Curated OER
Papier-Mache Masks
Read about, and then make culturally inspired masks. Learners watch the video, "Masks and Face Coverings," then design and make a mask with cultural significance out of papier mache. Tip: Have small groups research, write about, and make...
Curated OER
Navajo Weaving: A Lesson in Math and Tradition
Combine geometry and tradition with a lesson that spotlights Navajo weaving. The book, The Goat in the Rug by Charles L. Blood and Martin Link hooks scholars before watching a video of Navajo people tending their sheep and beginning to...
Curated OER
Shange's Novel Betsey Brown & Jazz
Students read a work of fiction and investigate literary values and structure of the work. They demonstrate understanding of the family values, cultural and historical context of the novel;
Curated OER
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
High schoolers identify what Tchaikovsky's personality was like and what kind of school he attended first. Then they identify and research what was happening in Russian politics during his lifetime. Students also identify who the...
Curated OER
Haiku Poems
Eighth graders study haiku poems. In this poetry lesson plan, 8th graders write two haikus containing the standard 5-7-5 syllables content about things they enjoy within nature.
The Kennedy Center
Fairy Tale Variations
Here are two great lessons that work together and are inspired by the Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods. Young writers and actors will retell the story of "The Frog Prince" through games, improvisational script writing, and song....
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Tribal Origin Stories
The teacher reads and retells Californian tribal origin or creation stories that come from the traditions of a variety of California Indian tribes. Then, pupils get together in groups and retell the stories they just heard; just as the...
Curated OER
The Star Fisher
What a terrific way to discuss racism in the 1920's. Learners read a story called The Star Fisher by Laurence Yep. It is about a Chinese American girl who experiences racism and prejudice after moving from Ohio to West Virginia. Learners...
Curated OER
Sparrow Hawk Red
Here is a very good reading comprehension worksheet that goes along with the novel, Sparrow Hawk Red. Important vocabulary words, and questions from each of the chapters are included. A lot of valuable practice should result from...
Curated OER
Reading Comprehension: Voice of Nature
Understanding a text can be a very interesting task. Fourth graders read a passage describing the origin of an Aboriginal myth. They answer 11 comprehension questions that require them to pull key details, use context, and think...
C.S. Lewis Foundation
Study Guide to The Abolition of Man
A first-rate resource that tackles the complexity of C.S. Lewis’s The Abolition of Man. It provides a clear plan for analysis, discussion, and exploration. The two sets of questions focus readers to concentrate on the text itself, or to...
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
The Tell-Tale Heart
Here's the perfect resource for anyone using Edgar Allan Poe's famous short story the "Tell-Tale Heart." The packet includes five worksheets that provide skills practice exercises focusing on spelling with consonant blends, words with...
Poetry Society
How do Poets Use Language?
Why do writers choose the language they do? Here's a resource that has the poet himself answer that very question. Joseph Coelho explains why he chose the words and images he used in his poem, "If All the World Were Paper."
Curated OER
Social Studies: Bridging the Gap Between Cultures
Have you special education class examine multiculturalism. By exploring the cultures of Israel and Greece, they discover the holidays, cuisine, arts, andgeography of the countries. During this twelve-week unit, students develop a...
Curated OER
Storytelling In America
Students discuss how Washington Irving is considered an important 19th century-American storyteller. They create their own version of a passage from 'The Legend' after listening to the story.
Curated OER
Dilettante Artists
Students investigate their personal heritage. They research and record iand organize nformation in journal notes. Students create folk art using a variety of techniques and media.
Curated OER
A Cultural Palette
Students examine pieces of music and art that represent who they are. They study Haitian culture and traditions by performing the musical production "Once on the Island." They watch and discuss the film "The Nature of Music."
Curated OER
Theatre Prop Design and Construction
Fourth graders construct individual props. In this theatrical arts lesson, 4th graders use the elements of art to create various props using paper mache. Students construct objects such as logs, fruit, and a picture frame.
Curated OER
Mrs. Katz and Tush
Students read Patricia Polacco's Mrs. Katz and Tush before comparing Jewish heritage with Black history using a Venn Diagram. They complete the diagram either as a whole group or in a small group setting. Next, they sample the Jewish...
Curated OER
The Ladners: Researching Local Pioneers
Students research local Canadian explorers and write a report on them. In this research lesson plan, students look at local heritage and relationships that came out of those explorers.
Curated OER
Oral Histories
One of a series of lessons from Ellis Island. In this lesson, students use research from a previous lesson to conduct oral history interviews of family members to learn about their cultural and ethnic heritage.
Curated OER
Welcome Aboard the Newport
Students work in groups to create a book for a museum setting that introduces the tall ship, the Newport, to the public. They conduct research on maritime heritage and examine the responsibilities accociated with sailing.
Curated OER
Compare and Contrast the French Cinderella with Other Cultural Versions
Students first compare and contrast the traditional French Cinderella with Cinderella stories from around the world as well as the opera synopsis. Students write their own Cinderella stories, personalizing them with aspects from their...
Curated OER
Folk Dances of Eastern Europe
Students experience folk dance as a form of expressive art, and appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Eastern Europe.