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Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Watching Crystals Grow

For Teachers 5th - 8th
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...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Revolutionary Money

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Examine paper money from the American revolution! Historians study the paper bills and discuss the history of money. How has money changed over the times? Activities are included. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weaving Traditions - Activity 1

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students practice the techniques of weaving and braiding in this introductory lesson on family traditions and visual art. The lesson includes a video and other resource links.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Turn of the Nineteenth Century: Lifestyles and Cultures

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Student reflect on the differences between the life of children in the early nineteenth century and their lives in the present. They demonstrate these differences by creating a drawing of "then and now." In addition, they create a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

International Curiosity and National Pride

For Teachers 4th - 9th
Students analyze their own culture and a Bulgarian culture to identify national, local, or ethnic traits. In this culture analysis lesson, students identify three important characteristics of their culture and compose a list of questions...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hoosier Artists

For Teachers 1st - 12th
Young scholars examine the paintings of various Indiana artists. Using the internet, they relate the landscapes shown to the history of the state and how it affected Native Americans. Using the information they gathered, they write story...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Indian PowWow

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students identify three different American Indian regions and tribes, their food, clothing, shelter, recreation, and transportation. Students create artifacts that can be placed in a museum. Students sing songs, chants, and dance. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Our Small World

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore indigenous and Native cultures, and promote appreciation for the contributions from these cultures. They explore the concept of cultural conservation and gain more understanding about the issues that tribes face today. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Size Shapes Animals

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Students investigate how size affects large and small animals differently. In this animal lesson plan, students determine how size affects different animals by constructing their own animal out of marshmallows. Once students create...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Plants and Animals, Partners in Pollination

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students participate in multiple hands-on activities to explore reproduction and pollination. In groups, using a cotton swab and powder, students simulate being pollinators and plants. They name the parts of the flowers and the function...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moving and Grooving with Tempo: Diversity of Learners Adaptation

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students with logical/mathematical intelligence keep count of the tempo of each song and of the number of different movements that they can create to go with the folk songs heard.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Baga Drum

For Teachers K - 6th
Students examine a Baga Drum in order to explore the history of the Baga people of West Africa. In this art history lesson, students recognize figures used in Baga Drum design that represent aspects of Baga culture. They also design and...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conflict And Cooperation

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders engage in a study of how cultural indian tribal groups cooperated or had conflicts amongst themselves. The research is conducted using a variety of resources and students make connections to their own culture. The skills...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

VH1 Driven: Shakira, Lesson 2

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners watch a video about the life of Latin singer/pop star, Shakira. They research various foreign music styles and discuss how they influence American pop music today.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Pictures Telling Stories

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students see the importance of primary sources in the study of history, but also the limitations of relying only on primary sources of taking the money, as it were, at face value.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Culture?

For Teachers 4th - 10th
Students discuss "culture." In groups, they discuss and share things about their culture, recording everything they discuss on butcher paper to be hung around the room. They choose a way to share something about their own family...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stand Up and Sing

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students locate historical references in songs. They create music/lyrics to illustrate an historical topic.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders complete activities for the book The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush, by Tomie dePaola. In this literature lesson, the students read the story and summarize the main events. They look for story elements focusing on the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dinosaurs Were Real!

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Pupils investigate the history of dinosaurs, as real animals. In this dinosaur lesson plan, students examine basic concepts that help them understand the history of all life. Included in this article is information on the world of the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Climate and Cultures of Africa

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students gain an understanding of the relationship between climate and culture in the sub- Saharan Africa. Students will complete short exercises pertaining to the various cultures of Africa and the climate in which they live....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Art to Zoo: Celebration

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Students research and develop a report on birthday rituals around the world. In this research lesson plan, students compare birthday rituals from other cultures to their own. Images and resources are included.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lift and Drag: Principles of Flight and the Soaring Imagination

For Teachers 2nd - 8th
Students construct models of early gas balloons and gliders. In this balloon and glider lesson, students create models of early gas balloons and gliders, discover how the forces of lift and drag effect aircraft in flight, and put on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Bridges: Living in a Diverse Society

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Learners participate in various activities that help them build esteem, and explore racism. In this multicultural lesson plan, Students increase their awareness of, and appreciation for, cultural differences and similarities. This...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History Close to Home: Creating Your Own Special Museum

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students create their own museum exhibit. In this museum creation lesson plan, students research their local history so they can decide on a theme for their exhibit and what objects they will use in order to design a museum exhibit. A...