Curated OER
Counting On Freedom
Young scholars examine the poem and artistic masterpiece The Quadroon Girl and use this knowledge to practice mathematical concepts such as: more than, less than, counting, and majority.
Rutgers University
African-Americans in WWII
Using transcripts of interviews of African-Americans who served in WWII, class members work in pairs to understand their experience. Prior to the group work, the teacher provides background on WWII and the African-American experience....
Curated OER
Trade in the Indian Ocean: Should China End Zheng He's Treasure Voyages?
Students examine the amount of trade that occurs in the Indian Ocean. Using China as an example, they discuss the reasons why it ended its treasure voyages in the area and predict what would have happened if the voyages continued. They...
Curated OER
Making Sense of the Census
Students problem solve the mean and median of agricultural data by completing a worksheet. They discuss the results of the statistical data.
Curated OER
The Talking Goat
Students read and analyze an African folktale. They read and discuss the folktale, analyze a map of Africa and Liberia, complete a worksheet, answer discussion questions, and analyze the patterns and analogies of the folktale.
Curated OER
The Battle of Corydon
Fourth graders study the Battle of Corydon, its military leaders, and its influence on the town. In this Battle of Corydon lesson plan, 4th graders develop vocabulary needed to complete the lesson plan, listen as the teacher reads The...
Curated OER
Abolishing Slavery
Students explain the goals and methods of the abolitionist movement.
They identify key leaders in the movement. This instructional activity has adaptations for elementary through high school. Links are provided for resource readings.
Curated OER
Miners of the Prairie: The Days of Shaft Mining in Northern Illinois
Students explore the life and times of a coal miner in Illinois through the analysis of primary source documents and images.
Curated OER
Poetry: A View of African American Life,
Fifth graders analyze many examples of African-American poetry and examine how different poems reflect the cultural experiences of African-Americans. The poems and spirituals chosen are very effective for public presentation.
Curated OER
African-American Iowans: History, contributions & Accomplishments.
Students explore lives of African-Americans in Iowa. Students will examine biographies and discuss perspectives of African-Americans. They will then create posters illustrating elements of those lives finally, putting on a five act play...
Curated OER
Defining moments from the past with lessons for a post-9/11 world...
Students examine extension ideas concerning 9/11, Defining Moments. They analyze a variety of Supreme Court cases, the U.S. Constitution, Mass Media Interpretations, Racism, Immigrant groups and U.S. geography. Many questions are asked...
Curated OER
Whispers from the Past
Students use various primary sources on the Internet to travel on the Underground Railroad
Curated OER
Building a Memorial to the Underground Railroad
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Underground Railroad instructional activity, students examine the attributes and function of the Underground Railroad...
Curated OER
Before Dred Scott: Freedom Suits in Antebellum Missouri
Students examine and analyze original documents that enhance understanding of antebellum slavery in Missouri and a particular method of gaining freedom: the freedom suit.
Curated OER
Counting Quilts
Learners view the Bird of Paradise quilt and observe the design-work in the quilt. In this counting quilt lesson, students will count to find repeated pictures in the quilt. Learners will represent their families in a quilt square.
Curated OER
Cinco de Mayo
Students investigate the Cinco de Mayo holiday. They discuss the history of Cinco de Mayo, listen to the Legend of the Mexican flag, color a worksheet of the Mexican flag, and create a class coat of arms.
Curated OER
Kensington Mansion: Plantation, Sharecroppers, Tenants
Eleventh graders investigate the significance of the Kensington Mansion. For this South Carolina history lesson, 11th graders take field trips to the mansion and research primary and secondary sources about plantations, sharecropping,...
Curated OER
5 Mother's Day Lessons and Activities
Students complete a craft project. In this Mother's Day lesson, students learn about Mother's Day around the world, write an essay about their mother, create a Mother's Day card, create coupons for meaningful time with their mothers and...
Curated OER
The Fact Finders
Young scholars analyze agricultural data and make predictions about events in history. In this history lesson, students correlate the relationship between historic events and issues in agriculture to see if there is a correlation. They...
Curated OER
American Music Styles - Lesson 1
Students describe some of the distinguishing characteristics of rock, folk, blues, and country music. They identify two main musical roots of today's American popular music.
Curated OER
The Talking Goat Lesson
Young scholars analyze the meanings and patterns of a folk tale. They respond in their reading journals to the following prompts: How do you feel about the way "The Talking Goat" ended? Why? Which did you like better: your group's...
Curated OER
Michigan History of Philanthropy
Students investigate how philanthropy began in Michigan. In this philanthropy lesson plan, students read Michigan History of Philanthropy and read a timeline of several events. Students create a picture with a sentence about a time when...
Curated OER
The Battle Over Reconstruction: The Politics of Reconstruction
High schoolers participate in a simulation as a Congress member to decide which policies to support in Reconstruction. In this Reconstruction era instructional activity, students read primary source documents to use as the basis for a...
Curated OER
Is Social Media a Trustworthy News Outlet?
Examine the role of social media in social and political uprisings. Pupils listen to NPR audio clips about social media and the Arab Spring and read an article that proposes the idea that revolution will not happen through social media....