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Oregon Trail Diary
Young scholars pretend they are on the Oregon Trail and keep a diary of their adventures. In this Oregon Trail lesson plan, students write about their decisions to move, crossing rivers, buying supplies, and more.
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Crossing the Oregon Trail
Students become familiar with the sacrifices that the migrants endured crossing the plains to the west. They experience some of the problem solving that the pioneers faced and pay the natural consequences of their choices.
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Dia de los Muertos
Second graders research the Day of the Dead, an important Mexican holiday. They view videos, investigate Mexican geography and history and compare the Day of the Dead to the celebration of Halloween.
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Australia: Aboriginal Religion
Students compare and contrast Christianity and the religion of the Aborigines in Australia. In this Aboriginal religion lesson, students discuss the creation story of the Aborigines and discuss the "dreamtime." ...
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Unique Family Traditions
Second graders examine unique family traditions. In this family tradition instructional activity, 2nd graders listen to a book about immigration. They interview a family member to determine where their ancestors came from and choose an...
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We the People (Cultural Research)
Fourth graders conduct cultural research, collect oral histories using tape recorders and cameras, and share their ancestral heritage with classmates through family heirlooms and ethnic foods.
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Modern Day Pilgrims
Eleventh graders explore how modern day immigrants may be pilgrims in their own respect. They learn what immigrants and pilgrims are, and be assigned to demonstrate learning about an immigrant in their ancestry.
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Family Trees
Students trace their family history back to their great-grandparents and examine where their family is from and what types of jobs their ancestors had. They also define different terms used to describe family relations such as...
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Community Heritage
Students discuss cultural issues in their community. In this cultural lesson, students meet a local Hispanic activist and discuss current issues in the community.
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Nyon Nea Mask Dan, Liberia & Ivory Coast
Students create nyon nea masks. For this African art lesson, students design and create nyon nea-style hats that demonstrate beauty as used by the Dan.
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Archeological Finds
Students explore archeology and it contributions to human history. They write a magazine article describing the discovery of a dig.
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Rites of Passage: Initiation Masks in French Speaking Black Africa
Students examine African cultures through the study of masks in the initiation ceremonies in French speaking black Africa. They analyze masks, and create their own masks.
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Home Ties
Students explore the reasons people choose to migrate including political, economic and familial motivations. They interview family members and compare their ancestors own reasons for migration to those of African American urban migrants.
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Lincoln, the Great Emancipator?
Young scholars examine the motivating factors that prompted Lincoln to draft the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. They examine Lincoln's social and political beliefs, particularly as they pertained to slavery and race in the United...
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Immigration in the United States from 1880-1910
Eleventh graders explore, examine and study immigration in the United States from 1880-1910. They identify different aspects of the American immigration movement. Each student also shares where their ancestors are from and their...
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Current Connections
Students recognize that history can be easily altered and changed, and consider ways to prevent deceptions about the Holocaust. They create class quilt that shows how to create harmony, understanding and tolerance of others.
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Discovering My Family History
Students research their family trees. They research Internet sites, conduct interviews and, when possible, access primary sources to compile information about their family's history. Students present their findings in a family tree.
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Divination Bag: Yoruba, Nigeria
Students create divination bags. In this visual arts lesson, students study the beliefs of the Yoruba people of Africa. Students design and create divination bags in the style of the Yoruba people.
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An Introduction to Shamanism
Learners investigate Inuit customs. In this cultural traditions instructional activity, students read about religious customs of the Inuit including Shamanism. Learners discuss the role of Shaman and create Inuktitut-English dictionaries...
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Our Country's People, Lesson One
For this culture, history, and traditions review worksheet, students respond to 7 multiple choice questions regarding cultural geography.
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Family Heritage
Students respond with at least one statement to each of the four questions dealing with families in a carousel brainstorming activity and draw a picture of what they think of when the term "families" is mentioned.
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Our Country's People Crossword Puzzle
In this US citizens worksheet, students complete a crossword puzzle by answering 19 clues. They use words from a word bank at the bottom of the puzzle, which includes ancestor, citizen, government, president, and immigrant.
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No Choice!
Students explore the concept of democratic freedom. In this service learning instructional activity, students investigate the freedom the Pilgrims sought as they moved from England and write a journal from their point of view.
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Oral Genealogy
Learners research their family histories by conducing interviews with parents and grandparents. They put their histories into a chant or a chart/family tree and present it to their class.