Curated OER
Greek Gods Who Are They?
Sixth graders research a Greek God with a partner and prepare a presentation for the class. They use the computer and Internet, as a motivator for a Social Studies unit and explore the mythology, legends, values and beliefs of a people.
National Endowment for the Humanities
The 1828 Campaign of Andrew Jackson and the Growth of Party Politics
High schoolers analyze changes in voter participation and regional power, and review archival campaign documents reflecting the dawn of politics as we know it during the critical years from 1824 to 1832. Students utilize worksheets and...
Curated OER
Think Fast! What Would You Do If . . .
Fifth graders use critical thinking and problem solving skills. It allows students to make choices and to use imagination to develop a solution for each problem. Solutions are then presented to the class.
Curated OER
"Who Was Lee Harvey Oswald?"
High schoolers view a documentary on Lee Harvey Oswald. They take notes during the film and use their critical thinking skills. They share their observations with the class and discuss.
Curated OER
Slums in the Spotlight: Will the Millennium Development Goals’ Target be Met?
Students examine the conditions of slums in the world. In this critical thinking skills instructional activity, students compare the places that people live in the world as they view scenes from the film "Slumdog Millionaire." Students...
Curated OER
Editorial Cartoon Lesson Plan
Students consider the role of editorial cartoons on American politics. In this editorial cartoons instructional activity, students discover the history of the cartoons in America, analyze some cartoons, and then draw their own cartoons...
Curated OER
Tunisia to Egypt & Beyond: Freedom & Democracy?
Students examine democratic values. In this current events lesson, students watch video clips about rebellions on Tunisia and Egypt. Students respond to the provided discussion questions and participate in a critical thinking activity on...
PBS
The March on Washington and Its Impact
High schoolers read Martin Luther King, Jr's speech that he gave in Washington. They identify the social conditions that led to the civil rights movement. They discuss the significance of the March on Washington.
Curated OER
Create a Board Game
Students research, design, and create a game board based on information learned in ancient civilizations' social studies units. They utilize computer technology to research the project, as well as, textbooks, in-class library and video...
Curated OER
The First American Party System: A Documentary Timeline of Important Events (1787-1800)
Learners conduct research on the events of the end of the 18th century in order to identify critical factors leading to the development of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican political parties. They summarize the key positions of...
Curated OER
Electoral Politics
Students formulate their own opinions about the issues in an election campaign through a critical examination of political advertisements, candidate debates, and political cartoons.
Curated OER
Binge Drinking and Drug Use
Students critically evaluate young peoples' comments on under age drinking. They map out valleys tieing together communities and drinking problems in a variety of situation. In addition, they correlate drinking and education in schools...
Curated OER
Messages in Art Work
Observe images and discuss what messages they convey. In this critical thinking lesson plan, students determine whether works of art are trying to persuade their audience. They also consider the media and how they communicate messages to...
Curated OER
The Plight of Four Million Newly Emancipated Slaves: Reconstruction - 1865-1877
Students study the Reconstruction Era after the US Civil War. In this Reconstruction lesson set, students examine the problems that were encountered by the South after the Civil War, look at different plans for Reconstruction, and...
Curated OER
Territory and Statehood of Iowa
Fifth graders recognize the steps to create a territory, a district and a state. In this Iowa lesson, 5th graders discuss the three capitals and their importance. Students recognize the key people in the development of Iowa. Students...
Curated OER
A Changing of the Guard: Traditionalists, Feminists, and the New Face of Women in Congress
Students explore the role of women as Congressional leaders. In this women's rights lesson, students identify and investigate the impact of women representatives and senators in the U.S. Legislative Branch. Comprehension questions, data,...
Curated OER
The Cotillion or One Good Bull is Half the Herd, a Black Arts Movement novel by John O. Killens
Students study late twentieth-century African American satirical literature as well as its cultural antecedents. they analyze and discuss, within the contexts of race and gender, the social criticism of the middle classes presented by...
Curated OER
Light My Fire
Young scholars create their own girandoles using common art products and Model Magic in this cross-curricular lesson suitable for the Art or Social Studies classroom. This lesson includes a short vocabulary list.
Curated OER
American Genre Painting in the Nineteenth Century: Teaching Artistic Interpretation as a Tool for Critically Viewing History
Students view a variety of artwork to determine the history and lifestyle of people from New Haven, Connecticut. In groups, they develop their individual hypothesis about why the paintings were created and share them with their group...
Curated OER
Historical Witness: Social Messaging
Students research the effects of the Industrial Revolution through art and satire. In this Industrial Revolution instructional activity, students complete a Venn diagram, a symbolism study, a satire study, and complete an art activity to...
Curated OER
Which Sides Are You on? A critical Issue Debate
Students study public issues and become more aware of local issues. For this economics lesson students are given some local controversial issues and several viewpoints to analyze. They then research and review the topic with the class.
Curated OER
A Time of Social Change Chapter Review
For this 1960s and 1970s America worksheet, students review a chapter as they define 7 vocabulary terms, eliminate 5 false statements, and identify 3 historical themes pertaining to American society during the 2 decades.
Curated OER
Social Studies: Ancient Egypt
Seventh graders explore the history, geography, and culture of ancient Egypt. They research daily life and compare it with their present lives. Students, in pairs, trace their body outlines on poster paper and work individually to use...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Regions of the United States
Third graders create Powerpoint presentations of various geographic regions of the United States. They focus on the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest regions. Students combine their individual slides into a class presentation.