The Declaration of Independence was published in 1776. The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions, modeled after the Declaration of Independence, was drafted and read by Elizabeth Cady Stanton at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848....

While a woman didn't invent the parasol, three women received patents for their improvements to the original design of umbrellas. In the first of a two-part series on inventive women, class members investigate the patent system to...

Pupils investigate the history of unequal education in the United States and the impact on African American history. In this unequal history lesson, students discuss the purpose of education and describe an ideal school. Pupils...

Considering Carson McCullers' The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter for whole-class reading or as a selection for book circles? Check out this resource that overviews the organizational patterns, themes, plot structure, tone, and setting. 

Students explore the concept of non-violent resistance. In this political philosophies lesson, students study the political tactics of Mohandas Gandhi, Henry David Thoreau, and Martin Luther King, Jr. in order to discover how each of...

Students discuss the power of nonviolent resistance in terms of Dr. Martin Luther King and the boycotts that he led. In this nonviolent resistance lesson plan, students discuss their thoughts of nonviolent resistance and how they can use...

In this word scramble worksheet, students unscramble the 17 words that relate to Martin Luther King. Students then use the numbers for each letter to find the secret message.

Students read Gandhi and Dr. King's messages about nonviolence and discuss their visions about loving one's enemies. In this nonviolence instructional activity, students read Gandhi's "Ahimsa, or the Way of Nonviolence" and Dr. Martin...

Learners explore the concept of synergy. In this peace and tolerance lesson, students read sections of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Covey and then discuss how Gandhi and King mastered the art of synergy. Learners then...

Learners reflect on the experiences of young people involved with civil rights activism They analyze journalistic photographs and how to use a digital camera and basic digital photo editing techniques.

Fifth graders learn about two influential women.  For this historical figures lesson, 5th graders work in groups to read articles about Rosa Parks and Sarah Fleming and share their findings with the class.  Students use a Venn...

Students read, listen to, and/or view MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech. They analyze his use of literary devices and choose powerful words. Then they arrange them into original diamante poems, seven-line, diamond-shaped poems based on...

Students analyze a written document for position of writer and content, synthesize an historical position based upon document analysis and explain the events of Birmingham in 1963.

Key concepts, major writers, and historical events related to Transcendentalism are explored in a student-produced PowerPoint about this movement. The presentation could be used as an introduction to a unit or as a model that class...

Students examine literary elements in non-fiction literature. In this problem solving instructional activity, students read Rosa Parks, My Story and Beyond the Limits. Students make oral presentations based on the causes and effects,...

Prior to beginning Rosa Parks: My Story by Rosa Parks, model for your class members how to determine the main idea of a text. Exercepts from another story are provided to use for the demonstration. The focus then shifts to Rosa...

African American spirituals served as more than songs of religious praise during the years of slavery. "Go Down, Moses" is featured on a learning exercise that asks readers to respond to a series of short-answer prompts about the spiritual.

Radical Reconstruction, the 10-year period referred to after Congress passed the Reconstruction Act of 1867, saw the establishment of manhood suffrage, men voting without any racial qualifications. Southern states also rewrote their...

Can your class help the people of Nepal? Scholars take an in-depth look into the social injustices and struggling economy of a country in turmoil during a multi-day role-playing exercise. After reviewing information on the problems...

Your class hears a Native American Indian point of view of Europeans' arrival in Louisiana. They assess how cultural perspectives (especially an insider's view) and native language can shape a story. Each pupil identifies the...

Students explain the protections and privileges of individuals and groups in the United States.

In this Dr. Martin Luther King activity worksheet, students use the 43 clues to identify the words needed to complete the crossword puzzle.

In this literature worksheet, students respond to 6 short answer and essay questions about One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest. Students may also link to an online interactive quiz on the novel at the bottom of the page.

Ninth graders practice serial reciprocity. In this "Pay It Forward," lesson plan, 9th graders watch the film of the same name and discuss how it mirrors work by Martin Luther King, Jr. Students then discuss service projects they can...