Museum of Tolerance
The Pursuit of Democracy and Diversity: The Trial of Pro-Social Injustice in Historical Documents and Accounts
Class members investigate The Indian Removal Act of 1830, U.S. Theft of Mexican Territory Timeline, and President Abraham Lincoln’s letter to Horace Greeley, 1862, and then conduct a mock trial of each of these documents to determine...
Facing History and Ourselves
Understanding Identity
Key to social-emotional learning is understanding who we are. The first lesson in an Understanding Identity unit asks class members to consider the factors that shape one's concept of themselves, the parts of their identity they choose...
PBS
Stereotypes vs. Statistics (Grades 4-8)
Stereotypes can be painful if they are used to discriminate against others. Statistics, however, can be helpful in dispelling myths propagated by stereotypes. Using a thoughtful lesson plan, scholars complete graphic organizers and...
Curated OER
I Am Special and You Are Special Too #4
The students listen to a book about being different and investigate that everyone is different, but special in their own unique way. The students draw a picture of themselves using multi-cultural markers. Along with the drawing, the...
Curated OER
Be Who Your Are
An engaging video begins a lesson all about the representation of Native Americans in all types of careers. Following a discussion about the video, scholars participate in a gallery walk showcasing various Native American figures. Pupils...
Curated OER
Earth, the Universe, and Culture
Students view segment of documentary, Swift: Eyes Through Time, explore famous scientists, their theories, places of origin, and culture, document scientific viewpoints of famous scientists throughout history, and discuss geographical...
Curated OER
Winter Celebrations
Students draw and label pictures about holiday customs and traditions from their countries.
Curated OER
Indigenous Cultures Change Over Time
Fourth graders research and take notes while viewing a video on the Navajo Indians. In this Indigenous people lesson, 4th graders use the notes they've taken to compare and contrast the Navaho tribe to other Indigenous tribes. Students...
Curated OER
Harlem Renaissance
Middle schoolers discover the Harlem Renaissance. In this early 20th century lesson, students use various primary sources including handouts, worksheets, maps, music, and poetry to examine aspects of African American culture. Middle...
Curated OER
Brief Encounters (Looking at Ourselves and Others)
High schoolers participate in a simulation in which they examine how different cultures interact with one another. In groups, they follow the behaviors for their specific group while a group of observers records their interactions. To...
Curated OER
The Finish Line
Students investigate the philanthropy of various cultural traditions. In this cultural education lesson, students read a handout about Native American, European American, and African American traditions and identify the philanthropic...
Curated OER
General Spanish Music
Students explore Spanish music. In this cultural traditions lesson, students listen to a brief lecture on Spanish music and then research the regions of Spain to study the cultural diversity there. Students share their findings with...
Curated OER
One Step at a Time
Young scholars investigate the customs and habits of other cultures by reading letters from a Peace Corps Volunteer. In this global customs lesson plan, students discuss how analyzing a culture is similar to analyzing art, no two people...
Curated OER
South Asians in Canada: Unity through diversity
Ninth graders explore the elements of culture and their role in a multicultural society. In this World History lesson, 9th graders examine the concepts of diversity.
Curated OER
Cultural Exchange (Alaska)
Young scholars explore the culture of Alaska. They identify the geographic location of Tlingit Indians. Students compare/contrast the culture of the Europeans and Tlingits. Young scholars complete selected reading worksheets and provide...
Anti-Defamation League
Dolls Are Us
Representation matters! A activity examines the looks of dolls and discusses whether the design is inclusive or not. Scholars create a paper doll representing a characteristic about themselves or highlights another diverse quality....
Curated OER
One Step At A Time
Students begin the lesson by discussing how two people watching the same event can see it differently. After viewing an overhead transparency, they report on what they saw after being called upon. They discover that what we see is our...
Curated OER
Confronting the -Isms
Students keep "Mindwatch" diaries to chart their own prejudices and stereotypes. In this social justice lesson, students monitor their own reactions to people who are different from themselves. Students identify and discuss patterns of...
Curated OER
Cultural Connections
Students explore the concept of philanthropy. In this service learning lesson, students examine the impact of the works of Cesar Chavez, George Washington Carver, Sunderlal Buhuguna, and Abdul Sattar Edhi.
Curated OER
Harvesting the New World: Changing Land Uses and Contact Between Cultures in Colonial Times
Ninth graders differentiate the Native American and European values. For this world history lesson, 9th graders define colonialism in their own words. They study the effects of epidemics and other diseases to Native American populations.
Smithsonian Institution
Dia de los Muertos: Honoring our Ancestors Through Community Celebration
Oral storytelling has been an important part of every culture. The time-honored practice uses stories as a conduit for a culture's values and customs from one generation to the next. Keep the tradition going with a family interview...
Curated OER
Roman Gladiators
Young scholars review basic Latin terms pertaining to Roman gladitorial games, print out pictures of gladiators from Internet, share photos with classmates, choose gladiator to research, and prepare in depth visual and oral presentation...
Curated OER
Journey to America
Fifth graders carefully analyze the artwork, Les Emigrants, and explore the reasons that people emigrated to the United States, and what life was like for new arrivals. They discuss what things immigrants were able to bring with them and...
Teaching Tolerance
Changing Demographics: What Can We Do to Promote Respect?
America has always been seen as a melting pot to the world. Scholars research the concept of blending cultures in the United States and how it is changing over time. The final lesson of a four-part series analyzes the changing...