Curated OER
Geography: Map Making
Learners, working in groups, share notes and maps collected during a study of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They draw large composite maps of the western United States on butcher paper including land formations, bodies of water, and...
Curated OER
Studying Locally, Teaching Globally
Students work in small groups to create outlines and mind-maps that demonstrate their understanding of the effects of outsourcing on economic relationships and the U.S. economy.
Curated OER
National expansion of the United States (1815 to 1850), and its connection to local Illinois history.
Students discuss the importance of establishing the I & M Canal water route. They watch a video about the canal's history. They collect and write a personal migration story by interviewing a family member. They analyze trends and...
Curated OER
Choices and Commitments: The Soldiers at Gettysburg
Learners investigate the Gettysburg Campaign and the major actions for each day of the battle. They read primary source documents, write a diary entry, analyze the Gettysburg Address, and write a persuasive speech regarding an issue in...
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The Battle Over Reconstruction: The Aftermath of War
Students explore public sentiment regarding Reconstruction. In this Reconstruction activity, students analyze primary sources for evidence of the political, social and economic stability of the U.S. following the Civil War. Students...
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Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence
Young scholars examine readings and symbols to learn about the War of Independence and Thomas Jefferson. In this War of Independence lesson, students explore the role of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration for Independence. Young...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson: Territorial Expansion and the Shift of Power
Young scholars make connections between changes in voting participation and the election of 1828, and describe regional factors evidenced by the voting results of the election of 1828.
Curated OER
My Secret War: Lesson 8
Fifth graders explore American history by viewing videos on the Internet. In this Japanese internment instructional activity, 5th graders discuss the politics that took place between America and Japan during WWII and why it was necessary...
Curated OER
Immigration in America, 1870-1920
Fifth graders research patterns of immigration in America during the years of 1870-1920 using the Ellis Island website. They answer discussion questions, conduct Internet research on their own ancestors, and answer questions about the...
Curated OER
African Country Study and PowerPoint Presentation
Students investigate the geography of Africa. In this African culture lesson plan, students research the lifestyles of African residents and create a PowerPoint presentation based on a single African country. Students share...
Curated OER
Rock River Watershed
Students discover what a watershed is and which one they live in. Using the internet, they research why watersheds are important to an ecosystem and how to keep them from getting polluted. They use a map to locate various items within a...
Curated OER
Plot Your Course
High schoolers determine distance and direction on a nautical chart. In this nautical lesson plan, students identify obstacles and characteristics of common aid to navigation on a nautical chart.
Curated OER
Let's Play Geography Twister
Students practice geography skills by playing a game based on Twister. Students manipulate their position on a map by placing their arms and legs on the appropriate state or country called out by the teacher.
Curated OER
Where in the World is Utah Wheat?
Students examine the role of climate and landforms in the use of Utah's land. For this geography lesson, students analyze the relationship between geography and agriculture in the state as they examine data regarding wheat production in...
Curated OER
OPEC and the Energy Crisis
Students color the Middle East Nations of OPEC on outline maps. They discuss and watch a video about the United States reliance on oil producing nations of the Middle East. They participate in a discussion of the problems of the gas...
Curated OER
Nina Bonita: Culture and Beauty
Students read Nina Bonita by Ana Maria Machado. For this reading comprehension/ geography lesson, students recall various parts of the story and create a map of where the rabbit traveled throughout the story. They participate in group...
Curated OER
Why Do Geese Fly South For the Winter?
Fifth graders examine migration by tracing animal migration routes on a map. For this animal life lesson, 5th graders observe a map of North America and read about the migration patterns of geese. Students trace the path most...
Curated OER
Weather Watch
Students examine weather patterns. In this weather activity, students examine daily weather maps, identify weather patterns, and forecast weather based on the patterns they note.
Curated OER
The Science of Weather: Hurricanes
Students use this USA today activity to learn about hurricane season. For this hurricane lesson, students study the map of the earth and hurricane science. Students complete discuss questions. Students draw a map of the United States and...
Curated OER
Ancient Greece
Students discover the world of ancient Greece. In this ancient Greece instructional activity, students compare and contrast the culture of Athens and Sparta. Students also compare the democracy in Athens with the democracy in the United...
Curated OER
God's Creation
Second graders explore religion by analyzing the state of the country. In this American creation lesson, 2nd graders read that God created the world and therefore the United States and all of the beautiful things within the country....
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Character and Citizenship Education
Students analyze the importance of being a socially healthy citizen. In this character education lesson, students brainstorm personal traits that they think make the world a better place. Students compile their ideas as a class to...
Curated OER
Tibet and the U.S.
Students study the Tibetan situation. In this global issues instructional activity, students listen to a lecture regarding Tibet, its location, and its ties to China. Students then create political cartoons or write letters to their...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Kyrgyzstan Bride Kidnappings
Young scholars examine the Kyrgyzstan bride kidnappings and compare wedding traditions there with those in the United States. They explain these differences and similarities in a fictitious letter to a peer in Kyrgyzstan.