National Gallery of Canada
A Unity Wall Drawing
Build class community with an art project. Learners first examine and discuss works of art. They then contribute to a class mural by tracing their hands and decorating them in relation to their own cultures. The final mural incorporates...
PE Central
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with Dance
Erin go bragh! Enliven your St. Patrick's Day celebration by teaching your class members some of the combinations found in traditional Irish step dancing.
National Gallery of Canada
Make a Parfleche
Examine American Indian art and culture by observing contemporary art and creating original pieces. Class members discuss artwork included in the plan and use these images to help inspire their own work, which should represent their...
National Gallery of Canada
A Cultural Portrait
Explore heritage and identity through an examination of art and a related project. The featured art, related to the African diaspora, includes several types of art created by different artists. Pupils consider their own backgrounds and...
US National Archives
The Royal Seal What Can It Tell Us?
Analyze the images and details of the Great Seal of Queen Elizabeth I, and discover clues that reveal how one of the greatest monarchs in the history of England wished to be seen and respected. This is a great way to discuss how even to...
National Museum of the American Indian
To Honor & Comfort Native Quilting Traditions
"Native American history leaps boldly off the colorful quilts and patchwork designs." Learners discuss Native American identity and symbolism by reading about a variety of Native quilters and their unique art process, and participate in...
Sargent Art
Glass Jar Sand Art: Inspired by Navajo Sand Painting
Sand has been used as an artistic medium for centuries and can be found in cultures across the globe. The class examines sand art created by the Navajo people. They mix tempera paint and sand to create their colors, and then fill jars,...
Curated OER
World War I
Eleventh graders investigate propaganda used during World War I. In this World War I lesson, 11th graders examine propaganda from the war and analyze war posters. Students then create their own propaganda posters on listed topics.
Curated OER
The Greatest Educational Change America Has Ever Seen
Young scholars connect the symbols from the design of the United States Mint Fifty State Quarters Program to our country's history in this five-lesson unit. The culture, unique heritage, and geography of the individual states are probed.
Curated OER
Love It or Leave It?
Students identify flags by country, then research the symbolism and history of those flags in preparation for writing and delivering oral presentations. For homework, they write essays reflecting on the relationship between flags,...
Curated OER
What Does That Flag Mean?
Students describe how symbolism is used in flags as they research the symbolism in country flags and create a new flag design. They begin investigating the meaning behind the Olympic flag and then continue with the flags of South Africa...
Curated OER
The French Revolution (1789–1799)
In this online interactive history activity, students respond to 8 short answer and essay questions about the French Revolution. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive activity.
Curated OER
Destiny Determined: Power & Ritual in Asia
Students brainstorm a list of symbols that represent our cultural values. They research symbols of China and Japan. Students create a timeline showing how symbols have evolved in these two countries. They view the video "Showing the...
Curated OER
The Huichol Community of Mexico: Communicating with Symbols
Students study the Huichol Indians. In this Huichol lesson, students red The Journey of Tunuri and the Blue Deer, design a visual story using symbols, and make a painting using large paper shapes. A class mural project is also included.
Curated OER
Stop the Bus: Confronting Our Assumptions About Muslims in America
Students explore Virginia Interfaith Center's A More Perfect Union "Misunderstanding" Ad Campaign, view two episodes of PBS America at a Crossroads series, examine historical context of colonialism and geo-political tensions in Middle...
Curated OER
Arthur: The Once And Future King
Middle and high schoolers work in groups to research tales of King Arthur, using primary sources. They present the major themes and symbols from these stories, and discuss how they still relevant in today's world. Use this lesson to...
Carolina K-12
The Mini Page: July 14 is Bastille Day
July 14th, 1789 marked the beginning of the French Revolution and the end of French aristocracy. Read all about Bastille Day with a kids' newspaper that also includes articles on American popular culture, the circulatory system, and...
Curated OER
African Art: Ntan Drum
Students study African history, anthropology and culture using the lens of the art object, Ntan Drum. Lesson and instruction is differentiated for elementary, middle and high school students.
Curated OER
American Heritage Themes
Students explore American freedom, unity, progress, and responsibility. In this American history lesson, students discuss what it means to be an American as they reflect on contributions of noteworthy Americans and write a composition...
Curated OER
Building a Nation
Eighth graders identify the main ideas of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. They read and discuss text, read and summarize a section of the Declaration of Independence in small groups, and write a paper on why the colonists felt it...
Curated OER
Master Spy
Students explain that a code is a system of symbols, letters, words, or signals that are used instead of ordinary words and numbers to send messages or to store information. They practice deciphering a variety of secret codes used in...
Curated OER
Cinco de Mayo
Students investigate the Cinco de Mayo holiday. They discuss the history of Cinco de Mayo, listen to the Legend of the Mexican flag, color a worksheet of the Mexican flag, and create a class coat of arms.
Curated OER
Centers of the Storm: The Lyceum and the Circle at the University of Mississippi
Greek Revival architecture and the Civil Rights Movement? Sure! Examine how the Lyceum and Circle, two historic buildings located on the campus of the University of Mississippi, relate to integration and the 1962 riot on the university...
Curated OER
Romans of the New World
Who were the Iroquois, and how did they compare with the Romans? Attached is a three-page article and a set of accompanying questions. Only four questions are included, but you could require your readers to write two or three...