Smithsonian Institution
Watching Crystals Grow
Amazing science can sometimes happen right before your eyes! The class gets cozy as they watch crystals grow. They use Epsom salts, rocks, and food coloring to create crystals. They'll observe the entire process, documenting every step...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan: Touring The Alamo
Students discover the size of the Alamo and artifacts of the time period by navigating through a virtual tour of the Alamo.
Curated OER
Ruby Bridges
Students think about differences and equality as they compare their life to that of Ruby Bridges.
Curated OER
Looking at Photographs
Students evaluate photographs as historical documents and photographs as propaganda.
Council for Economic Education
One is Silver and the Other's Gold
Learners investigate the money supply and how it can affect the value of money. They examine how the changing money supply can affect prices.
Curated OER
Egyptian Hireroglyphs
Fifth graders identify the aspects of Ancient Egyptians and Heiroglyphs. They compare and contrast Egyptian Hieroglyphs with the decimal number system. Students recognize the decimal number system and compares to bases other than ten.
Curated OER
American Revolution
While just an outline for an exploration of the American Revolution, this instructional activity could be augmented to provide a richer experience. The activity calls for learners to discuss the Declaration of Independence, study Paul...
Curated OER
Lesson: Emory Douglas: Here and Now: Looking at Contemporary Struggle
After looking into the life, art, and social contributions of artist Emory Douglas, learners analyze several social art pieces. They use Emory Douglas as an example of social art, then consider 10 other pieces. They write a paper...
Curated OER
Langston Hughes Was a Dreamer Too
Encourage your pupils to imagine their own dreams for the future. After studying three poems by Langston Hughes and listening to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech, young poets craft their own dream stanza.
Alabama Department of Archives and History
The Civil War at Home
To conclude a study of the 4 C's (cause, course, consequences, and characters) of the Civil War, young historians examine personal letters that reveal the effects of the war on those at home.
Curated OER
KWHL Questioning Strategy Instructions: Siddhartha
". . . gentlenenss is stronger than severity, water is stronger than rock, love is stronger than force." Prior to beginning Siddhartha, employ a KWHL strategy to provided your class members with the background knowledge of Hinduism,...
Curated OER
Amelia Earhart: Queen of the Air
Students watch a video about Amelia Earhart, an uncommon heroine, a legendary aviator and the center of one of the greatest mysteries of modern time.
Curated OER
Views of the American West: True or False?
Students explain that a landscape painting may or may not accurately represent a specific place. They identify techniques that create the illusion of three-dimensional space on a flat surface.
Curated OER
Philanthropy and You
Pupils define and discuss philanthropy. They research a philanthropist and write a three-paragraph essay summarizing what they have learned , including their own roles as philanthropists. They also plan and initiate personal acts of...
Curated OER
Honoring Neighborhood Heroes
Read biographies and use the internet to research stories of courage.Young writers compare and contrast characteristics that societies value. They write reports about their family and community's heroes.
Curated OER
Immigration/Migration: Today and During the Great Depression
Eleventh graders compare experiences of their families to those living through the Great Depression using famiy interviews, photographs, films and document from the Library of Congress.
Curated OER
Pop Culture and Art
Learn about American pop culture, art, and the social voice that art can convey. The class discusses the life and art of Barton Benes, views his piece Reliquarium, then discusses what they see and feel when they view his work. Make sure...
Curated OER
Not Only Paul Revere: Other Riders of the American Revolution
Students examine circumstances surrounding rides of the American Revolution other than Paul Revere's, explore why posterity treated them differently than Revere's ride, and create original poems based on historical fact.
Curated OER
The Civil War Era
Fifth graders explore both the causes of and the actual events of the Civil War. They write essays and descriptive paragraphs and explore a variety of websites. They create a series of skits highlighting the key points of the Civil War era.
Alabama Learning Exchange
President's Day for Special Education/Early Elementary
Students investigate how both Abraham Lincoln and George Washington displayed the trait of honesty. They listen to read alouds of class books and poems that address both the lives of these men and the trait of honesty. They use a graphic...
Curated OER
Portrait of a Hero
Students examine the concept and characteristics of a hero. They brainstorm and categorize a list of heroes, develop a chart checklist, discuss real-life heroes, and create a hero hall of fame display.
Curated OER
The Cultural Geography of Egypt
Students describe Egypt's historical, cultural and recreational sites and activities. They explain Egyptian customs and conduct; and apply what they have learned to create a travel brochure about Egypt.
Curated OER
George Washington: The President Without Precedent
Students explore time period and events surrounding George Washington's inauguration, demonstrate how Washington set precedent for each action he took as American Republic's new president, and compare and contrast traditions and events...
National First Ladies' Library
Anarchists
High schoolers identify and gain an understanding of the politics behind the killing of President McKinley, as well as the anarchist movements that continue to exist worldwide. Then they select a form of anarchy and write a short story...