Curated OER
Declaration of Independence
Learners analyze a copy of the Declaration of Independence to discover how it was adopted, approved, and signed. The tone and style of the document are analyzed for intention through an exploration its the language and vocabulary.
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Using Your Senses
Students analyze the Alabama quarter and discover information about Helen Keller. They participate in an activity requiring the use of the five senses. They write about a time they were brave.
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Exposes in Different Eras: The Work of Dorothea Dix and Burton Blatt
Young scholars discover that Dorothea Dix was the first to make the pubic aware of the terrible living conditions of people with mental illness in the 1800's. They evaluate the influence of citizen action on public policy.
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Colonies and Revolution: Comparing US and Mexican History
Young scholars examine the emergence of the United States and Mexico as independent nations. They compare the colonial history of the two countries and discover the emergence of social classes.
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Oh My Darling
Students discuss human interaction with the environment and sing "Clementine" with historical fiction lyrics. They create a map or model of a mining camp in which Clementine may have lived. They discuss what might happen to their...
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Teaching Acting Technique and Building a Character Through Cinema
Students review the style techniques related to the American Method Acting and practice using them in groups. Using various scenes from films, they try to recreate the scene using props. In groups, they discover the proper way to get...
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A Guide Through the Culture of the Blues
Learners examine the history of blues music and discover how it relates to the music of today. As a class, they listen to the drum songs of Africa and compare it to the use of drums in pop music today. Using the internet, they research...
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From the Farm to Your Table: Where Does Our Food Come From?
Students discover where the food they eat comes from. Using maps, they identify the agricultural areas of the United States and the products that are grown in each area. Using the internet, they research how food gets to America from...
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A Wampanoag Thanksgiving
Students examine how the Wampanoag tribe celebrated Thanksgiving. They discover how they helped the Pilgrims when they first came to the New World. They identify the similarities and differences between people.
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Traveling the Silk Road
Pupils take a virtual trip down the Silk Road. Using a map, they trace the location of the trade route and others that were developed later. They use different spices and goods to trace how they came to the Americas. They answer...
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The Gulf War and its Consequences
Pupils study the historical background of Desert Storm/Desert Shield. They determine that not all Americans were in favor of the Gulf War and examine the Gulf War Syndrome. They discover that another possible cause pertains to...
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Mixing Up the Melting Pot
Students examine the cultures of indigenous peoples and how they have or have not assimilated into modern society. They create reports with recommendations on how the Nukak of Columbia could be assimilated into society.
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Recycling by Composting
Young scholars examine the idea of recycling by composting. Using the internet, they research the benefits of composting to the environment. In groups, they collect numbers on how much food and yard waste is produced in their...
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Makeshift Tambourines
Students use everyday materials to make their own tambourines. As a class, they play the tambourines and discover beats and rhythms. They work on creating their own song and beat and play to the rest of the class to end the lesson.
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Social Studies: Maryland and Its Culture
Students discuss the history and culture of Baltimore, Maryland. they discover the importance of the city's port along with the state bird and song. Background sources include "The Prairie Dog That Met the President" and "Journey of...
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Cultural Impact of Jim Crow Laws and the Civil Rights Movement
Students examine the Jim Crow laws and how they impacted the lives of both African Americans and white Americans. They discuss the Civil Rights Movement and how their lives may have been different had it not occurred.
Groups...
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Coronado: Misfortune's Explorer
Fourth graders discuss the importance of Coronado's expedition through Texas and the trials his men endured during the journey. They view and discuss a map of Coronado's route, the effects of weather on the Great Plains, and Buffalo....
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"West Side Story"
In this music history worksheet, students discover the musical "West Side Story" by first reading a summary of the plot. Students answer 5 questions about the story line. Students then read and analyze the lyrics to "America" and discuss...
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Lift and Drag: Principles of Flight and the Soaring Imagination
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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Digging Into the Past
Fifth graders study fossils and how they are charted. For this fossil lesson plan, 5th graders research the excavation process of discovering fossils, and view fossils. They then do a hands on activity that involves plastic fossils that...
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Helping Countries in Turmoil
Students discover the struggles of emerging democracies. For this service learning lesson, students research a non-profit agency that is assisting the people of an emerging democracy and create and advertisement.
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The Gold Rush
Young scholars identify the routes involved in the Gold Rush on a map. In this map skills instructional activity, students use a United States map to locate the routes used to travel to California during the Gold Rush. Young scholars...
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Civil Rights Leaders; Past and Present
Students explore the concept of social justice. In this Civil Rights lesson, students fulfill the Rubric for Historical Research requirements as they conduct research on a Civil Rights or Anti-Apartheid Movements leader.
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A Day at Mount Vernon
Students discover daily life on George Washington's plantation, Mount Vernon. In this compare and contrast lesson, students examine the life styles at four distinct sites at Mount Vernon to become familiar with the people, places, and...