Curated OER
American Frontiers
Learners study the settlement of the American frontier through literature. In this literature lesson, students read and discuss works by James Fenimore Cooper, Bret Harte, Mark Twain, Willa Cather, and Hamlin Garland. Learners compare...
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The Buffalo War: A Clash of Cultures
Students view a documentary on the different values and meaning placed on the buffalo. Examining various cultures, they link the attitudes to the treatment of the animal in the wild. They develop solutions to the conflict raised by the...
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Forward, Into the Past!
Students, during a (virtual) visit to a burial ground, think about the past by viewing tombstones as primary sources. They explain how the attitudes of Deerfield residents toward death and burial evolved from 1780-1880.
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Features of Culture
In this social studies worksheet, students examine the cultural differences that are common to a particular country. Students fill out a chart of 30 features of American culture such as styles of dress, food, greetings, concept of beauty...
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Cost Of Cool
Students explore how marketers use the idea of "cool" to sell clothing and accessories, and become aware of their own attitudes and perceptions about what is cool. They become aware of what motivates them to buy certain things
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Faces of Courage: Teenagers Who Resisted
Students read true stories of teenagers who defied Hitler and avoided participation in the Hitler Youth. They discuss the stories paying attention to the dangers and incredible peer pressure that these children faced. They consider how...
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Diversity: Origin Myths
Fifth graders analyze origin myths and the diversity of First Nations groups. In this history lesson, 5th graders review the geography of Canada and read various origin myths. Students illustrate one of the myths and research...
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Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson
In this online interactive reading comprehension worksheet, students respond to 11 short answer and essay questions based on Winesburg, Ohio. Students may also access an online quiz on the selection using the link at the bottom of the page.
Curated OER
Worth a Thousand Words-The Photography Essay
Students act as a public relations firm representing the school district and use photography to develop positive attitudes toward all programs. They brainstormed alternative methods to use photography and selected the photographic essay.
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A Walk Through the Past: A Grave Undertaking
Students explore how historians construct a story out of fragments of the past; a discussion of nineteenth century poetry and art leads students to connect art and literature to their place in time.
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The Medici Popes
Students explore Italian politics and warfare of the Renaissance. They explain the origins and effects of the Protestant Reformation and contrast Renaissance and Medieval attitudes.
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Understanding Criminal Justice
Students realize that clear values are a resource of behavior in clarifying needs and wants. They clarify feelings and wants and verbalize ways in which they give up freedom and control in their lives by relinquishing decisions to...
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TE Lesson: I've Gotta Get Some Air
Students investigate types and sources of indoor air pollutions both at home and in school. They decide on how to prevent poor indoor air quality. They debate smoking in order to determine how language usage can be an influence in...
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Ads R Us: Understanding Target Marketing
Students build awareness of the way in which advertisers shape ads for specific audiences. They analyze the target audience intended for an advertisement and create their own targeted ads to demonstrate their understanding. They discuss...
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The Power of Protest
Students recognize the power of protest. In this civil rights lesson, students consider the success of Rosa Parks and her protest that sparked the movement. Students study the Montgomery Bus Boycott in depth and reflect on Parks's...
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Deep Roots of Ancient Greece
High schoolers investigate Greek contributions to modern America. In this ancient Greek influence instructional activity, students watch videos, listen to lectures, and conduct research regarding ancient Greek ideals in order to analyze...
Ed Change
Exploring Language: Definitions Activity
Students find definitions for prejudice, discrimination, racism, sexism, and homophobia. Definitions should come from two sources: the person's opinion and a scholarly source.
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Creating Your Own Rock Art
Fourth graders use regional rock art symbols or their own symbols to cooperatively create a rock art panel. They examine their feelings about rock art vandalism and discuss ways to protect rock art and other archaeological sites.
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Influencing Others in Our World
Students discover that the actions of people can have a positive influence on a community. They use a variety of resources to research biographies of African Americans. Students research and discuss the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.,...
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Pets - Stuffed Animal Day
Students listen to Courtney Baker's, "The Perfect Pet," on a day they bring a stuffed animal to school. They graph the types of stuffed animals that their classmates brought to school before answering questions based on the graph. Next,...
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Badges of Pride
Fifth graders investigate jobs and how people identify with their job. In this labor activity, 5th graders create a book from illustrations of various jobs. Students read an article about labor and answer questions about the...
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Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Lesson: Immigration
Many of your class members will have heard of Executive Order 9066 and the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Some may even recognize the terms “Issei” and “Nisei,” but few will have heard of Enemy Alien Hearing Boards, of the...
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Reconstruction to Civil Rights
Eighth graders complete a unit of lessons on the period of time from Reconstruction to the Civil Rights movement. They analyze and interpret political cartoons and editorials, conduct research on famous civil rights places, and complete...