Curated OER
Vote for Me!
Students conduct a mock presidential interview. In this US presidents lesson plan, students research the lives of former U.S. presidents and then role play interviews of the "presidents."
Curated OER
How Do We Balance Environmental Conservation with Human Needs?
Students role play a meeting between conservation biologists and local representatives who want to advance the livelihood of local population. In this history lesson, students research the necessities and conservation issues of given...
Curated OER
Patriots v. Loyalists
Students consider how colonial citizens chose sides in the American Revolution. In this Revolutionary War lesson, students role play Loyalists, Patriots, and undecideds in a classroom simulation. Students research their positions so that...
University of Chicago
Exercise in Conflict Resolution
How do major religions, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, differ in how they view the role of individual freedoms within society, the definition of morality, and the importance of politically satisfying the greater good? Here...
Curated OER
Storytelling and Culture
Learners examine the cultural tradition of storytelling. For this storytelling lesson, students explore stories from 3 different cultures and evaluate the roles that storytelling plays in each of the cultures to pass on values and beliefs.
C-SPAN
The Electoral College and the Constitution
What is the purpose of the Electoral College? Is it antiquated, or does it have a place in today's political climate? High schoolers view a series of video clips as they analyze the parts of the United States Constitution that address...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Music of African American History
High schoolers examine role spirituals have played in African American history and religion, examine Harriet Tubman's use of spirituals in her work, explore power of spirituals in Civil Rights Movement, and work with oral tradition,...
Curated OER
Changing Planet: Infectious Diseases Classroom Activity
Here is a different approach: emerging epidemiologists first go home to interview family on the topic of infectious disease. Then they come to class and view a video and PowerPoint that explore how climate change may increase the...
Curated OER
Scientific Theories
Ninth graders compare and contrast how different models can be used to represent scientific understandings. They evaluate the use of data when considering scientific claims. Students debate a variety of socio-scientific issues and the...
Curated OER
Lincoln's Political Theology
Middle schoolers continue to examine the events of the Civil War. Using primary source documents, they identify how Lincoln's religious beliefs affected the decisions he made during this time period. They discuss the meaning of his...
Curated OER
Frontline Muslims: Overview of Muslim History and the Spread of Islam from the 7th to the 21st century
Students gain insight into how and when Islam was spread to various regions from the 7th century to today. They are able to identify and asses the importance of cultural and political factors in the spread of Islam and the effect it has...
Curated OER
The "Big Four"
Pupils identify the four individuals who are identified as the "Big Four", examine the years they were on the bench together, and look and the impact they made in key cases.
Curated OER
Representation: Majority rule
Students explore various forms of decision making including majority rule, executive, consensus and autocracy (as well as exploring the power of veto), when they debate a bill in a class parliament.
Curated OER
The Government of North Korea
Ninth graders study the Government of North Korea. They identify the system of government of North Korea today and explain how power is acquired, used and justified by it. They describe the use of propaganda by this government system...
Curated OER
Jazz in America
Students explore different instruments and what role they play in Jazz. They also each person's role in a democratic society.
Curated OER
To Be Black and American: World War II
Twelfth graders research wartime conditions African American had to endure during World War II. They explain what role African Americans played in World War II and describe what life was like for African Americans in the United States...
Curated OER
Free Enterprise: A Context for Technology
Introduced your class to the topic of free enterprise and its relationship to personal freedom. As a class, they brainstorm the ways in which what they do affects the free enterprise system and how technology can make the transition...
Curated OER
Unit on International Law and Organizations
Learners participate in a debate between internationalists and the rights of sovereign nations. They read interviews and role play one of the sides in a mock interview.
Curated OER
What's planning permission?
High schoolers investigate land regulations. In groups students explore how local councillors grant planning permission and how land is regulated. High schoolers role play making decisions on a planning committee. They discuss why a...
Curated OER
Put It In Print
Students research immigration reform and immigrant experiences in Indiana. They form their own opinions and voice them. They role-play editors and writers of a newspaper to get their information across.
Curated OER
The Federalist Papers
Students identify the Articles of Confederation and explain why it failed. They explain the argument over the need for a bill of rights in the Constitution and James Madison's role in securing its adoption by first Congress. Finally,...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Ramadan Observance
Learners discuss Ramadan and the practice of fasting. Working in groups, they visit Websites and complete worksheets about the Muslim holiday. Students write letters role-playing as someone unfamiliar with a celebration and then write...
Curated OER
How Are Boundaries Made, Kept, Broken?
Students examine the works of Noam Chomsky. They collaborate in small groups to read and identify vocabulary words and historical questions. They answer their questions and role-play as emissaries to locate remaining answers. They...
Curated OER
Making A New Nation
Eighth graders read standard road maps and topographical maps, and examine the lives of pathfinders who opened the trails to the West. They develop Living History presentations, role-playing a character from the past.