Curated OER
Madeleine Albright: First Lady of State
Students explore how Madeleine Albright made history by becoming the first female American secretary of state. This tough, talented and determined woman has had an unusual life that has well prepared her for her job.
Curated OER
Changing Opinions
Young scholars compare their preconceptions of Native American movement with their current perceptions. They identify why they have changed. Students conclude with a final reflection addressing how they define the Native American...
Curated OER
GEOGRAPHY OF FOOD & FIBER
Students will explain the ways geography determines the crops grown in the United States and other countries, and the resulting trade relationships.1. Discuss trade routes, both ancient and current. Discuss why the most direct route from...
Curated OER
War Expectations
Students determine what they think Americans currently expect regarding warfare and its cost in human lives and examine the sources of these expectations.
Curated OER
Fight for Freedom
Students research examples of slavery in the world today, and explore some ways they can help current slaves gain their freedom. After students develop a plan for helping to fight slavery, they take action.
Curated OER
Songs of Unrest - Lesson 4
Learners identify popular songs from 1968 and make connections with the year's current events. They pretend that they are producing a new CD. The CD includes four songs that comment on today's social issues. They write the liner notes.
Curated OER
"Almaden" by Kim Chi-won
Fourth graders read "Almaden" about a Korean woman living in New York. They give a brief background on Korean history and culture and discuss point of view. In groups, they work on discussions questions together.
Curated OER
Mary Ann Patten: Clipper Ship Heroine
In two groups, students research the history and current building of clipper ships. In this inquiry instructional activity, students present information and compare and contrast the technological revolution with the development of...
Curated OER
Invention Grab Bag
Students research inventions and their role in the history of civilization. In this inventions lesson, students choose an invention from a grab bag and research information to answer the worksheet.
Curated OER
Old Mayan Mural
Students read a story called Scientists Discover Oldest Mayan Mural and answer vocabulary and comprehension questions about it. In this current events Mayan mural lesson plan, students respond to literature by answering questions,...
Curated OER
The Origins of Islamic Law: Sharia, Islam, Muslims
Students examine the development and history of Islamic Law (Sharia). They also begin to make comparisons to Western and Judaic Law traditions.
Curated OER
Constitution Day
Students examine and discuss recent court cases involving young people and the Bill of Rights.They use a focus question to create the context for class discussion: How does the Bill of Rights apply to young people and students?
Constitutional Rights Foundation
If Men Were Angels: Teaching the Constitution With the Federalist Papers
Much like the methods of group work, the writers of the Federalist Papers worked together to advocate for their viewpoints against the anti-federalists. The resource enables learners to break into small groups and conduct research before...
Curated OER
Presidents: Past and Present
Students identify George Washington and the current president and distinguish between past and present events. They listen to a text about Washington and make predictions. They generate a list of synonyms for past and present and...
Curated OER
What's In The Bag?
Pupils research a historical figure from the United States and introduce their classmates to items associated with this person. They also predict how that historical figure would fit into today's society.
Curated OER
Religious Intolerance in Afchanistan
Pupils, as a group, examine and discuss the destruction and planned demolition of Buddhist artifacts in Afghanistan by the Islamic Taliban government. They further research the issue and then hold a simulated summit with Buddhists, the...
Curated OER
Perceptions of War
Tenth graders share perspectives on war with Iraq with students from various countries, and write position papers expressing specific stance on issues.
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Conflict in Alabama in the 1830s: Native Americans, Settlers, and Government
To better understand the Indian Removal Act of 1830, class members examine primary source documents including letters written by Alabama governors and the Cherokee chiefs. The lesson is part of a unit on the expansion of the United...
Library of Congress
Understanding Immigration Through Popular Culture
Class members are introduced to a project-based learning unit on US immigration with an activity that asks them to analyze sheet music and other primary source materials to uncover issues raised by immigration.
Curated OER
The Persuaders
Have your upper graders watch the documentary, "The Persuaders" as they explore how advertisers try to gain potential customers. The video is followed by a discussion and close examination of new marketing trends and strategies.
State Bar of Texas
Grutter v. Bollinger
A university decides not to allow a qualified scholar to enter its institution based on skin and gender—but this case is about a white female? The 2003 Supreme Court case Grutter v. Bollinger lays the foundation for open discussion and...
Curated OER
Hopi Running
Students identify why the Hopi tribe practiced running as it relates to health, delivering messages, defeating other tribes, and for ceremonial events. For this social studies lesson, students use maps to identify latitude and longitude...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Ellis Island—The “Golden Door” to America
Are you one of the 100 million Americans whose ancestors passed through the doors of Ellis Island? Learn about the historic entry point for immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with an informative reading passage. After...
Curated OER
The Problem with Profiling
Students explore the issue of racial profiling and post their conclusions to a youth message board. They research the issue of racial profiling and post their thoughts to a message board.