Curated OER
Richmond Rules!
Third graders consider their town government, rights and responsibilities of individuals, and government services in the town of Richmond. students create a KWL chart. After viewing specified web sites, 3rd graders answer questions to a...
Curated OER
Community Role Models in the Classroom: The Vietnam Era
Students research information about the Viet Nam Era. They listen to a guest speaker talk about his/her role in the Viet Nam War. Students write articles for the classroom newsletter or other appropriate publication.
Curated OER
New Traditions in Our Family
First graders discuss the importance of traditions in families. In groups, they share their traditions at certain times of the year. As a class, they read "When This Box is Full" and create a box representing the different seasons. ...
Curated OER
Our Brand of Segregation - West Texas
Students explore the concept of segregation. In this oral history instructional activity, students conduct interviews and research primary sources to learn about segregation practices that affected African Americans. Students present...
Curated OER
Is Our Health Inherited or Acquired?
Fifth graders list the traits they get from their parents and distinguish between inherited traits from acquired ones. They assess how to recognize influences that may affect body types and sizes and research on the internet heredity and...
Curated OER
Environmental Quality in Our Own Backyard
Learners research an environmental issue and decide on a course of action. They write a reseach paper and present an oral presentation based on the research.
Deliberating in a Democracy
National Service
Uncle Sam wants you to serve! Scholars investigate the role of mandatory national service in an open democracy. They research, watch a video, and hold a debate surrounding the issue of requiring one year of service to gain a better...
Curated OER
Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in New York
Same-sex marriage is the hot topic discussed in this New York Times article. Upper graders read the article and then answer eight comprehension questions. Note: This article is more about the Senate and legislation than about same-sex...
Curated OER
Exploring County Ordinances
Middle schoolers examine county ordinances, develop understanding of degree to which county government serves and regulates citizens, describe competing interests involved in making local political policy, and decide whether government...
Curated OER
"Environmental Activism and its Components"
Students explore how an individual has power and voice in all levels of the government as well as in the making of laws that involve environmental issues and regulations. They assess the steps involved in turning a bill into law. In...
Curated OER
Rights and Responsibilities: Making the Connection
Learners examine the Bill of Rights. In this philanthropy instructional activity, students identify the responsibilities that accompany the 5 basic guaranteed rights in the Bill of Rights. Learners interview a community member regarding...
Curated OER
Comparing Covenants
Fifth graders investigate what a covenant was and how they relate to contemporary government ideals. In this comparing covenant lesson, 5th graders examine primary source documents that are examples of covenants from 18th century New...
Curated OER
Alzheimer's: A Societal Crisis
High schoolers discuss ways in which diseases affect individuals, families, and society, and view and answer questions about segments from The Forgetting related to the impact of Alzheimer's disease on society and families. They...
Curated OER
Protecting the Past: Give a Hoot, Don't Loot!
Students, in small groups, simulate an ancient civilization and the art they created, another group represents vandals, and the final group represents archaeologists who try to figure out what life was like for the "ancient peoples". ...
Curated OER
Land as a Valuable Resource
Learners investigate why the soil is important to our lives. In this natural resources lesson plan, students have a farmer as a guest speaker. Learners begin to understand how farmers use and protect our natural resource. Students write...
Curated OER
The Fall of Fujimori
Students view a film about the fall of Peru's president. They develop possible solutions for governments to follow when dealing with terrorism. They work together to research civil liberty limitations put in place during war. They...
Curated OER
Bill of Rights -- Americans with Disabilities Act
Young scholars focus on the First and Ninth Amendments of the Bill of Rights. Before visiting a museum, they examine the Americans with Disabilities Act. During the visit, they work together with a museum member to watch a video and...
Curated OER
A Day in the Life of a Homeless Person
Learners examine the day in the life of a homeless person. In this humanitarian lesson, students examine the life of a homeless person while discovering the importance of social justice in our society.
Curated OER
The Important Thing About Reading
Third through fifth graders discover the importance of reading and plan a service project to provide books to children. First, they read the book The Important Book and then they brainstorm about the importance of reading. Afterward,...
Curated OER
Authority Figures
First graders simulate that they have been stranded on a desert island. They are not going to be rescued and they have to figure out who is in charge, form a government, and how many levels of leadership there needs to be.
Curated OER
A Photo of Philanthropy
Students identify a key idea in literature that is reflected in every day life. They define philanthropy. They recognize philanthropic deeds within self and others. They identify nonprofit organizations as important parts of the giving...
Curated OER
We the Past
Students study philanthropy related terms and philanthropy in the United States and their local community. In this philanthropy lesson, students study pictures of present and past Americans and discuss their philanthropic acts. Students...
Curated OER
Timber Harvesting: A Civic Debate
Eighth graders analyze and identify the importance of our forests and how to manage them properly. In this tree lesson students read forestry material and come up with different alternatives to the identified problems.
Curated OER
Our Changing Voices
Twelfth graders examine their role in society. They search primary documents and assemble a family album.