Simon & Schuster
Classroom Activities for Kon-Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl
Kon-Tiki, the record of Thor Heyerdahl's 1947 raft journey across the Pacific Ocean, is the focus of three classroom activities. In a lesson on connotation and bias language, class members record instances of Heyerdahl's word choice....
Curated OER
Archaeology and Erosion
Sixth graders study how erosion affects archaeology sites. In this investigative lesson, 6th graders construct a model of a pyramid using sugar cubes. They will investigate in groups how water, wind, and sunlight affects their model...
Curated OER
"Be the Kiwi"- Whale Rider
Students discuss examples of foreshadowing and find information about the Maori culture in Whale Rider. In this Whale Rider lesson, students define foreshadowing and find examples. Students evaluate whether or...
Curated OER
Justice in America
Eleventh graders analyze primary sources for evidence of intent and purpose. In this American government instructional activity, 11th graders compose a one-page response explaining their understanding of "justice." Students read and...
Curated OER
Deciphering the Declaration of Independence
Students explore the textual meaning of the Declaration of Independence. In this Declaration of Independence lesson, students read and paraphrase the text of the document into modern-day language. Students also consider the meaning of...
Curated OER
The Need for Government—A Cinematic and Literary Perspective
Students examine the philosophy of government. In this types of government lesson, students explore literature and movie clips to determine the value of rules in lawless societies.
Curated OER
The Need for Laws
Students consider the presence of authority in their lives. In this law instructional activity, students compare forgotten laws that function in their lives to forgotten instructions in making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
Curated OER
Topic 5: Running the Business
Students explore the concept of running a business. In this running a business lesson, students put their plan of action into practice. Students market a product and try to maximize profit.
Curated OER
Exploring Life in the Coral Reef
Students study life forms in coral reefs. In this ocean life lesson, students study life in coral reefs as they create a coral reef sculpture.
The British Museum
British Museum: Explore World Cultures: Polynesia
Learn about the art of the Pacific island peoples of Polynesia in this historical overview and image gallery of Polynesian art with detailed descriptions, from the collection of the British Museum.
Central Intelligence Agency
Cia: World Factbook: French Polynesia
This resource from the CIA World Factbook provides a detailed fact sheet of French Polynesia. The content covers the country's geography, people, government, economy, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues. It...
Nations Online Project
Nations Online: French Polynesia
An excellent travel guide and country profile that takes you on a virtual trip to the French Polynesian islands in the South Pacific. An overview is given on its art, culture, people, environment, geography, history, economy, and...
Other
Thor Heyerdahl: Sea Routes to Polynesia
A lecture that gives theories about how the people of Easter Island were able to cross the Pacific. Provides maps and pictures of the island to go along with lecture points.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Terracotta Fragments, Lapita People
Archaeologists get very excited when they find pieces of Lapita pottery. Why? Because the sequential depositing of potsherds (fragments of pottery) in an easterly direction across the island groups of the Pacific has become the pivotal...
Ducksters
Ducksters: Geography for Kids: French Polynesia
This site contains a lot of information on French Polynesia. Find the history, capital, flag, climate, terrain, people, economy, and population all on this site.
Nations Online Project
Nations Online: Samoa
Good reference tool that gives you a virtual destination guide, country profile, and background information on the Polynesian islands of Samoa. Also, provides links to sources with comprehensive information on art, culture, people,...
Scholastic
Scholastic History Mystery: Peoples of the Pacific Today: The Marquesas Islands
Students try to guess the mystery subject Carlotta Facts, the History Mystery Museum's professor, is studying. They read the clues, do some online and offline research, and then attempt to identify the game's mystery place, the Marquesas...
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Polynesians Settlements
Learn about the culture of the Polynesian people. Explore topics such as their history, economy, cultural values, religion, and sociopolitical organization.
PBS
Pbs: Polynesian History and Origin
A brief overview of how Thor Heyerdahl supported his theory that the first people to Polynesia came from the east, from South America.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Hiapo (Tapa)
Gender roles played an important role in Polynesian art. Men's arts were often made of hard materials, such as wood, stone, or bone, while women's arts historically utilized soft materials, particularly fibers used to make mats and bark...
Ducksters
Ducksters: Geography for Kids: Cook Islands
Kids learn about the Geography of Cook Islands. The history, capital, flag, climate, terrain, people, economy, and population.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Geography for Kids: Niue
Kids learn about the history of Niue. The history, capital, flag, climate, terrain, people, economy, and population are all discussed on this site.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Geography for Kids: Samoa
The history, capital, flag, climate, terrain, people, economy, and population of Samoa are on this site.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Geography for Kids: Tokelau
Learn about Tokelau's history, capital, flag, climate, terrain, people, economy, and population on this site.