Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Harvest Ceremony: Beyond the Thanksgiving Myth

For Teachers K - 12th
There is a grain of truth in myths. Young historians investigate the truths surrounding the popular beliefs about the First Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts. After reading the information in a study guide, they use what they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Microwave and the Jiffy Store

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young historians examine the lifestyle changes and cultural changes that occurred as a result of the challenges posed by World War II on society in general. With regard to American History and culture, pupils write an essay on the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

World History Worksheet #8

For Students 5th - 8th
What customs did the Ancient Aztecs practice? In this world history worksheet, learners utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions pertaining to the Aztec culture. A short answer question at the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Respect for Authority

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars develop cross-cultural understanding. In this democracy lesson, students discuss core democratic values as they examine the governance in their school and their local community. Young scholars also discuss the...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Current Events Quiz #3

For Students 9th - 12th
Useful as a blast from the past, this current events activity is outdated (Fall 2001). Many global events are part of these fifty questions, but quite a few of them are very specific to pop culture and sports. This could be helpful in a...
Worksheet
Curated OER

A-Teens' Lyrics

For Students 7th - 12th
Are you doing a unit on Sweden? Incorporate this worksheet into your discussion on Swedish pop culture. There are 10 multiple-choice questions about A Teens lyrics. Note: Quiz can be taken online or printed out.
Worksheet
Curated OER

AC/DC: 1980s

For Students 7th - 12th
Music in the 80s includes the various lyrics and notes of AC/DC. While teaching a unit on the 80s, don't forget to include AC/DC during a discussion on pop culture. There are 10 multiple-choice questions about AC/DC in the 80s on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

High Wire Magazine: Turning Points

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Develop and strengthen reading comprehension strategies through this comprehensive teaching guide. Your learners will practice making text connections, inferences, predictions, and more using reading passages from the teen-appropriate...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cold War in Popular Music

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze pop culture songs to identify cold war themes and chart. They comprehend and explain why the Cold War took place and ended and assess its significance as a 20th century event. Students conduct a song analysis of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Images of Cowboys

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the image of the cowboy that is presented in popular culture. Students read about Native American, African American, Mexican, and Canadian Cowboys. For homework, they analyze a classroom textbook's depiction of cowboys.
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Looking North Of The Greek World: The Slavic Folk Poetry of The Balkans

For Teachers 9th - 11th Standards
Showing how folk poetry keeps alive national heritage is the stated goal of this proposal for a unit on the poetry of the Balkans.
Activity
Orlando Shakes

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!): Study Guide

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What do Ebenezer Scrooge, the Grinch, and Frosty the Snowman have in common? They're all characters from beloved holiday movies that viewers revisit in the play Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!). Scholars conduct research...
Worksheet
Curated OER

ESL: "A Night out in Newcastle" UK Culture Activity

For Students 5th - 7th
In this ESL UK culture worksheet, learners match paragraphs to headings, complete true/false questions, match bold-faced words to meanings and complete short answer questions. All activities reference a text titled "A Night Out out...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Comparison of the Celebrations of Cinco de Mayo

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compare and contrast how Cinco de Mayo is celebrated in the United States and in Mexico. In this cultural comparisons instructional activity, students research holiday practices using Internet sites and then write persuasive...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Canada and the United States: A Collage

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers create a visual presentation that describes the influence of American culture on Canadian culture, the Canadian response to that influence, and the benefits and drawbacks of that influence to Canadian culture.
Organizer
Curated OER

Which Country?

For Students 5th - Higher Ed
In this geography worksheet, students study the names of 60 countries. Students indicate their home country by coloring its name in the word grid puzzle. Students then answer 8 questions about their country concerning what language is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From Corn To Tortillas

For Teachers K
Students investigate the food known as the tortilla. They research the growth cycle of the corn plant and how tortillas are made from it. The importance of the tortilla according to the Hispanic culture is explained to the students. The...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Folktales: "The Storytelling Stone"

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Pupils create a folktale after finding out the importance of folktales in different cultures.  In this folktales instructional activity, students determine the definition of a folktale and read a "The Storytelling Stone." ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The 1920s: The Rise of Consumer Culture

For Teachers All
Students examine economic, social, and cultural aspects of the 1920s. They provide a brief political history of the 1920s, focusing on the death of Warren Harding (Was he poisoned by his wife?) and develop skills in analyzing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Traditional Inuit Games

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students explore Inuit culture. In this cultural diversity lesson, students collaborate to learn Inuit games and teach them to their classmates.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Holidays

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students compare the holidays celebrated in the Middle Ages to those celebrated in American culture today. In this cultural tradition instructional activity, students read Internet-linked articles about holidays of the Middle Ages....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Symbols of Canada Lesson

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners examine the most common symbols of Canada and explain their importance. In this Canadian culture lesson, students identify the beaver, maple leaf, and Inuksuk and discuss why Canada feels these are representative symbols of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is All Cinema Verité?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore the relationship between movies and culture, looking at movies as both a part of and a reflection of popular culture. They research the specific historical and cultural realities present during the run of a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Old Is New Again

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore cultural trends in the United States in the 20th century and examine the resurgence of some of those trends in today's society.