Curated OER
Roman Baths / Plumbing
Young scholars explore interactive tutorial about Roman baths on a NOVA website. In this social studies lesson plan, students compare and contrast Roman and current system of bathing. They write a journal entry about what it's like to...
Curated OER
Sanitation and Disease Challenge
Students explore global health issues related to water and sanitation. In this Peace Corps lesson, students participate in an online game that requires them to examine how hygiene education, tapping springs, constructing wells, and...
Curated OER
Breaching the Gulf Between Cultures
Students explore the dynamics, the challenges, and the rewards of adjusting to a new culture through the reading of "Help! My Father is Coming" and "The Visit to Vijay's". In this social culture lesson, students carousel brainstorm about...
Curated OER
Coming to Terms With Cultural Differences
Students consider cultural differences. In this Peace Corps lesson, students read "Help, My Father is Coming," by Jim Toner and then write journal entries about the culture of Sri Lanka.
Curated OER
Encountering Very Different Ways of Life
Learners explore the concept of crossing cultures through reading the stories "Help! My Father is Coming!" and "The Visit to Vijay's." In this culture lesson, students predict what will happen next in the stories. Learners discuss the...
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission
Water from the Well
How much water does it take to brush your teeth? How about to wash your clothes? Perform an experiment that measures water usage in everyday tasks and compares them to the days before indoor plumbing, specifically the California...
Curated OER
Objects Then and Now
What ancient Roman objects perform the same tasks as modern objects? For this worksheet, students are asked to identify 5 illustrations of Roman objects. Students are then prompted to compare these objects with the functions of 5 modern...
Curated OER
Comstock Calamity
Students study the life of miners and complete activities showing what they have learned. In this miners lesson plan, students read about the life of miners and complete writings, posters, quotes, and other activities about the times.
Curated OER
Breaching the Gulf Between Cultures
Students read excerpts from Jim Toner's memoir Serendib which chronicles his experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer in Sri Lanka. They work in small groups to analyze the excerpts and discuss how the author came to terms with Sri Lankan...
Curated OER
A Single Lucid Moment
Students examine a case study of contrasting values between cultures. They read and discuss a story of a family of Peace Corps volunteers in Papua New Guinea, write a response to the story, and write a script for a dramatization of the...
Curated OER
Coming to Terms With Cultural Differences
Young scholars discover that it is possible to be challenged and "culture-shocked" by the norms of one's own culture when returning home from having been away and living in another culture. They examine and compare the customs of...
Curated OER
Breaching the Gulf Between Cultures
Learners study the dynamics, the challenges, and the rewards of adjusting to a new culture, as illustrated by the author's account of his father's coming to terms with Sri Lankan customs. They reach the enduring understanding, "It is...
Curated OER
Encountering Very Different Ways of Life
Learners explore the concept of crossing cultures. They examine how Americans may be viewed by people in another culture and discover that that Peace Corps Volunteers are trained to cross cultures respectfully so that they are accepted...
Curated OER
A Single Lucid Moment
Students compare resolving contrasting values between cultures. They probe the deeper meanings of a story by a peace Corp worker and the questions it raises. They
study the Maimafu villagers who accompanied the Peace Corps Volunteers...
Curated OER
Using Effective, Amusing Writing As a Model
Learners use the author's writing as a model to achieve vivid description and engaging humor in compositions of their own. They examine the ways a writer can capture and hold a reader's attention and write a short personal narrative...
Curated OER
Exhibiting Tools of the Trade
Students design 'mini museums' that exhibit both historic and current artifacts and information associated with specific professions. They then display and defend their work in class gallery talks and exhibitions.
Curated OER
Wilma Mankiller and the Cherokee Nation
Students examine how Wilma Mankiller became the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. They listen to a teacher-led lecture, write a letter to President Andrew Jackson, participate in a jigsaw activity, conduct research,...
Curated OER
Tree Friends
Students are introduced to tree structure and use. They identify their special tree using all senses except sight. Students identify six different internal parts within a cross section of tree trunk (bark, phloem, xylem, cambium,...