Curated OER
A Look at Exclusion Through Improvisation
Building a realistic understanding of the trials Jews suffered during WWII isn't always easy. This plan employs student constructed dramatic freeze frame scenes to help build a deeper understanding of Jewish Ghettos, concentration camps,...
National Gallery of Art
The First African American Regiment
Young historians examine a memorial sculpture of the first African American regiment in the Civil War, and then compare how the experiences of the regiment are portrayed in letters and poetry, as well as in the motion...
Curated OER
The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Ninth graders visit the US Holocaust Museum to witness the actions of the Nazis against the Jews during World War II. A great lesson if you are located near the museum or are planning a trip to the DC area.
Curated OER
Teamwork Towers
Students work in a cooperative groups to create a free standing tower of straws and pins in ten minutes. They watch a video of the cooperative groups working, discuss the process and list the things they could do to improve the cooperation.
ARKive
Galapagos Conservation
The Galapagos Islands inspired Darwin to develop his theory of evolution. These wonderful islands will also be the topic of a lesson on habitat and conservation. In small groups, learners will collect and synthesize information regarding...
Curated OER
From The Great War To The Great Depression
Discover details about 1920's America. In this American history lesson, middle schoolers read From the Great War to the Great Depression. Students then research famous Americans from the time period and present their findings to their...
Curated OER
"The Merchants of Cool"
Why are so many advertisements geared towards the teenage population? Watch a video with your class (link included), and have them fill out the attached listening guide. Then discuss persuasion, presenting biased information, and where...
Curated OER
Sumerian Creativity
Sixth graders examine Sumerian inventions. Using the internet, 6th graders view images of the inventions and create a poster of the images. They create a PowerPoint presentation, with video clips, of Sumerian inventions to share with the...
Curated OER
Think of an Ending
Good endings are hard to find. And write. This, the final lesson plan in a six-part series devoted to study of the ingredients of a good story, focuses on crafting endings. Class members draft ideas about what should happen to each of...
Curated OER
Native Americans - Searching for Knowledge and Understanding
What do you know about American Indians? Upper graders compose an informational essay based on the research they conduct. They choose a Native American group to study and, using the provided list of web links, gather information and...
Curated OER
Coney Island
Students examine the use of historic and archival photos and films while they study the history of Coney Island. They participate in critical viewing activities and discuss what they see to make decisions based on historic visuals.
Curated OER
State Sovereignty and the Ethics of Intervention
Learners study the history, ethics, politics and law of state sovereignty and its limits. In this investigative lesson students listen to a lecture, discuss then complete a few assignments.
Curated OER
Good and Evil
Young scholars examine the art of Henry Darger as an impetus to discuss the concepts of good and evil. They investigate why people have been fascinated with good and evil from biblical times to the present.
Curated OER
Fancy a Walk?
Students examine the causes and effects of vertigo. In this personal health lesson, students watch 2 Red Cross video segments that feature a walkway in Spain. Students discuss vertigo and respond to discussion questions about the video...
Curated OER
Defining Biology
Sixth graders engage in a brainstorming activity in which they predict what the next grade level or subject matter curriculum offer. They write and draw a picture about their predictions.
Curated OER
Great Escape
Students view a television program that explores the influence and importance of film's contribution to the rise of global culture. They discuss and write about the movies' influence in their own lives and compare and contrast different...
Curated OER
Moving Voices
Students create films in which they depict to others what they want them to know about their community or school. They create films with different themes including social studies, geography and government. They work together to produce...
Curated OER
Kansas in the Movies, the Cold War Period
Young scholars are instructed using a cross curricular type of lesson. The time period that they focus upon is the founding of the Soviet Union as a superpower in the world after WWII. The rise of communism is also taken into consideration.
Curated OER
Confederation II : the Sequel
Students examine the dynamics and challenges of creating a system of government that meet the needs of a changing, diverse population, for a new country. This is a nice simulation/role play of the formation of government.
Curated OER
The Role of the Media
Students analyze the role of media in the Gulf War after watching a video series. They participate in a small group simulating a specific group from the film. They discuss issues with their group and then participate in a whole class...
Curated OER
You Choose the News
Pupils investigate the process used in choosing the news. They serve as guest editors and select newsworthy stories for the evening news program. Students explore how news is selected by editors and gain insight into the making of the TV...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Underground Railroad
Students role-play as escaped slaves making their way from North Carolina to Canada, stopping in Indiana. They track their journeys on maps and include a stop at Harriet Tubman's. Students write three paragraphs about how Tubman aids...
Curated OER
Now That's Beautiful!
Your class experiences dozens of messages about beauty every day by reading magazines, watching movies, and listening to the radio. Have them analyze society's view of beauty in groups after discussing several resources, including...
Minnesota Literacy Council
Grapes of Wrath and Pronouns
Many regard John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath as the great American novel. The lesson plan combines a variety of strategies, including partner work, independent practice, creative writing, grammar instruction, and small group...