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The Rise of Community Activism
Students examine the rise of citizen leaders and community organizing.
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Sew, You Want To Quilt?
Students become familiar with the achievements of the artist Faith Ringgold. They take notice of the patterns in their environment. They connect the mathematical concept of patterns to create a class quilt.
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The Many Faces of Paul Robeson
Young scholars discuss and construct timelines based on the life of author/performer/Civil Right's activist, Paul Robeson. They view photographs of him at various times in his life and discuss the roles he may have been playing at those...
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Immigration: A Cultural Perspective
Students investigate immigration and migration patterns near Pittsburgh, and distinguish between voluntary and involuntary migrants. They evaluate the importance of urban villages in relation to the immigrant experience.
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Immigration: A History
Studnets trace how immigration patterns have changed in America's history. They analyze the relationship between economic growth and immigration.
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Bad Brother
Students deal with the historian's dilemma of how to write about people in the past who committed wicked deeds. They analyze a well-known cartoon, "Satan Tempting Booth to the Murder of the President."
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Colonial Life in Virginia
Fourth graders compare and contrast life in England with plantation life in America. They study the dependencies or mini-industries that could be found on plantations.
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Reading and Writing About Boxing
Students analyze the life of Jack Johnson and his relationship with other boxers. They write about his life by using the same style as Muhammad Ali, his taunts and boasts using rhyming.
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Following Muddy's Trail
Students view the AMERICAN MASTERS film "Muddy Waters: Can't Be Satisfied" and research him using the Guided Reading strategy. They examine the influential musician's childhood and trace his journey from the Mississippi Delta to...
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Sudan -- Efforts to Avert Genocide in the Making
Students examine current events in Sudan and their efforts to prevent another genocide. They identify the roles of different humanitarian organizations in the area. They research the efforts to bring those accused of genocide to justice.
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The Boys of Baraka
Students view a video about the experience of boys from West Africa in the American school system. They discover how one's environment can affect them in the classroom. They write about the experience from different points of view.
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"We, the People": New Voices in the Constitutional Debates
Young scholars study the goals set out for the Constitution. They examine the resolutions arrived at to resolve three major conflicts which arose during the writing of the Constitution. They discuss or write down a one-sentence summary...
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The Cajuns: Natives with a Difference!
Middle schoolers examine the immigrant experiences of various culture groups. Using this information, they work together to compare and contrast these experiences with those of the Cajuns. As a class, they define ethnic group and...
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Through Their Eyes: Video Taping Oral History
Students identify the stereotypes they are faced with on a daily basis. In groups, they use this information to identify the ways stereotypes are portrayed in movies and television. They use a video camera to record oral histories of...
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Abolishing Slavery
Learners explain the goals and methods of the abolitionist movement.
They identify key leaders in the movement. This lesson has adaptations for elementary through high school. Links are provided for resource readings.
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Light in Festivals
Students examine how five different countries use light in their celebrations and festivals. They locate countries on a map, conduct research and prepare a poster for a specific holiday, complete a worksheet, and create a tin lantern.
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Healthy Living: Diversity of Learners
Young scholars are drawn to those activities that are in line with their individual intelligences. They use classroom computers to find fruits and their names in other languages. Once a fruit is identified, students practice saying the...
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Check My Writing: Diversity of Learners Adaptation
Students explore different spellings of the same words within the English language, as well as different words for the same thing with the international pen pal classroom. They become familiar with units of measure and time. Students...
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All The Way to Timbuktu
Learners discuss the concept of historic preservation and relate it to their own families and communities. After reading an article, they discuss the efforts of Mali to preserve their history. Using the internet, they research one...
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Brutal British
Students read and predict the outcome of a story set during the Civil War, then map the story. To prepare for the activity, students determine why it is important to look at historical events from all angles by using primary and...
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Examining What Sharing Really Means
Learners examine the remarkable degree of sharing that the author encounters upon arrival in Africa. They reflect on the enduring understanding, "Attitudes toward sharing differ among different cultures." The respond in their journals...
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On Sunday There Might Be Americans Lesson
Students gain insight into the mindset of a rural boy in Niger, specifically regarding his relations with both indigenous and foreign people in the local market. They probe the deeper meanings of the story and relate important ideas...
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Virginians in the Revolutionary War Era
Students identify the varied roles of Virginians in the Revolutionary War era and define the terms patriot, loyalist, and neutral. They then pretend they are patriots and list reasons on a chart why they are fighting against England and...
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"Owl" A Haitian Folk Tale
Eighth graders read and discuss the Haitian folktale, "Owl." They compare it to the story, "Brer Possum's Dilemma," using a Venn diagram to show how they are different and alike. In groups, they retell the story in a skit format.