Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pearl S. Buck: "On Discovering America"

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Young scholars describe myths and realities of immigration. In this "On Discovering America" lesson, students compare and contrast the American view of immigrants in the 1930s and how the media portrayed immigrants in the 1930s using...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leaders, Laborers, and Other Perspectives of World War II

For Teachers 10th - 11th
How did the women in France feel about their country’s involvement in World War II? Class groups are assigned a country involved in WWII, and individuals within the group adopt the point of view of leaders, laborers, businessmen, women,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

China and Communism

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders discuss what might happen if United States government took over media ownership, read Junior Scholastic article entitled "China Looks to the Future," and create chart comparing Chinese Communist government to United States...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Issues in Public Education During the Kentucky Civil Rights Era

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct oral history interviews and research historical and contemporary media articles about multiculturalism and diversity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conscience and Public Service

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers study conscientious observers (COs) in the Civilian Public Service (CPS) during World War II. They explore how the media sources influence public opinion and policy makers, and complete a writing assignment about the topic.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Depicting Women and Class in a Global Society

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students analyze the evolution of women's work from the 19th century to present day and create artwork depicting women. In this women's roles instructional activity, students compare and contrast the use of space and color in the two...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Has Technology Affected the Presidential Election Process in the U.S.?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students measure technological advancements as they consider how they impacted the election process in the United States. In this presidential politics lesson, students research technological changes since the 1900's and create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cory in the House: "New Kid in Town"

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students, after watching the program "New Kid in Town," are introduced to the White House in Washington, D.C. They explore the difficulties of fitting into a new environment along with new acquaintances. They stress and address the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Going to the Promised Land (Dust Bowl Migration)

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine Dust Bowl migration. For this Great Depression lesson, students research primary sources regarding migration issues in the United States during the Great Depression. Students discuss their research findings and impressions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Children at War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students conduct Internet research to investigate the use of children in combat throughout the world. Students read personal testimonies and analyze media coverage of children in combat.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson Plan: The Net Neutrality Debate

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Should Internet users who send data-heavy content pay higher fees than those who are involved in activities, like sending an email, that have less content? This question is at the heart of the Net Neutrality debate. After watching a PBS...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hummingbirds and Flowers: A Study of Co-Adaptive Relationships

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Hummingbirds and flowers need each other to survive! Pupils explore the co-adaptation of hummingbirds and the flowering plants. They explain how a flowering plant has adapted to be pollinated by a hummingbird and how the hummingbird has...
Lesson Plan
New York Public Library

What's for Lunch?: New York City Restaurant Menus

For Teachers 1st - 2nd Standards
Do you remember the days when a cup of coffee cost five cents? At A.W. Dennett restaurant in 1894, you could buy a five-cent cup of coffee and as well as a five-cent slice of pie to accompany it. The menu from that year is a primary...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

World War One- Lesson #1 of 3

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders search an online database for World War I posters, newspapers, magazines and other media. They write an essay about public sentiment of the time based on the research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coming to America

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders listen to the song America by Neil Diamond, view pictures of Ellis Island, and role play as processing officers who evaluate, classify and recommend which immigrants can stay in America.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ellis Island: Gateway To America

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study the immigration station on Ellis Island. Through several activities, they see that immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island came to America from different countries, mostly those in Europe, for a variety of reasons.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The War Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars view video clips of the film "The War". Several classroom activities are included and address major themes found in the film. The lessons incorporate video clips from the film as well as additional resources provided.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Gateway to America

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study about immigration, Ellis Island, and tenement life from 1890 to 1924. They create an identity of a fictitious immigrant and describe what they find when they arrive in New York.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Black History Project

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders explore and analyze about famous African-Americans by listening to four picture book biographies. They generate a list of 15 famous African-Americans and then create a survey to rank them according to importance of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Life of a President

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners examine the life of President Gerald R. Ford. After reading an article, they discuss his legacy. They collect articles written during his time in office and examine the key issues of his presidency. They write an article about...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Looking for Lincoln Throughout His Life

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young historians gather information about Abraham Lincoln through a variety of activities. They match vocabulary words with pictures to create a timeline. Additionally, learners read books and articles that teach them...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native Americans of Rockland County

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students comprehend Native American cultures through the use of both secondary and primary sources. They explore and investigate Native Americans in New York State. Students are shown some old Indian arrowheads and they are challenged...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Romare Bearden: Piecing Together A Viewpoint

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the history of Romare Bearden and her artwork. The lesson consists of some virtual field trips and projects. The lesson is designed to be taught as either a social studies or art lesson. The teacher could also teach this...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Latinos Spice Up Melting Pot

For Teachers 8th - 12th
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.