Curated OER
Calculating Population Growth for a Region
Young scholars research population growth of regions of Canada. In this Social Studies lesson, students use included links on the Internet to find information about population growth in areas of Canada. A worksheet for each region is...
Curated OER
The Home Front: Convincing Americans to Help America Prepare
Sixth graders examine the actions of the U.S. Government after the attack on Pearl Harbor. In this preparation for war lesson, 6th graders analyze WWII posters and view a clip on the American Home Front. Students discuss and list the...
Curated OER
My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View of Washington, D.C.
Although this legislative process lesson is designed to accompany a specific text, it is valuable independently. Young learners participate in a picture walk (worksheet included) through My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View of Washington,...
Curated OER
Rushing the Border
Students discuss the issues of immigrants who overstay their legal welcome. They explore the recent changes in immigration registration, and participate in a roundtable discussion.
Curated OER
The Right to Know Your Rights
Students read a New York Times article in order analyze the Miranda Rights. They explore various legal views of these rights through group interviews and presentations.
Curated OER
Of Power and Politics
Young scholars consider the problems and issues that arise when a government has more than one person at the head of the government and explore the possibility of China's military chief's resignation by reading and discussing the article...
Curated OER
Gunshots by the Numbers
Students analyze the incidence of gun injuries among children and what can be done about it by reading and discussing the article "Keeping Guns Out of Children's Hands." They convert statistics about gun injuries into visual...
Curated OER
The Rise and Fall of the Jim Crow Era
Students explore African American history by researching the Jim Crow laws. In this Civil Rights lesson, students define the Jim Crow laws, the reasons they were put into place, and how they were ultimately defeated. Students write a...
Curated OER
The Most Dangerous Woman in America: Mary Harris "Mother" Jones
Students discover labor issues of the 1800's. In this Pennsylvanian history lesson, students research the case of Mary Harris Jones and discover her work as a labor activist. Students discuss the case together in class.
Curated OER
Human Rights Education Handbook: Packing Your Suitcase
Young scholars are given a scenerio in which they receive a letter threatening their lives for suspected subversive activities. They must pack their bags and flee. Students list what they will take. They read their list to the class, the...
Curated OER
Migration and Political Power Lesson Plan: A Mapping and Graphing Activity
Middle schoolers examine how the end of slavery and the diffusion of African Americans across the United States contributed to its political successes following the civil rights era. In groups, they use information from a narrative to...
Propaganda Lesson
This lesson can be used as a standalone lesson or as an introductory lesson. There is also a PowerPoint Presentation that includes videos and an internet-based interactive activity provided by Holt, the textbook publisher. Click the...
Carolina K-12
How Do I Pre-Register and Vote in North Carolina?
This practical activity helps young citizens learn about pre-registration to vote in elections, discuss the merits and flaws of the pre-registration process, and register themselves. The concluding activity has young voters creating an...
Advocates for Human Rights
Deliberative Dialogue
How do you create a classroom environment where hot button topics may be discussed in a respectful manner? As part of a series of lessons that focus on immigration issues, class members examine the rules for civil discussion before...
Curated OER
Hypothetical Heights
High schoolers participate in an interdisciplinary lesson to discuss improvements that would make them want to return to a previously poor neighborhood. In this civics lesson, students work in a budget to make a plan to better their...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan: The Net Neutrality Debate
Should Internet users who send data-heavy content pay higher fees than those who are involved in activities, like sending an email, that have less content? This question is at the heart of the Net Neutrality debate. After watching a PBS...
US Institute of Peace
Peacebuilders in Action
What contributions have great peacebuilders made to our society? Civic-minded scholars take an in-depth look at people who have made a difference world-wide during the 12th lesson in a 15-part series. After researching facts about their...
Curated OER
Writing with Writers for Grades 9-12
Have your class examine the characteristics of various writing genres using the Writing with Writers online project. Detailed instructions for how to introduce, discuss, and develop a piece of writing for each genre are included. Class...
Curated OER
Great Picture Books to Teach Social Studies for Grade K-3
Every class enjoys reading new books at the beginning of a unit. Use this resource to identify a variety of books for kindergarten to third grade that can be used to complement social studies standards. The books can kindle learners'...
Curated OER
American Heritage Themes
Pupils define freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility in relation to American Heritage. They explore the origin of how American Heritage was developed and ways in which they can continue it today. They also determine ways they can...
Curated OER
Welcome to My World
Elementary schoolers discuss what a community is, and what their community has to offer them. They create posters, or flyers for the different businesses or places in their community to place around their school. After the students have...
University of Arkansas
Promises Denied
"Promises Denied," the second instructional activity in a unit that asks learners to consider the responsibilities individuals have to uphold human rights, looks at documents that illustrate the difficulty the US has had trying to live...
Curated OER
What Are the Social Studies?
Identify core social studies subjects with adult learners. They will discuss key issues from twentieth century American history and identify key social studies concepts taught at elementary grade levels. They then modify this activity to...
Speak Truth to Power
Harry Wu: Forced Labor
Over the course of two class periods, young historians explore human rights issues; specifically, forced labor in China. This resource provides everything you need, including relevant vocabulary, an anticipatory activity, and a...