Curated OER
Crater Creation
After looking at the back of a quarter featuring Oregon terrain, learners distinguish between fiction and non-fiction and identify the beginning, middle and end of a story. First, they listen to legends that describe the creation of...
K12 Reader
Gold Rush Boomtowns
The California Gold Rush sparked many people to try for their fortunes and led to the formation of some well-known California cities. Have your class read about the changes that happened and then respond to the five included questions.
Curated OER
Tortoise and Hare Races
Practice basic map skills with the story of The Tortoise and the Hare. After listening to the story, class members create a map that indicates the starting line, the path the animals took, where they stopped to rest, and the finish line....
Curated OER
Kodomo No Hi: Children's Day Celebration
Children's Day is a beloved Japanese holiday with many colorful and engaging traditions. On this national holiday celebrated yearly on May 5, children are honored for their strengths and given good wishes for happiness. Your younger...
Japan Society
Nature and the Environment in Postwar Japan
Japan has a complex relationship with the environment. Explore this relationship with your class through this resource. Included are thought questions, several activity ideas that range from writing, to discussion, to research, and an...
Curated OER
Barnyard Protest: Cows, Chickens & Fundamental Freedoms
Here is an ambitious and engaging lesson that should help elementary schoolers begin to develop a basic understanding of human rights. Pupils are asked to think about their own rights, the rights of others, and how an individual's voice...
Urban Education Exchange
Lessons and Units: The Watsons go to Birmingham—1963 5TH GRADE UNIT
Get ready to read The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 with a lesson about historical fiction. Spanning several centuries, the resource prompts learners to guess the historical era of a story based on a word or phrase in the text. In...
Institute for Humane Education
Not So Fair and Balanced: Analyzing Bias in the Media
Life is not always fair. Who's heard that before? This same concept moves to a larger scale using prejudice and bias. Pupils discuss where prejudice attitudes derive and how they develop throughout life. Reading comprehension...
Curated OER
Harry Potter: Upper Grades Activity
Students interpret symbols and metaphors from Harry Potter that refer to real-life political and social issues.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Your Family Does What?
Sixth graders compare and contrast their own personal culture with that of Japan. They fill out questionnaires, compile the results, and match them with Japanese answers to the same forms. Students create a Venn diagram of the...
Curated OER
Happy Family
In this family emotion worksheet, students draw a picture to illustrate something they do to make someone happy in their family. They complete a sentence by listing who their activity will make happy.
Curated OER
Social Studies: When in Rome...
Students conduct Internet research on selected countries. They simulate a business trip requiring airplane flights, car rentals, and hotel reservations. They present their virtual trips in written reports after sharing their findings...
Curated OER
Social Studies: In Search of Al Qaeda
Students discuss the themes in the documentary In Search of Al Qaeda. following a class discussion, they write responses to the statement, Information about Al Qaeda will never be completely accurate.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Public Sector Spending
Students watch a Powerpoint presentation on public spending. After a discussion, they compose a written comparison of the public sector spending plans of the three major British political parties.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Canadian City Comparison
Students research Canadian population distribution while comparing and contrasting the quality of life in two cities. They discuss issues and problems that cities and rural towns face. Students apply various methods, such as graphs and...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Indian Land Claims
Students examine the Maine Indian Land Claims Case and determine the equity of the settlement. In groups, they evaluate and defend various topics related to the case and complete worksheets clarifying their positions. After presenting...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Native american Tribal Sovereignty
Students examine the issue of tribal sovereignty for Native Americans. Following a mock trial simulation based on the case of Johnson v. McIntosh, they write opinion papers based on the results of the Supreme Court decision in 1823.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Exploring Japan
Fourth graders examine the culture and environment of Japan, beginning with a KWL chart. They use clay and cups of water to construct representations of the Japanese Islands. After designing flags representing farming and food, 4th...
Curated OER
Let's Make a Meal: A Study of Oats
Students investigate the history and health benefits of oats. In this food history and nutrition instructional activity, students describe the origin of oats in America, define nutrition related vocabulary, and read and follow recipes...
Curated OER
Book Report Activity
Learners analyze language arts by reading a book in class. In this book report lesson, students must read one of five selected books including 1984 and Lord of the Flies. Learners prepare a two page report and create a poster...
Curated OER
My Brother Sam is Dead: A study of the Revolutionary War
Fifth graders complete an analysis of the Revolutionary War through literature. After "My Brother Sam Is Dead," students create a time capsule containing items that would be relevant during the Revolutionary War. They identify key...
Curated OER
Japan Writing Activity
Seventh graders explore the current tensions in Asia by completing a graphic organizer. For this Asian politics lesson, 7th graders examine a Powerpoint slide and news article which gives them the information needed to fill in their...
Curated OER
Who's in Charge of This Animal?
Eleventh graders study wildlife management and identify the appropriate government agencies that are in charge. They examine different wildlife management techniques. They write a letter showing interest in the activities of one of the...
Curated OER
Computer Activities: Countries of the World
Students research a country. In this research and computers lesson, students select a country and research various aspects about it including the capital city, the flag and fun facts. Students create slides about their country and then...