Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Architecture

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students study tessellations and the work of M.C. Escher. They discuss the terminology of architecture, the historical significance of architecture in different parts of the world, and create their own piece of architecture out of...
Lesson Plan
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Nureyev: After Petipa

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine dance and choreography in Russian history. In this Russian history lesson, students discover details about Russian ballet and the work of Marius Petipa as they conduct independent research and present their findings to...
Lesson Plan
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The Amazing Maud Lewis

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Students investigate cultural art from Canada by reading about Maud Lewis.  In this Canadian history instructional activity, students identify the work of Lewis by visiting her magazine website.  Students identify other heroes...
Lesson Plan
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It's Not Conjecture, Look! It's Architecture!

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students examine how architecture reflects historical time periods. They conduct research on the History Detectives website, complete a fact sheet, sequence photographs of different architectural styles, and create an illustration of a...
Lesson Plan
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Describe My City

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the functions of cities by creating a visual image of their own neighborhood. Students diagram, list, and label the major businesses and cultural areas of the neighborhood where they grew up, then write a letter...
Lesson Plan
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Drawing Political Cartoons

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars draw political cartoons. In this editorial cartoons activity, students discover the history of the cartoons in America, analyze some cartoons, and then draw their own cartoons that make social statements.
Lesson Plan
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Living Legacies

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the contemporary commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., research the positive impact another famous person has had on society and the images that best represent the actions and beliefs of that person.
Lesson Plan
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Through the Lens of Robert Capa

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars use Guided Reading techniques to learn about Capa's style and to discover the techniques that made him a great photographer. Students examine the basics of telling compelling stories through photos and each student creates...
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Civil War: Face Jug

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine African American art. For this African American history lesson, students research face jugs created by African American freedmen after they watch a video about the artifact and its significance. Students then create...
Lesson Plan
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Responsibility

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders make posters.  In this good citizens lesson, 2nd graders read Arthur's Pet Business, discuss the examples of good citizenship, share their responsibilities, and make responsibility posters.
Lesson Plan
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My Own Cultural Traditions

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students complete a worksheet on personal traditions. In this cultural traditions activity, students discuss what a cultural tradition is and why they are important to the members of the culture. Students distinguish between cultural...
Lesson Plan
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Secrets of the Parthenon

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students take a closer look at the Parthenon. In this world monument lesson, students watch PBS video segments about the reconstruction of the Parthenon in Greece. Students research how the ancient Greeks built the structure and discuss...
Lesson Plan
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Wonders Of The World

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore wonders of the world. In this ancient civilizations lesson, students create criteria for naming ancient wonders of the world and then use the criteria to evaluate wonders of world since the original list. Students create...
Lesson Plan
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Wartime Posters

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students recognize that, America's eventual involvement in World War II, not everyone initially agreed that intervention was the answer. They conduct research about the political, economic, sociological, and historical factors in the...
Lesson Plan
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Discovering Russian Folk Dance

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore the art of Russian folk dancing. For this cultural traditions lesson, 1st graders research the Troika and incorporate attributes of the Russion folk dance into their own renditions.
Lesson Plan
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A Nation of Many Cultures

For Teachers K - 5th
Students create a presentation about themselves to share with the class. They include information from their family and their heritage. They compare and contrast their culture to their classmates.
Lesson Plan
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AFRICAN-AMERICAN POETRY BEFORE EMANCIPATION

For Teachers 8th
Explore poetry written by African-Americans before emancipation. 8th graders create collages, and explain why they chose specific stanzas. They display the collages on the class bulletin board that demonstrate an understanding of the...
Lesson Plan
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The Political Dr. Seuss

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners discuss the role political cartoons have played in U.S. politics and public affairs since the 1700's. They analyze some of the political cartoons Dr. Seuss drew during World War II and discuss how these cartoons conveyed his...
Lesson Plan
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Get Ready, Get Set, Get Organized! Lesson 2 of 2

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders examine the importance of being organized when making transitions. In this organization lesson, 7th graders watch a teacher demonstration of entering a room in a disorganized manner before discussing how the transition...
Lesson Plan
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Title of Segment: Balance of Trade

For Teachers 2nd - 12th
Students take a closer look at the balance of trade. In this current events lesson plan, students watch PBS video clips about American trade with China. Students research Chinese production and consumerism in order to determine...
Lesson Plan
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Like Comparing Bison and Fish

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the development of North American Indian cultures by looking at how geography impacted their development. They write a five paragraph essay comparing the Plains Indians and the Clatsop Indians.
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Community and Me

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Learners continue to examine the concept of communities. In groups, they identify and create a list of their needs and wants and create artwork showing their community working properly. They describe the differences in communities...
Lesson Plan
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Oregon Trail Art

For Teachers K - 6th
Students describe events that happened on the Oregon Trail and in the daily lives of Native Americans by writing a narrative essay of a family traveling through Nebraska based on Thomas Hart Benton's paintings.
Lesson Plan
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Ceramics and Patterns with Islamic Roots and the Effect on Christian Europe

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine a variety of ceramic pieces and trace their route through China into Europe. As a class, they discuss how ideas and patterns were carried along with the art itself. To end the lesson, they write a report on the...