Library of Congress
Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the Fugitive Slave Act
From the time of its publication, Uncle Tom's Cabin has been controversial. To better understand the debate, class members first examine a broadside decrying the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, and then two newspaper reviews of the novel...
Centervention
Halloween Worksheets: Emotional Monsters
Eight blank monster faces make up an activity that tasks scholars with drawing a face that corresponds to a specific emotion. Feelings include happiness, confusion, silliness, and more.
Centervention
Halloween Worksheets: Emotions Jack-O-Lanterns
Scholars give life to a pumpkin as they design a Jack O'Lantern that exudes a certain emotion. Participants choose one of nine feeling words, or add up to three that aren't listed, locate and cut out face pieces, then glue them to the...
Curated OER
What if Your Parent Ran for President?
Throughout history, many people have run for president. But, what is that like for the children of those individuals? Kids read a bit about Mitt Romney and his five children, then respond to a writing prompt in a blog post. They describe...
Curated OER
What Do You Think of Obama's Oval Office Speech on the Oil Spill?
Kids age 13 and older are asked to read the provided Times article and background information in order to construct a thoughtful blog response to Obama's first Oval Office speech. They work to address each of the related critical...
PBS
Analyzing Stop and Frisk Through Personal Stories and Infographics
How much can you learn about an important topic from a single image? High schoolers analyze an infographic that represents the number of stops performed during the Stop and Frisk police procedure. After building background information...
Curated OER
Primary and Secondary Sources - 7th
A link to a beautiful Animoto presentation is included, giving examples of primary sources that a student might want to contact when doing research. Using the Topaz Internment Camp in Utah as a sample topic, middle schoolers view a slide...
Health Smart Virginia
How the Namuhs Learned to Be Content with Who They Are
Ninth graders consider how perceived standards of beauty influence body image as well as the relationship between body image and eating disorders. The class brainstorms traits the media presents as beauty standards for males and females,...
Curated OER
The Media and Social Justice in the United States
Pupils have group discussions that allow the teacher to assess the level of comprehension of the ideas of subjectivity and objectivity. Level of discussion at the end of the class provides some indication of comprehension as well....
Curated OER
America and Canada: The Post Cold War Era
Students discuss the provoking question, "What does the term social change mean?" They discuss the social changes taking place during and following the Cold War. Students participate in a short discussion, they are presented with facts...
Curated OER
Safe In the City
Students read a news article about the most dangerous cities in the United States. In groups, they develop a plan to present to the city council to improve the situation in their own community. They examine how the media presents the...
Curated OER
Jelly Bracelets: Fashion or Sex Game?
Ever-changing fashion fads are the ideal context for an engaging sociology experiment for adolescents. Through research and conducting a survey, learners draw conclusions about the controversial jelly bracelets fad, banned in some...
Curated OER
Images of America--Analyzing Music Videos
Students compare the message of a songs lyrics to the images chosen to include in a video of that song, and search for deeper meaning in the choices.
Curated OER
Sex Stereotypes in Society
Students analyze a collection of advertisements or photographs in a text or magazine and identify the stereotypes used or possible biases of the editors. They discuss how these stereotypes are formed, and the ways in which they impact...
Curated OER
Buy Nothing Day
Students discover Buy Nothing Day. In this consumer awareness activity, students discuss their spending habits and consider the effects of mass consumerism. Students discuss alternative activities to shopping on Buy Nothing Day.
Curated OER
International Curiosity and National Pride
Students analyze their own culture and a Bulgarian culture to identify national, local, or ethnic traits. In this culture analysis lesson plan, students identify three important characteristics of their culture and compose a list of...
Curated OER
My Own Private Idaho; Using Social Studies to Explore Idaho
Students engage in several activities to explore Idaho and Social Studies themes. Using an variety of media, students become familiar with Idaho's geography and geology.
Curated OER
“Leading Doctors Say…”
Seventh graders analyze how media and celebrities influence consumers. In this social studies lesson, 7th graders view different commercials and discuss their advertising techniques. They explain why celebrities are often used to give...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Leaks and Gossip
For this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about media leaks and gossip and respond to 3 talking point questions.
Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights
Van Jones: Police Brutality
Develop an understanding of how the media and society are connected and responsible for the defense of universal human rights. Learners investigate and examine the conflicts of police brutality as it is portrayed in the media and through...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Chronicling America: Uncovering a World at War
As part of a study of World War I, class members read newspaper articles from the time that urge American involvement, non-involvement, or neutrality. Using the provided worksheet, groups analyze the articles noting the central argument...
C-SPAN
Historical Presidential Campaign Announcement Analysis
Using the announcements of presidential candidacies, pupils consider how contenders make their initial arguments to the public. A worksheet helps structure collaborative work to analyze 10 video clips. Writing prompts allow for extension...
Our White House
The Our White House Inauguration Celebration Kit for Kids!
Get the youngest American citizens involved in the presidential election and inauguration with a set of social studies activities. Focusing on the history of presidential inauguration ceremonies, learners draft their own poems, design...
Facing History and Ourselves
The Nazi Party Platform
Not all party platforms stay democratic. A resource covers many political issues in Germany during the time of World War II, and teaches pupils about the Nazi party platform and what went wrong. Individuals participate in a warm-up...