Curated OER
Music: Follow the Drinking Gourd
Fourth graders use movement to express a concept. In this interdisciplinary lesson, 4th graders listen to the book, Follow the Drinking Gourd, which demonstrates the types of 'communication' used by slaves traveling the Underground...
Curated OER
Tread Lightly: Where We Stand
Students explore the concept of ecological footprints. In this environmental stewardship lesson, students calculate their ecological footprints and consider how to reduce them.
Curated OER
Mobile Phones
Investigate how mobile phones impact their lives through this technology instructional activity that has students discuss the history of the cell phone and research how cell phones are being used in third world countries. Students create...
Curated OER
The Roar of the Twenties; The Crash of the Thirties
Eighth graders, after assuming identities of prominent figures from the 1920's and looking at slides and data from the era, relate, in diary form, the cultural, economic and political changes that happened in America between 1920 and 1939.
Curated OER
African Drumming - Repetition of Patterns
Young scholars are introduced to basic patterns used in African drumming. They listen to examples of drumming by Kundidzora Azim, participate in chants and repeat demonstrated rhythms as a class.
Curated OER
African Masks
Young scholars make replicas of African masks. They also express what attributes they would want to have as an adult and put that into their mask.
Curated OER
Happy New Year!
Students research Chinese New Year to explore another culture's traditions, and discuss differences between Chinese New Year and New Year celebrations in the United States.
Curated OER
Reading Images: Maconaquah
Students examine a portrait of Maconaquah and compose a list of things they observe about her. They look at her age, clothing, jewelry, and her emotions based on her facial expression. Conclusions are drawn as they "read" the pictures...
Curated OER
Group Alignment
Middle schoolers discuss proper ways to work in a group. In this character education lesson, students identify the vocabulary words "inclusion" and "exclusion" and create a list of ways to respect others in a group setting.
Curated OER
Shifting Gears
In this activity, students will write a personal narrative that is designed to help them reflect on the nature and meaning of change in their lives.
Curated OER
Holiday Celebrations
Fourth graders explore three cultural holidays and compare and contrast the ways varied cultural groups celebrate their heritage.
Curated OER
A Mountain of Myths
Students examine myths and the reverse of the Colorado quarter. They define myth, view and discuss a transparency of the Colorado Quarter Reverse, and create a myth to explain the formation of a landform in Colorado.
Curated OER
Axis and Allies World War II Simulation
Students investigate World War II through the computer game Axis and Allies. They discuss the basics of World War II before playing the game, spend eight weeks playing the game that is a simulation of World War II, and write a report...
Curated OER
Introduction to Primary and Secondary Sources
Fourth graders are introduced to primary and secondary sources. Using examples of each type of source, they work together to identify which are primary and which are secondary sources. They end the lesson by reviewing the...
Curated OER
Mardi Gras Quilt
Students investigate the concept of Mardi Gras and how it is celebrated in Louisiana. They use technology in order to create interest in the form of a video. Students create a quilt template using the internet to copy and paste images.
Curated OER
Mexico
Students complete a unit about the geography and culture of Mexico. They compare and contrast the weather of their own city and Mexico, read books about Mexico, count in Spanish, color in a flag of Mexico and the Mexican Coat of Arms,...
Curated OER
Countries, Food, and Culture
Students examine foods from other countries. In this multicultural instructional activity, students write down names of different restaurants and categorize pictures of foods according to the specific restaurant. For example, Won Ton...
Curated OER
Gullah Activities
Students study the Gullah culture by watching a video about Gullah, Gullah Island. They discuss the customs and crafts of the people such as basket weaving, food preparation, pottery, and quilt making. While working in centers, they make...
Curated OER
Muses of Independence
Eighth graders explore the entertainment options in colonial America. In this colonial life instructional activity, 8th graders watch a movie about colonial music and arts. Students then respond to questions regarding the movie and also...
Curated OER
Green Corn Festival
Students reflect in journals how the Green Corn Festival compares to present day holidays and look for ways that the tribes celebrate it differently.
Curated OER
Chinese Percussion Music
Students investigate Chinese percussion instruments and ensemble performances. They play compositions with Chinese percussion instruments such as small gongs, large gongs and drums.
Curated OER
POWWOW
Students investigate the significance of the Powwow to the Native Americans. They write a story about a special tradition or custom from their own family, play Native American children's games, prepare Indian fry bread, and participate...
Curated OER
Looking at Ritual and Ceremony
Students explore Edward Curtis' photos of a Native American ritual and practice documenting their own religious rituals. For this photography analysis lesson, students analyze an Native American ritual in Curtis' photo. Students discuss...
