Curated OER
What Is an American?
Students explore different backgrounds of Americans. In this activity, students discuss how people in the United States may come from a different background, yet have similar values and beliefs. After the class discussion, several...
Curated OER
African American Poetry: Family and Traditions
Young scholars are introduced to the elements of African-American poetry. As a class, they are read different types of poems to discover there are different styles of poems and practice rhyming words. They share information on their...
Curated OER
The Insights of American Blacks During the 19th and 20th Centuries in New Haven, Connecticut
Students examine the contributions of African Americans in New Haven, Connecticut in the 19th and 20th centuries. After being introduced to new vocabulary, they review the elements of autobiographies and read excerpts of African...
Curated OER
Latin American Film
Students identify characteristics in a Latin American film. In this filmography lesson, students describe their favorite movies and the reasons why they like them. Students are shown a short clip of a Latin American movie and discuss the...
Curated OER
White House Easter Celebration
In this White House Easter Celebration worksheet, students find items in a picture of the White House Easter Celebration. Students find 10 items.
Curated OER
FOOD FOR THE ANCESTORS
Students identify the foods associated with the "Days of the Dead Celebration." They compare and contrast these foods to the foods associated with American celebrations and become familiar with the foods of Mexico and their relationship...
Curated OER
KWANZAA
Pupils study about Kwanzaa, an African-American celebration established in 1966 by Dr. Maulana, and also participate in some traditional activities.
Poetry Foundation
Dream in Color — Middle School
Celebrate diversity with a toolkit designed to inspire young poets to develop their own voices. After examining poems by African American poets, individuals craft their own poetic stories. The packet features poems by Gwendolyn Brooks,...
Curated OER
Celebration!
Use a five-lesson plan unit to investigate how different cultures use art for common purposes, such as the marking of special events, celebrations, and the validation of human experience.
Newspaper in Education
Celebrating Black History Month
After examining the accomplishments of George Crum, Ella Fitzgerald, James Baldwin, and Ernie Davis, class members conduct research, compare their lives and accomplishments, and then select from a menu of projects to share their...
Curated OER
South American Cultures
Students examine South American festivals. In this cultural diversity lesson, students research Spanish cultural festivals and determine their purpose. Students write and conduct a survey about cultural festivals.
Curated OER
Famous African Americans Mini-book
Students develop understanding of prejudice as they study famous African Americans. In this African American lesson, students become familiar with various African Americans and the obstacles they faced and overcame. Students put...
Curated OER
African American Concentration
Learners study African American history month. In this culture activity, students discuss the origins of African American history and play a concentration game by matching the picture to the name of a famous African American.
K20 LEARN
Word Warriors: The Code Talkers of Oklahoma
The battle between code makers and code breakers has been going on for centuries and is a key tool of warfare. The contributions of the Native American Code Talkers of World Wars I and II are celebrated in a lesson plan that features a...
Smithsonian Institution
Barn Again! Celebrating an American Icon
How do barns serve as a window to a community's past? Here are a series of lessons on the symbolism and historical context of barns throughout American history. Topics include community-building, in-depth primary and secondary source...
Scholastic
Writing Letters to the Chancellors of the Academy of American Poets
To celebrate National Poetry Month, young writers focus on the role letter writing has played in the development of poets. They begin by journaling three to five associations to a writing prompt that requires them to identify their...
Curated OER
A Close Reading of Learned Hand's "I Am an American Day"
Judge Learned Hand's "Spirit of Liberty" speech delivered during the July, 1944 "I Am an American Day" celebration is the subject of a close reading activity that models for learners how to approach a dense, difficult text.
Curated OER
The History of African-American Children: A Guide for Teaching Black History at the Elementary School Level
How do you introduce the topic of slavery to your youngest learners? The Sneetches, by Dr. Suess, is a great introduction to the idea of being different. Read the story to your class, and discuss desegregation in public buildings. This...
Curated OER
Bulletin Board Patterns: The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
Enhance your Kwanzaa celebration with bulletin patterns that identify the seven principles of Kwanzaa, provide a pronunciation guide, and a brief explanation of the principle. A great way to encourage Umoja.
Curated OER
Native American Music: Call-and-Response
Students are introduced to call-and-response form of Native American song and dance. They identify and describe a call-and-response form as used in "0 Hal'Lwe."
Male students will perform "0 Hal'Lwe" in call-and-response style with drum...
Curated OER
Native American Indians: Wampanoags
Students understand the contributions of the Native American tribes. In this Native American lesson, recognize Native American names, words and cultures. Students understand that different tribes lived in different parts of the country....
Curated OER
Let Your Motto Be Resistance: African American Portraits: Grades 3-5
Students explore the contributions of African Americans of the 20th century. In this African American history lesson, students examine portraits of Muhammad Ali, Romare Bearden, Lorraine Hansberry, Judith Jamison, and Leontyne Price in...
Curated OER
Happy Birthday!
Students honor African Americans in history. In this celebrating achievements instructional activity, students plan, design, and implement ways to honor persons in African American history during Black History Month.
Curated OER
Japanese American Internment
Eleventh graders examine Japanese-American internment. In this World War II lesson, 11th graders research primary sources that they locate to learn about the experiences of the interned Japanese-Americans. Students then complete a...