Curated OER
American Genre Painting in the Nineteenth Century: Teaching Artistic Interpretation as a Tool for Critically Viewing History
Students view a variety of artwork to determine the history and lifestyle of people from New Haven, Connecticut. In groups, they develop their individual hypothesis about why the paintings were created and share them with their group...
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History/Mystery: Regionalism and Ethnicity in the American Detective Novel
Students use mystery novels to focus on the history and ethnicity of different regions of the United States. As a class, they are introduced to the elements of a mystery and compare them to the other types of novels they have read. In...
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The Task of the Mask
Students discover historical value and use of different African masks through research and literature. Students also relate different customs and traditions of ethnic groups to the masks.
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Aztec and Mayan Mythology
Sixth graders write myths to show tolerance in creation. They read from both the Aztec and Mayan eras and develop an understanding of the similarities and differences of these two closely related cultures. They track the travels of...
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Transforming Anansi Folktales Into Storyboards
Students work in small groups to illustrate a story board of a folktale. They develop the meaning of a trickster as a humor device in folktales by listening to several about Leprechauns and the Coyote of Native American tales. They then...
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Local History Project: Create a Tourism Brochure
Students create a Chamber of Commerce tourism brochure for their community . They work in small groups to research historical sites, community events and natural attractions. After each group completes their topic they are peer edited...
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Family Life Among the Ashanti of West Africa
Students examine the way of life of the Ashanti who live in West Africa. After locating the countries on a map, they are shown slides of artifacts to determine their uses. In groups, they compare and contrast the Ashanti's view of...
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I Have to Change!? The Role of the Adolescent in the Family
Sixth graders examine the changes occuring during adolescents using children's literature. As a class, they brainstorm a list of the various roles they play in their family. In groups, they use excerpts of plays from Shakespeare to...
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On Becoming Husbands/Wives/Mothers/Fathers
Students are introduced to becoming wives, husbands, mothers and fathers. In groups, they define what love means to them and discuss why they believe many people are rushing to marriage and parenthood. To end the lesson plan, they...
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African-American Autobiography for the Middle School Student
Students are introduced to the characteristics of an autobiography. For each author, they research their life and works and discuss why it reflects different time periods of African-Americans. In groups, they brainstorm characteristics...
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1986 Capsule: Hispanic Influence in the New World
Students research the conditions in Spain during the 15th and 16th centuries. In groups, they write a paper on the information they gathered during their research and why the situation is unique to Spain. As a class, they discuss the...
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Classroom Ecosystems: Windows on our Environment
Students in a special education classroom examine their relationship with the environment. As a class, they examine the concept of a web of life and create their own classroom ecosystem. In groups, they record their observations and...
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Coming to America: Opportunities, Risks, Consequences
Students examine the immigrants of various cultures throughout the world. In groups, they identify the push and pull factors of those immigrating and the risks and consequences they are subject do when going through the immigration...
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The Affects of Hormones on Human Development
Learners examine the types of changes they are experiencing during adolescence. As a class, they are introduced to the physical changes in men and women and discover the functions of various glands. In groups, they research the affect...
Curated OER
Habitat Cards
Students discuss the relationship between a habitat and the environment. In groups, they use the internet to research the relationship between the animals and the habitat on their card. They present their information to the class to...
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WH AT' S Y O U R A M B I T I O N?
Students read and analyze an excerpt from Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain. Students use the Six Traits of Writing to compose an essay on a personal life ambition that each students may have. Students use prewriting strategies and...
Smarter Balanced
Advertising
The activities in this packet are designed to ensure that all class members have the necessary background knowledge to successfully engage in an assessment of advertisement appeals. After examining a series of ads, individuals use the...
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Echo, Echo, Echo, Each can help others
Students discuss and research arguments about philanthropy. In this persuasive speech writing lesson, students choose a needed project for the community and present the reasons for the project through an original persuasive speech....
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The Right to Bear Arms
Students explore the right to bear arms. They identify the arguments regarding the controversy over gun ownership and discuss the various positions individuals and groups have taken. They prepare a visual representation of the results...
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Green Space in the City
Students examine city parks and their importance and affect they have on the health and well being of a community. An oral report with visual aids is prepared as a group to educate the class on the importance of green space in the city.
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Differences and Settlement in the Legislative Budget Process
Students discuss the issues at hand when legislators are trying to agree on policy. In groups, they role-play different roles within a sub-committee when trying to balance the budget. They present their findings to the class and...
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Differences and Settlement in Framing the United States Constitution
Students identify the principles of democracy when framing the United States Constitution. In groups, they analyze the differences that were settled before anyone signed the document. They role play their own activity in which they...
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Stem Cell Research
Students examine embryonic cell research and the controversy that surrounds it. In this stem cell lesson students use a debate model and present and defend their positions.
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Who Can Influence Legislators?
Students identify four influences that affect how a Member of Congress decides to vote on a bill, and describe ways that individuals and groups influence legislators.