National Endowment for the Humanities
How to Win a World War
High schoolers are have begun to learn the art of diplomacy with each other, but do they understand how diplomacy works at a global level? The second in a series of four lessons, guides scholars in evaluating primary sources. The why...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Character in Place: Eudora Welty’s “A Worn Path” for the Common Core
How do writers use the interaction between elements like characterization and setting to create meaning? Readers of "A Worn Path" create a series of comic book-style graphics of Eudora Welty's short story and reflect on how Welty uses...
Curated OER
Rediscovering Forgotten Women Writers
Women's voices are becoming more prominent in the world of literature, but for centuries, this wasn't the case. Young historians research a woman whose writings are considered to be lost, out of print, or forgotten. They develop an oral...
Curated OER
Literature: Porgy and Bess
Students examine the various portrayals of African-Americans in literature, focusing on the opera, Porgy and Bess. They conduct Internet research on African-American culture between the two World Wars. Students write fictional or...
Curated OER
Romare Bearden: Piecing Together A Viewpoint
Students examine the history of Romare Bearden and her artwork. The lesson consists of some virtual field trips and projects. The lesson is designed to be taught as either a social studies or art lesson. The teacher could also teach this...
Curated OER
Gullah Activities
Students study the Gullah culture by watching a video about Gullah, Gullah Island. They discuss the customs and crafts of the people such as basket weaving, food preparation, pottery, and quilt making. While working in centers, they make...
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Martin Puryear's Ladder for Booker T. Washington
Students examine the art of Martin Puryear. In this visual arts lesson, students analyze the sculpture "Ladder for Booker T. Washington". Students consider how the sculpture reflects the life and contributions of Booker T. Washington....
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“And Still I Rise” Proud Black Women
High schoolers examine the experiences of African American women. In this poetry instructional activity, students use their literary analysis skills to compare the poetry of Maya Angelou to rap music performed by Queen Latifah and Lauryn...
Curated OER
What Does This Song Really Say?
Young scholars investigate communication by analyzing lyrics from a song. In this music arts instructional activity, students discuss slavery, the Underground Railroad and African American traditions while listening to a song called...
Curated OER
Character Traits and People in Black History
Third graders, after reading a one-page biographical essay, write in paragraph form how an African American has demonstrated a certain character trait.
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Teaching Empathy : The Story of Ruby Bridges
Learners explore "The Story of Ruby Bridges," by Robert Coles to uncover examples of courage in the lives of others and in themselves. This search into the story is meant to help students form connections with others and to foster the...
Curated OER
Looking Back at Pre-Civil War Slavery
Eighth graders explain the nature of slavery, the impact of slavery on African-Americans, and how slavery intensified the conflict between the North and South that eventually led to a major cause of the Civil War.
Curated OER
Bigger than Life
Students explore courage. In this moral and character development instructional activity, students read biographical information about Jackie Robinson and identify examples of courage exemplified in his life story.
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Jackie Robinson, A Black Hero
Students explore the meaning of the word hero. In this philanthropy lesson, students examine what the word hero means as they discover Jackie Robinson and hits contributions to society.
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Colonial Living: A Look at the Arts, Crafts, History, and Literature of Early Americans
Sixth graders examine the different aspects of life in Colonial America. At home, they make traditional colonial recipes to share with the class. In groups, they read a book about the purpose and act of quilting and create their own...
Curated OER
On the Other Side of the Color Barrier: Segregation and the Negro Leagues
Young scholars study segregation that occurred in the past and that is currently occurring. In this equal rights instructional activity, students use primary source documents to student segregation of the past. In a culminating activity,...
Curated OER
A Gift to Give
Learners investigate the holiday Kwanzaa by drawing pictures. In this cultural tradition instructional activity, students discuss the history and actions that take place during the holiday of Kwanzaa. Learners draw a picture of a gift...
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Lesson 12- Quincy Jones:What Makes an American Master?
Students study the life of Quincy Jones and research black music for selected decades of the 20th Century. They discuss the qualities that help one create and sustain a successful career. They design a timeline of what their future...
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Art Through the Eyes of Youth
Students take a field trip to an art gallery reflecting on the paintings they like the most. Individually, they use magazines to find pictures related to their personality. In pairs, they make a mask to represent their ethnic group and...
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On Sunday There Might Be Americans Lesson
Students gain insight into the mindset of a rural boy in Niger, specifically regarding his relations with both indigenous and foreign people in the local market. They probe the deeper meanings of the story and relate important ideas...
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Creating and Evaluating Ethnic Advertising
Students examine the concept of ethnic advertising. In this African American history lesson plan, students watch segments of videos about the history of ethnic advertising. Students respond to questions that correspond to each of the...
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What’s in a Name? Understanding Malcolm X
Students study the life of Malcolm X. In this autobiography instructional activity, students read The Autobiography of Malcolm X, investigate and evaluate the time period of his life, and write an essay based on their reflections...
Curated OER
Music: Off the Wall & Onto the Stage - Composing
Kids explore Gullah music from Africa and then create original compositions based on what they've learned. They practice traditional melodies and rhythms then make some of their own, which they then perform for the class.
Curated OER
Langston Hughes and the Blues
Students explore the connections between Langson Hughes and blues music. In this African American culture lesson, students compare and contrast blues music with poetry and short stories by Langston Hughes.