pairs of students log onto the Internet site for...
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The Role of the Connecticut Abolitionists with the Amistad Case
Tenth graders compare the activities of the Underground Railroad with the Amistad Case. In this slavery lesson plan, 10th graders research primary and secondary sources to discover information about Connecticut abolitionists. Students...
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Tutors & Readers Theater
Students complete literacy service learning projects. In this literacy lesson, older students work with younger students to tutor them in reading and writing. They help prepare a Readers Theater for the younger students.
Curated OER
An Extraordinary Woman
Students research a famous woman from a previous lesson. They develop a chant about her and her accomplishments. They share their findings with the community.