Curated OER
The Christmas Tree, Just Where Did it Come From?
Students research how Christmas trees became part of the American Christmas tradition.
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Connecting Past and Present...Virtues of Military Veterans
Students explore personalities of those who served as medical personnel in American Civil War, compare qualities those troops possessed to qualities shown by troops currently serving in Armed Forces, and express appreciation to...
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The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire: 100 Years Later
Eleventh graders examine the impact of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. In this American History lesson, 11th graders analyze various sources. Students create a cartoon representing the impact of this fire on the United States...
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Folktales: Oral Traditions as a Basis for Instruction in our Schools
Middle schoolers visit their school library to read a variety of folktales. While they read, they identify the trickster or hero in each and discuss how the character represents the chaos in the real world. In groups, they write their...
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The Need for Government—A Cinematic and Literary Perspective
Students examine the philosophy of government. In this types of government lesson, students explore literature and movie clips to determine the value of rules in lawless societies.
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Westward Movement
Students explore the concept of philanthropy in historical context. In this Westward Movement lesson plan, students read Our Journey West and explain examples of settlers working together for the common good.
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Westward Expansion
Students explore the Westward Expansion Movement of U.S. history. In this Westward movement lesson plan, students use primary and secondary source documents research personal accounts of those who travelled west during the era....
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Inuit Culture: The Family
Students examine the attributes of Inuit families. In this cultural practices instructional activity, students read "Saqiyuq: Stories for the Lives of Three Inuit Women," and respond to 10 comprehension and critical thinking questions...
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History & Civics Lesson for Grades 5-7
Students become aware of the culture, lifestyles and attitudes of Native American kids living on the Crow, Navajo and Nez Perce; reservations.
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Consumer Culture in the 1950s: New Shopping Centers and Advertising trends
Students examine the effect of suburbs on American cities. They identify the changes the cities had to face after people moved elsewhere. Using primary source ads, they compare them with contemporary ads and discuss what can be found out...
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Savvy in Sacramento
Students take a field trip to the state capital, Sacramento. Using the Internet, they explain the physical and human geographic features of the area and discuss interactions between the people of California between the time of explorers...
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Metis- Grade 11
Eleventh graders consider the impact of immigration on native peoples. In this Canadian history lesson, 11th graders watch "Places Not Our Own," and then participate in a classroom simulation that requires them to consider land...
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Metis - Grade 10
Tenth graders investigate the organization and purpose of the Metis. In this Canadian history lesson, 10th graders watch "Metis Settlements," and then participate in talking circles sharing their impressions of the video.
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California Indians
Fourth graders discuss the major nations of California Indians, their geographic distribution, economic activities, legends and religious beliefs. They describe the function of Spanish missions and the influence of Catholicism. In...
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The Secret Life of Money Part 1
Students explore money, how its value determined, and how mere slips of paper or coins, and in today's high-tech world electronic blips, represent the wealth of a nation.
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Naming Names on Mars
Middle schoolers examine maps of New Hampshire to determine town and physical features that have Native American and European names. They discuss the reasons for these names to determine what influences the naming of places. They name...
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Underground Travelers
Young scholars are introduced to new vocabulary associated with the Underground Railroad. Using primary sources, they evaluate the railroad's impact on society in the past and today. They also make a judgment about the morality of the...
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Understanding the Importance of the Declaration of Independence
Eighth graders examine the importance of the Declaration of Independence
by using a variety of research sources and computer technology to obtain information. They internalize the thoughts, actions, and motives of the signers of the...
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Mixing Races in New Orleans
Students discuss the changes in the legal, social, and political status of African Americans and those of mixed ethnicity after reading the narrative, Haitian Immigration: Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries.
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Coin Collections
Students explore why coin collectors would find American Eagle coins important additions to their collections. They generate a list of items that they collect or save. They identify reasons that people collect different items.
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Forest Joe Lesson Plan: Outlaw or Hero?
Students become familiar with an American legend that is unfamiliar to many. Presented with the legend of Forest Joe, a runaway slave who, much like Robin Hood, stole from the rich to give to the poor, students draw comparisons and...
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The Jessie Jackson Campaign
Students explore an African American's presidential campaign. In teams, students create a campaign for their presidential candidate. They create political ads and plan campaign strategies. Students are simulate jobs such as a campaign...
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Mapping the Mediasphere
Young scholars compare/contrast the media messages they see in two different communities in their city. They list the elements of art and the principles of design in the photographs they have taken in those two different communities....
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Plyler v. Doe: Can States Deny Public Benefits to Illegal Immigrants?
Illegal immigration is an ever-changing source of consistent controversy. A reading passage about the rights of undocumented workers and illegal immigrants—and the lack thereof—guides high schoolers into a mock trial activity. Three...