Curated OER
Rationalizing Race in US History
Students consider the classification of people. In this race studies lesson, students examine the concept of race as it relates to U.S. history and trends. Students research racial discrimination and prejudice in order to support their...
Facing History and Ourselves
How Do Rules and Traditions Shape Communities?
Sixth graders explore the concepts of laws and customs in a community, examining the reasoning behind rules. Then then collaborate to write their own classroom code of conduct.
Facing History and Ourselves
What Makes Memphis a Community?
Sixth graders explore the community identity of Memphis, Tennessee. After examining primary and secondary sources, class members describe the city and its attributes that make it a unique community.
Curated OER
Learning Economics through Comics
Students summarize the historical development of money. In this economics activity, students describe the process of bartering and explain how money facilitates trade and exchange. Students also define and describe inflation and a modern...
Curated OER
Using Blogs in a History Classroom
Students blog their way through history. In this historical perspectives lesson, students use teacher-created blogs to log their impressions and opinions regarding the historical events they are studying. Steps are included for setting...
Curated OER
Are Curfew's Fair?
Students explore and discuss how curfews are set up. They discuss how difficult it can be to define appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Students role play situations involving curfew and the behaviors they are meant to curb.
Curated OER
Living History
Students write an essay and interview someone who remembers the 1960's and 1970's. In this history lesson plan, students write their essays as if they were there in that time period, write their feelings, and put together a mini museum...
Curated OER
Don't Miss The Boat
Fourth graders study immigration and what it is like to be an immigrant. They choose immigrant identities, dress appropriately, and role play during an International Fair where each student displays some aspect of his/her "home country."
Curated OER
U.S. Constitution - Checks and Balances
Students examine the separation of powers of the branches of the U.S. federal government. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students listen to a SMART Board supported lecture on checks and balances of the Judicial, Legislative, and...
Curated OER
The 36th President: Lyndon B. Johnson, US History
Students research and analyze Lyndon B. Johnson's achievements as the 36th President focusing on his legislative program. They consider how the passage of time can influence a President's reputation.
Curated OER
How E-Commerce Influences Consumer Choice
Class members gather information on different brands of athletic shoes to determine which is the best buy. They identify a toy they would like to buy, and gather comparative information from a store, a catalog, and three websites.
Curated OER
Japanese Religion (Shinto)
Fifth graders explore the relationship between the early Japanese religion of Shinto and the natural phenomena of Japan. They engage in Day 3 of the Warlords of Japan simulation.
Curated OER
Treaty Trail: Historical Perspectives Point of View
Learners research the point of view of key figures present at the Walla Walla Treaty council. Students analyze primary and secondary sources to determine how various groups of people involved in the treaty council viewed the events as...
Curated OER
Our community-in sculpture form
Young scholars design tiles that represent their community. They discuss ideas with another class through email. They then create the tiles, fire them, and attach them to a masonite board to create a community mural.
Curated OER
51st State
Students, in small groups, design a new state and create a brochure to present to an agency representative outlining the given information in the lesson. Students use templates in the compute lab to write sentences they have created...
Curated OER
Forced to Flee: Famine and Plague
Middle schoolers examine facts about the Irish Potato Famine and explore primary resources, such as newspaper articles, photographs, songs, and poems, related to the famine. Once research is complete, they create a small collage of...
National First Ladies' Library
Blunders on All Sides: The Battle of Bunker Hill
High schoolers investigate the concepts surrounding the historical battle of Bunker Hill while conducting online research using a variety of resources. The information is used in order to create a newspaper article telling about the...
Curated OER
The Election of Barack Obama 44th President of the United States
High schoolers consider the historic implications of Barack Obama's election. In this election of 2008 activity, students research Obama's accomplishments and determine how his election signifies the success of the American Civil Rights...
Curated OER
Money Management
Learners role play buying and selling items. For this economics lesson, students are given play money with which to purchase items, as well as value their own items for others to buy. Each student in the group works together to decide...
Facing History and Ourselves
How Do Others Define Your Identity?
Sixth graders examine the relationship between the individual and society. In this World History activity, learners read a book that discusses labels put on individuals. Students create a story board in relation to...
Facing History and Ourselves
What Aspects of Our Identities Do We Show to Others?
Sixth graders consider how they present their personal identities. In this character education lesson plan, 6th graders define themselves as they create masks that represent their personalities. Students share their masks and discuss...
Facing History and Ourselves
Who Are We?
Sixth graders explore the diversity of communities. In this community-building lesson, 6th graders compose biopoems and create a classroom exhibit entitled "Who am I? Who are We?"
Facing History and Ourselves
What is Community?
Sixth graders contrast communities with groups. In this community lesson, 6th graders read "What is Community?" and discuss attributes of communities that distinguish them from groups.
Facing History and Ourselves
How Do Communities Define We and They?
Learners consider the categorization of people. For this community identity instructional activity, 6th graders examine community membership definitions and consider how those outside of the group view themselves. Learners analyze The...