Unit Plan
University of Pittsburgh

The Old Folks at Home

For Students 9th - 10th
This website provides in-depth information on "The Old Folks at Home," a song written by Stephen Foster and performed by Christy's Minstrels. Includes information on the meaning and significance of "Old Folks at Home" and a history of...
eBook
University of Pittsburgh

Rigspula: The Lay of Rig

For Students 9th - 10th
A translation of the Nordic poem, "The Lay of Rig," taken from the "Poetic Edda," one of the few existing pieces of Old Norse literature. This section of the Edda describes how the Norse social classes were created.
Website
University of Pittsburgh

Germanic Myths, Legends, and Sagas: Gefion's Home Page

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Following a brief explanation of who Gefion was in Norse mythology, there are two translated excepts from old Norse texts which describe particular events in which Gefion was involved.
Website
University of Pittsburgh

Germanic Myths, Legends, and Sagas: The Blue Belt, a Folktale From Norway

For Students 9th - 10th
This Norse folktale seems to be based on the myth about Thor's belt of strength. Here, in a much later version, a boy uses the blue belt he finds to outwit a troll.
Website
University of Pittsburgh

Germanic Myths, Legends, and Sagas: Thor, the Viking Thunder God

For Students 9th - 10th
Four myths about the Norse god, Thor, are available here, as well as other information about the worship of Thor in old Scandinavia.
Activity
University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburg: The Gore Vidal Index

For Students 9th - 10th
This extensive and thorough site maintained by University of Pittsburgh faculty member Harry Kloman contains an overview of Gore Vidal's life and career, reviews of his novels, reviews of several books about Vidal, and links to a variety...
Website
University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh: France in the Great War

For Students 9th - 10th
A complete web site on France in World War I. A list of clickable links to more specific topics such as an atlas of France's military or posters from the war. Some of them are in French.
Website
University of Pittsburgh

U of Pitt: Medieval Mont Saint Michael

For Students 9th - 10th
A great site for photos inside and out of Mont Saint Michael. You will also get a map with the location of the Mont marked. Also, there is a great page with plans and drawings of Mont Saint Michael.
Website
University of Pittsburgh

Ch.2: The Solo Dancers: Isadora Duncan

For Students 9th - 10th
Biographical information about dancer Isadora Duncan; includes the techniques she studied, her dance company, her philosophy, her fame and innovations in dance.
Website
University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh: X Ray Crystallography Lab

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the University of Pittsburgh crystallography departments home page. The site has links to programs, facilities, research, etc.
eBook
University of Pittsburgh

The Grimm Brothers' Children's and Household Tales

For Students 9th - 10th
This site has a list of the Grimm Brother's 210 fairytales. Many of the tales have a link to the telling of the tale, as well as related links.
Graphic
University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh: Images of Medieval Art

For Students 9th - 10th
This clickable image of the front facade of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Reims allows students to view enlarged details of the gothic statuary. There is also a link to a representation of medieval Reims.
Website
University of Pittsburgh

Center for American Music Stephen Foster's Career

For Students 9th - 10th
This University of Pittsburgh site provides a wealth of information about American songwriter Stephen Foster. This link discusses his professional career with various other links within the text about minstrel shows, etc. Return to the...
Article
University of Pittsburgh

Center for American Music: Minstrelsy

For Students 9th - 10th
This site explains the origin of the minstrel show and how it evolved over the decades.
Graphic
University of Pittsburgh

Digital Research Library: Visuals for Foreign Language Instruction

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This site contains hundreds of illustrations that can be used to support instructional tasks such as describing objects and people (i.e., teaching vocabulary) or describing entire events and situations (i.e., teaching grammar).
Website
University of Pittsburgh

Cinderella

For Students Pre-K - 1st Standards
Sixteen different versions of the Cinderella fairy tale from around the world. Some of the countries include: Norway, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Serbia, Denmark, and Vietnam.
Lesson Plan
University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh: Leaders: Word Building

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st Standards
This lesson walks teachers through a strategy for teaching word building skills to early elementary students. The site includes links to a page on preparing the materials needed for word building lessons, and to a page which explains the...
Handout
University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburg: Communicating Behaviors for Effective Work Groups

For Students 9th - 10th Standards
Successful working groups are marked by a range of different communication behaviors-actions people do with words and gestures, which they can practice and improve over time. This site lists seven behaviors to improve communication in...
Lesson Plan
University of Pittsburgh

Center for American Music Library: Civil War Homefront

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
A great lesson plan using Stephen Foster's music and lyrics to show what life was like on the homefront during the Civil War.
Website
University of Pittsburgh

Univ. Of Pitt: Glossary of Medieval Art and Architecture

For Students 9th - 10th
Here at the University of Pittsburgh is a definition, a list of parts, and a diagram for an arch.
Activity
University of Pittsburgh

Center for American Music: Stephen Foster Chronology

For Students 9th - 10th
This is a timeline of the life of songwriter, Stephen Foster. Very good as a quick reference to the major events of his life, as well as major events that were going on during his time. Also provides events that are not during Foster's...
Primary
University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh: National Seclusion Act of 1636

For Students 9th - 10th
Provides the actual text of the Japanese Closed Country Edict of 1636 (known as the Sakoku).
Website
University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh: Richard Feynman on Teaching

For Students 9th - 10th
This site features an excerpt of Dr. Feynman's views on teaching and research from his book, "'Surely You're Joking Mr. Feynman!' Adventures of a Curious Character".
Handout
University of Pittsburgh

University of Pittsburgh: Charles Perrault's Mother Goose Tales

For Students 9th - 10th
Charles Perrault gave these tales "literary legitimacy" when he wrote them down and published them. Read about Perrault and read his stories that swept across England in the 1800s.