Curated OER
Partners for the Common Good: One Day
Fourth graders explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, 4th graders compare for profit and nonprofit organizations. Students explore nonprofit organizations in their community and discuss their philanthropic...
Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary
Benjamin Franklin, Working for the Common Good
Young scholars examine Benjamin Franklin's community service in Philadelphia. In this American history famous heroes instructional activity, learners make text-to-self-and-world connections between the Philadelphia community service...
Curated OER
How Do We Spend, Save, and Donate?: Penny Drive
Students explore the power of money. In this philanthropy lesson, students investigate how money is used in society. Students record data regarding money patterns on graphic organizers.
Curated OER
Native Americans and Giving
Young scholars explore the concept of philanthropy. In this Brother Eagle, Sister Sky: The Words of Chief Seattle lesson, students examine the plight of Native Americans and explore Native Americans' quest for the "common good."
Curated OER
Small Actions with Big Results
Students explore philanthropy in literature. In this literature lesson, students read text from three different genres that all have a moral. Students compare and contrast these pieces of literature, focusing on the character traits that...
The New York Times
A Guide to Political Donations
Voters determine the outcome of elections, but campaign donors can influence the attitudes of those voters. Explore nine examples of donors and the amounts of money they want to contribute, and the legal ways the groups can or cannot...
Center for Civic Education
Citizenship Schools and Civic Education During the Civil Rights Movement and in the Present
Your young historians will discover the importance that citizenship education has played in the social progress of the United States as they learn about early efforts to discourage African Americans from voting in the 1960s.
Berkshire Museum
The Three Life-Giving Sisters: Plant Cultivation and Mohican Innovation
Children gain first-hand experience with Native American agriculture while investigating the life cycle of plants with this engaging experiment. Focusing on what the natives called the Three Sisters - corn, beans, and squash - young...
National Constitution Center
Thirteenth Amendment Poster
President Lincoln believed in the Thirteenth Amendment so strongly that he signed 14 copies of it, but died before he could see it passed on December 18, 1965. Explore the text that forever abolished slavery in America with a document...
Therapist Aid
What is Bullying?
What is the definition of bullying, and how can you deal with it? Elementary and middle schoolers discuss verbal, physical, social, and cyberbullying before talking about strategies to avoid and stop bullying in their school.
Curated OER
Art for the Common Good: Junkanoo!
Students explore characteristics of effective group work. In this multi-cultural social studies lesson, students work in teams to design and construct a headdress similar to what would be worn during the Bahamian festival of Junkanoo....
Freeology
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream"
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech "I Have A Dream" is hailed as one of the most eloquent and moving speeches of the 20th century. But what makes his words hit his listeners' ears in just the right ways? Young orators study Dr. King's...
Curated OER
Social Studies--Important People/Groups of the Holocaust
Students take the personas of eight different groups of people involved in the Holocaust. In this lesson plan about the Holocaust, students view "The Rise and Fall of Adolph Hitler" students view and discuss the video, focusing on...
Reading Through History
Ain't I a Woman?
Sojourner Truth’s “Ain’t I a Woman?” speech has reverberated through American history, giving voice to women of color who had not previously been heard. Learners analyze the tone, audience, purpose, occasion, and speaker of the speech’s...
Curated OER
Philanthropy in A Christmas Carol
Students explore philanthropy in literature. In this cross curriculum literacy and character development lesson, students read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and note charitable acts described in the story. Students relate story...
Curated OER
My Top Interdisciplinary Social Studies Lesson Plans
Here are some top social studies lesson plans and activities which present concepts in a memorable fashion.
City University of New York
Electoral College
A presidential election is a lot like the 2004 World Series, and it's also a lot like choosing an orange in a paper bag. Apply the process of the electoral college to these two analogies with a set of lessons about government...
Missouri Department of Elementary
How Do I Act Like a Friend?
Familiar puppets set the stage for a thoughtful discussion about friendship. To show what they know, scholars role-play scenarios. Peers offer a thumbs up when they view positive character traits exhibit good friend behavior.
Curated OER
Global Health Issues
Examine global health issues and the philanthropic efforts of Bill Gates. Working in groups, your class will research selected diseases focusing on symptoms, transmission, and prevention. They also conclude by writing grant proposals to...
National Geographic
Rivers and the Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Project
Damming rivers has been a case of necessity versus negative environmental impact since the process began. Kids take on the role of a stakeholder in the proposed damming of the Danube River. They begin by reading arguments for and against...
Curated OER
Philanthropy and You
Pupils identify human rights and study the values of historical figures who fought for human rights. In this human rights lesson, students define the term human rights and research examples of human mistreatment in history. Pupils study...
Curated OER
Michigan History of Philanthropy
Middle schoolers investigate how philanthropy began in Michigan. In this philanthropy lesson, students read Michigan History of Philanthropy and read a timeline of several events. Middle schoolers create a picture with a sentence about a...
Curated OER
Introduction to Philanthropy-Recognizing Good Citizenship and Philanthropy in Our Community
Students explore the term philanthropy and recognize it in everyday situations. They list three philanthropic activities occurring in their own home, in their classroom, or in their school. Students identify at least one act they might...
Curated OER
Respect for Self and Others-Giving and Getting the Big R
Seventh graders work in groups of three. They plan scenarios in which they demonstrate inappropriate and appropriate interpersonal skills in a variety of social situations. Students assume the roles of the individuals in their scenario...