Curated OER
Winter Holidays
Young scholars investigate the traditions associated with winter holidays. They examine why most of the holidays are associated with light. They examine the origins and customs of these holidays before creating an original holiday.
Curated OER
Happy Birthday to You
Students explore how people celebrate traditional holidays in various cultures. They participate in activities that are used to celebrate birthdays in different cultures. Students analyze the celebrations.
Curated OER
Harvest Happenings
Young scholars explore the history of agriculture and develop a personal connection to agriculture. Students investigate how farming practices have evolved through the years and create poetry relating to harvest.
Curated OER
Learning By Looking: Pueblo Indian Ceremonial Dances
Students investigate the uses of ceremonial dance in the Pueblo Indian culture by viewing videos of native dances. They listen to folk tales that explain the dances and compare the traditions of the Pueblo culture to their own culture....
Curated OER
Storytelling: Using the arts to enrich the curriculum
Young scholars examine storytelling in a cross curricular unit. Language arts, social studies, science and math are all incorporated in this project as well as technology through the use of Hyperstudio.
Curated OER
The Chemistry of Black Pottery
Sixth graders create pottery out of black clay using traditional methods. They demonstrate appropriate Native American cultural traditions related to the making of black pottery, including prayers to Mother Earth and Clay Woman.
Curated OER
Social Studies: African Clothing Tour
Pupils identify examples of African clothing for casual and special occasions. After the teacher models types of African garb, they brainstorm reasons why people wear certian types of dress. They view pictures of various African types...
Curated OER
A Tour Through China
Students explore the culture, development, inventions, and geography of China in the seven lessons of this unit. The teachings of Confucius are examined and the celebrations for the Chinese New Year are inspected.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Kyrgyzstan Bride Kidnappings
Learners examine the Kyrgyzstan bride kidnappings and compare wedding traditions there with those in the United States. They explain these differences and similarities in a fictitious letter to a peer in Kyrgyzstan.
Curated OER
More Folk Songs
First graders explain that texts of folk music are handed down by tradition. They sing two folk songs.
Curated OER
Rusyns Survive Time in Central & Eastern Europe
Tenth graders study the different ethnicities in Europe. In this Eastern Europe ESL lesson, 10th graders read an article and complete guided questions. Students participate in a debate.
Curated OER
Blogging Baseball
Student identify differences between terms oral tradition and folklore as they relate to history of Negro Leagues baseball players, and research and post oral traditions and folklore findings on class blog.
Curated OER
A Cultural Palette
High schoolers examine pieces of music and art that represent who they are. They study Haitian culture and traditions by performing the musical production "Once on the Island." They watch and discuss the film "The Nature of Music."
Curated OER
Marking the Pope's Death
Students discuss the value of memorials and design their own to commemorate the death of the Pope or another religious leader. They compare memorial rituals around the world in a writeen exercise.
Curated OER
Ta he thaw nu ha la tu-Traditional Oneida Song
Learners practice singing a traditional Oneida song. They discuss the meaning in both the English and Oneida languages and how the words to this song demonstrate important feelings for the Oneida people.
Curated OER
Tapping the Trees-Traditional Oneida Song
Students practice singing the song, Tapping the Trees. They discuss the meaning in both the English and Oneida languages and how the words to this song demonstrate important feelings for the Oneida people.
Curated OER
Family Life Around the Globe
First graders examine customs of other nations and compare countries using Venn diagrams. They also write pen pal letters and e-mails to students in other countries.
Curated OER
Celebrate You
First graders locate place of birth on a map. They identify their birthdays and place a graphing square with their birthday written on it under the corresponding month. They compare birthdays on the graph. They read "P.B. Bear's Birthday...
Curated OER
The Inuit Society-- The Importance of Tradition
Students conduct research at the Inuit perspective website to explore the life and culture of the modern day Inuit.
Curated OER
Family
Students draw a picture of something they enjoy doing with their family, or something special about their family. Students share their pictures with the class, and then they will be displayed in the classroom.
Columbia University
Columbia University Libraries Digital Program: Chinese Paper Gods
From the Columbia University Libraries Digital Program, this is an online article discussing the Anne S. Goodrich collection of Chinese Paper Gods donated to the nuniversity.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Anishinabe Ojibwe Chippewa: Culture
Though written for grades 3-5, this lesson plan can be easily changed to help learners of all ages learn about the Chippewa people. Additional resources provide historical, cultural, and geographical facts concerning this Native American...
University of Calgary
University of Calgary: Varieties of Orthodox Judaism
Discusses the motivations for forming the Orthodox movement. Lists issues which the Orthodox and other Jews view differently. Provides diagram of the different sects of Orthodox Judaism.
University of Calgary
University of Calgary: Conservative Judaism
Covers history of the development of the Conservative movement. Also discusses major beliefs of conservative Jews.