“Humanscape No.65” by Melesia Casas and Ester Hernandez’s “Sun Maid Raisins” launch a study of how works of art can advocate for social change. After examining these two works and discussing the human rights issues raised, class members...

Middle schoolers identify a topic for an open-ended question and evaluate the question. After developing ideas that lead to inquire, they investigate and research this topic on the Internet, and then create an iMovie.

Fifth graders analyze the Mayan culture. In this Mayan culture lesson, 5th graders study the Mayan culture noting similarities and differences between the Mayan culture and their own. Students examine hieroglyphic writing and the Mayan...

Discover the origins and traditions of Halloween with a crafty lesson plan! Second graders create bats, monsters, witches, and ghosts with masks and puppets. Next, they share their work with their classmates in a fun...

Students study creation myths. For this Meso American culture lesson, students research Aztec and Mayan creation myths. Students then compare the myths to the creation story of the Bible and share their findings with their classmates.

The Massacre of Tlatelolco is the focus of a discussion-based instructional activity. Civil-minded learners consider the nature of student movements that have ended in violence based on over-reaction and government oppression. They...

Fifth graders read and research the effects of the Spanish Conquistadors on the New World. Then they break into small groups and play a game of Jeopardy, using the facts that they have learned.

Students learn the history of Christianity in New Spain. They learn the story and significance of the Virgin of Guadalupe. They compare and contrast images of the Virgin and religious art to European counterparts.

Fifth graders complete activities with Chapter 9 of the book The Fastest Pig in the West by Randi Hacker. In this literature activity, 5th graders discuss the concept of saving face and how it affects the main character's decisions....

Did you know that tomatoes are the world’s most popular fruit? Did you know that tomatoes are related to the deadly nightshade plant? Using red plates and brads, your researchers record tomato facts on a pie chart and create a Turning...

Young scholars examine contemporary examples of sacrifice while listing the reasons and benefits of these acts. They discuss the idea of when a sacrifice is a violation of human rights. They write a personal goal to make a small sacrifice.

Sixth graders explore the history of Christopher Columbus.  In this World History lesson, 6th graders research facts about Christopher Columbus.  Students write their own opinion about Columbus's background focusing on three...

Pupils use RAFT prompts to write about Mayan society. In this instructional activity on Mayan culture, students research and then explain the Mayan hierarchy and social structure. As a culminating activity each student will write a...

Fifth graders complete a variety of activities surrounding European exploration of the New World. They research one explorer and write and present an essay or script in which they portray that explorer as he makes his final report to his...

Third graders study sayings and phrases, poetry and stories in this month's activities.

Learners read stories, look at maps, and write journal entries to learn about the language and artwork of Nahuatl culture. In this Nahuatl culture lesson plan, students research the Nahuatl culture and present their findings.

Students research the different animals of Mexico. They read an informational handout, discuss the various animals and habitats, and match animals with their habitats on a worksheet.

Students investigate U.S. history by researching the Internet and taking a test. In this American Indian group lesson, students identify the many specific Native American tribes and their geographic locations. Students research the web...

Students investigate Mayan Numbers. In this algebra lesson, students compare our number system to the number system of the Mayans. They identify base 10 and base 20 numbers including zero in the Mayan symbols. They solve a Mayan problem.

Students skip count with sunflower seeds. In this interdisciplinary lesson, students discuss the history of sunflowers. Students count by 1's, 2's, and 10's with bags full of sunflower seeds.

Students examine a website devoted to sharing smallpox facts. They are to focus on the history of the diesease, how to prevent it and the pathology involved. They discover information about the smallpox vaccine and how it can be used as...

Students close their eyes and picture the sky. They are asked to brainstorm things they may see in the course of a night and day, such as the movement of the sun, moon, and stars. Students work in groups to coduct their research. They...

Students determine the reasons for Francisco Pizarro's success in vanquishing the Incas. They research the factors that played the greatest role in the conquest of the Inca Empire and write a paper explaining their conclusions.

Students work in groups to present a segment of a timeline of events and discoveries in astronomy. In this astronomy lesson plan, students teach their classmates about their section of the timeline.