Curated OER
Concept: Superstition
Students identify the role of superstition in their own lives, in society, and in Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In this superstition lesson, students discuss urban legends and listen to a related song to introduce the topic....
Curated OER
Animal Farm - The Rest of the Story
Students participate in a reader's theater using farm animals in the novella Animal Farm. In this Animal Farm lesson plan, students evaluate interpretations using the text, personal experience, and historical events.
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Faulty Powers?
Students explore the White House response to Richard A. Clarke's testimony and apology to the commission investigating the events of September 11, 2001.
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Flowers Galore
Students examine the work of Georgia O'Keefe and observe the shapes and lines that make up a flower. They create a flower drawing or painting.
Curated OER
Clay Whistle/Ocarinas
Seventh graders create a clay whistle/ocarina and sculptue in the round using the pinch technique.
Curated OER
Primary Structural Forms: Post and Beam
Students examine the three primary structural forms of architecture. They view photos, take a walking tour of their community, conduct strength tests of post, beam, and arch construction, and analyze the test results.
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His Story/Her Story/Your Story
High schoolers read a variety of biographies to gain insight on the experiences of an African-American's life. Individually, they try to determine the time period it was written and compare the event with ones that occured in their own...
Curated OER
Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum
High schoolers explore the American dream. In this contemporary music lesson, students analyze the lyrics of songs by Neil Diamond, Bruce Springsteen, and David Massengill. High schoolers create 3-D representations of the American dream...
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Inked Geometric Mandalas
Fifth graders gain an appreciation for mandalas in many cultures. Compare and contrast designs from many cultures. They see geometric design in mandalas and become aware of symmetrical balance and radial balance. They create a mandala...
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Heartfelt/Handmade Activities: Genre Painting
Students examine genre painting. They explore the Illinois State Museum website, identify how genre paintings were composed, analyze the activities of an Illinois farm in the 1850s, and create a genre painting of current everyday...
Curated OER
A Fish Tale Fable
Students identify the moral in a fable. In this folktale lesson, students read an included book, Fish Tale, and identify the message in the book. Students discuss what kind of lessons can be learned from reading this fable.
Curated OER
The Life and Times of Robert Frost
Students explore the life and times of Robert Frost. Using a fact worksheet imbedded students access websites to gather information about the life and writings of Robert Frost.
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Moses and the Ten Commandments
Students watch a video about Moses and the Ten Commandments; participate in discussion; create a replica table of the Ten Commandments, or create a picture illustrating the parting of the Red Sea.
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Nursery Rhyme Mania
Students become familiar with many different nursery rhymes. They use nursery rhymes for a variety of creative activities including writing, singing, poetry and acting.
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VH1 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons Lesson 2
Students discuss pop culture, pop culture icons, and female composers.
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The Mayflower Compact
Twelfth graders discover the ideas of our government by reading the Mayflower Compact. In this U.S. Government lesson, 12th graders identify the main ideas of the Mayflower Compact, how it came to be and who was affected the most by...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 1: What Is the Purpose of the White House?
Pupils view images of presidents working and living at the White House. They list activities that take place at the White House and discuss the many purposes of the building.
Curated OER
Henry Luce: Turn Me Luce
Students research the life of Henry Luce, Time Magazine's founder, and examine the impact his magazine has had on the way American's see the world. They create a photo-essay, magazine or video to present their research.
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Scops, Rappers and You: Historians with Style!
Students examine the epic poem Beowulf. In this analyzing poetry lesson, student compare listen to the Will Smith song "Wild, Wild West" and read Beowulf. Students analyze the song and the poem. Students then research an influential...
Curated OER
Analyzing Political Cartoons
Seventh graders identify a political cartoon and analyze a pre-Revolutionary War political cartoon. In this political cartoon instructional activity, 7th graders discuss cartoons and the historical beginnings of American politics using a...
Curated OER
Creating an Autobiographical Amulet Necklace
Young scholars create their own personalized amulet necklaces after viewing images of artifacts from different cultures.
Curated OER
What Should I Wear Today? Pilgrims Didn't Ask
Second graders compare the clothing of today with the everyday dress of the Pilgrims.
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Exploring Cultural Rituals
Students analyze images and music of common rituals in America with those of other countries. They use worksheets to compare and contrast the events.
Curated OER
The President and the Press ~ FDR's First Press Conference: March 1933
Students consider that many presidential aides now speak "off the record," in essence conveying a message from the president. They examine why most Presidents have fewer press conferences the deeper they get into their terms of office.