US Institute of Peace
Identifying Conflict Styles
Are you a peace-keeper or a problem-solver? Explore conflict management styles through a lesson, fourth in a 15-part series, that combines individual assessment and collaborative work. Groups learn the basic tendencies of each style,...
Heritage Foundation
Courts and Judges
If the Supreme Court is so supreme, why do all cases not just start there? High schoolers learn why every case does not start at the Supreme Court as well as the importance of hierarchy in the US judicial system in the 11th installment...
Heritage Foundation
Procedural Amendments: Amendments III, IV, and V
So many US Constitution clauses, so little time. The 17th installment in a 20-part series teaches pupils about the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Amendments. Learning through activities such as group work, connecting to current events, and...
Heritage Foundation
Voting and the Constitution
How difficult was it for everyone to get voting rights? Understanding voting rights and the fight to get them for everyone in the United States can be tricky for some learners. However, they are clarified after engaging in the...
Federal Reserve Bank
Once Upon a Dime
The story of "Once Upon a Dime" starts like any other fairy tale, but it quickly becomes a story about the value of money and the economic system commonly used before it. Presented as a cartoon, the resource consists of dialogue between...
Curated OER
Justice and Kindness Play a Part: King Day
Middle schoolers recognize injustice in the world. For this social justice lesson, students discuss the responsibility they have to be advocates for justice and kindness and identify a time when they felt they were treated unfairly.
Curated OER
ON BECOMING A NONVIOLENT WARRIOR
Students examine the concept of non-violent social change. In this lesson on social change, students research and role play to demonstrate ways in which this might be accomplished while making connections to various events in history.
Curated OER
A Case Study of Racial Prejudice and Discrimination
Middle schoolers participate in a simulated form of discrimination as they divide into groups of blue-eyed and non-blue-eyed students. They reflect on their experiences during the role-play and compare their observations to the former...
National First Ladies' Library
Social Studies: Who Burned Down Barnum's Museum?
Learners examine the social conflict of the 19th century and the destruction of the American Museum. In pairs, they conduct Internet research and attempt to solve the mystery of who burned down the museum. Clues to the mystery are found...
Curated OER
The Role of the Musician and His Instruments in the Civil War
Fifth graders listen to and discuss the music of the Civil War Era in order to better explain society during this time period. They identify the musical instruments and write their own word to accompany the music of one of the songs.
Curated OER
Ch-Ch-Ching Cafe: Play Restaurant Make Change
Fourth graders make change by participating in a role-play restaurant activity. In this making change lesson, 4th graders use their math skills to compare prices and compute bills in a role play restaurant activity.
Curated OER
The Haitian Political Crisis: What Role Should the U.S. Play in Foreign Governments?
Students examine the political situation in Haiti. They share their opinions on the role the United States should play in foreign governments. They identify the causes of the turmoil in the country as well.
Curated OER
Roles of Virginians During Revolutionary War Era
Learners examine the various roles Virginians played during the Revolutionary War era. They participate in a jigsaw activity, reading an article and presenting information to their group. Students then complete a Venn diagram comparing...
Curated OER
The Nile: A Gift to Egypt
Sixth graders discover the Egyptian culture. In this Nile River instructional activity, 6th graders examine why the river is so important to Egypt.Students study the religions, geography and the people of Egypt. Students create an...
Curated OER
The Melting Of Bolivar and San Martin
Analyze and read a dramatic role-play depicting the meeting of Bolivar and San Martin. There are 3 critical-thinking questions based on the dramatic reading. A fun way to practice interpreting informational text.
Curated OER
Christopher's Crossing
In this lesson and game, the teacher supplies the initial instruction about Christopher Columbus. Then, through role-play and readings from their social studies book, students will learn about Columbus, discover his interest in a short,...
Curated OER
Cooperative Puzzles
Students discuss and demonstrate how to play and work cooperatively with other people and with a group. In small groups they role-play how to work cooperatively with each other, with the goal of completing their group's puzzle using...
BBC
Conflict
Middle schoolers take a close look at the different forms that bullying can take, and share their ideas of ways to stop bullying in schools. Learners get together in groups of three and come up with a scenario that depicts a...
BBC
Crime
Crime and punishment! Learners discuss the law, civics, and crime in the UK. They brainstorm lists of crimes and possible punishments, complete activities on a website, role-play a Juvenile Court scenario, and try to think of ways they...
Curated OER
Making Peace
Students examine how African societies view their family and ancestors and settle disputes. They create a spirit doll, and role-play conflict resolution using the ancestor figure dolls.
Curated OER
Cartels and Competition
Students work together in teams to role-play a cartel. Using that information, they all produce the same commodity and they are trying to make as much profit as possible. Each group completes a balance sheet and calculate the amount of...
Curated OER
Firestorms: The Bombing of Civilians in World War II
Learners examine the implication of civilian targets in war. In this World War II lesson, students investigate the history of bombing practices in war. Learners zero in on World War II bombing practices as they discuss precision and area...
Curated OER
Differences in Opinion
Learners get together in small groups to create a set of rules, such as how to respectfully express one's opinion, and how to respect other people's opinions, even if they differ from you own. Everyone role-plays, and attempts to use the...
Curated OER
Your turn to Vote
Students develop an understanding of the legislative process. They role play as legislators and witnesses commenting on the proposed bill.