Curated OER
Passport to Stories Around the World
Students read stories from various cultures and create a passport indicating the completion and comprehension of the story. The template for the passport is included. The instructional activity can be used for a broad range of ages...
Curated OER
Travel to Mesoamerica
Students research books, watch movies, and look on the internet to find information on ancient America, Mexico, and Central America. In this Mesoamerica lesson plan, students participate in a social studies unit on North America of the...
Curated OER
Early Colonial Labor Force: Indentured Servants and Slaves
Students study the labor force used during Colonial America. In this Colonial America lesson, students discuss labor types used in the colonies. Students read about indentured servants and the use of African slaves. Students...
Curated OER
The Roanoke Mystery
Fourth graders hypothesize about what happened on the island of Roanoke. In this South Carolina history lesson, 4th graders use primary documents to draw conclusions about what happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke. This mini-unit...
Curated OER
Lost in Uruguay
This quiz on the culture and geography of Uruguay may serve best as a sponge activity for those who have finished an assignment. Questions are multiple-choice, and each correct answer is worth 15 points. Quiz-takers must earn 1000 points...
Curated OER
Little America in Liberia
Students study the history of Liberia prior to and after the influx of immigrants of African Americans. They investigate the cultural differences between the African Americans and newly-arrived Liberians.
Curated OER
Korea Cultural Lesson Plan
High schoolers engage in a study of geography and maps of Korea. They examine charts and graphs. Students are expected to interpret the information accurately and completely. The geography skills can be used on other countries as well.
Curated OER
Boombox Classroom: Migration of Music
In this music worksheet, students complete two multiple choice questions about music moving from one culture to another. They write a sentence explaining why slavery is wrong. Students name types of music African-Americans brought with...
Curated OER
Investigating the Harlem Renaissance
The work of Langston Hughes opens the door to research into the origin and legacy of the Harlem Renaissance and how the literature of the period can be viewed as a commentary on race relations in America. In addition, groups are assigned...
Curated OER
The African Slave Trade: From West Africa to South Carolina and Beyond
Eighth graders explore the African slave trade. They identify the principal figures practicing the African slave trades at three locations. Students draw the physical routes of the slave trade on a map and they list the reasons for the...
Curated OER
At Your Fingertips
First graders observe a variety of different foods including kiwi, banbnas, coffee, chocolate and discuss where they come from. They discuss the terms import and export then identify the locations where the items came from and their...
PBS
Make a Balloon Globe
"We've got the whole world in our hands," is what your students will be singing after completing this fun geography activity. Using the included templates for the seven continents and a balloon, they create their very own globes.
Smithsonian Institution
Fighting For Freedom: The Stono Rebellion and Free Frank McWhorter
Travel back in time to the Stono Rebellion. Young historians research historical figures who played a role in African Americans' fight to escape slavery. Scholars research material, complete handouts, participate in group discussion, and...
Teaching Tolerance
Why Do We (Still) Celebrate Columbus Day?
What are we really celebrating on Columbus Day? The resource explores the narrative behind Columbus Day and ways for people to change the perception. Scholars also review vocabulary terms associated with the topic and how attitudes have...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper’s “Learning to Read”
Frances Ellen Watkins Harper's poem "Learning to Read" is the focus of a lesson that teaches middle schoolers how to do a close reading of a text. The lesson introduces them to a brief biography of the poet, includes a video reading, and...
Curated OER
Contributions - Grade 3
Third graders research and report on the contributions of the First Nations. In this First Nations contribution lesson, 3rd graders read and discuss books about the Metis, Inuit and other First Nations. They compare and contrast the...
Curated OER
Turn of the Century Immigration
High schoolers explore the immigration wave that hit the United States in 19th century. In this immigration activity, students examine primary and secondary sources to determine what the immigration experience was like for new citizens....
Midwest Institute for Native American Studies
Introduction to Pre-Columbian Lessons
Native peoples established civilizations all over Central and North America. Introduce native civilizations with a unit that promotes discussion, reinforces map skills, enhances reading comprehension, and exposes young historians to...
Curated OER
Ancient Artifacts
Students research the earliest Americans. In this ancient civilizations lesson, students investigate the Mayas, Aztecs, and Incas. Students examine artifacts used in the cultures and then determine what the artifacts were used for and...
Crafting Freedom
Man in the Middle: Thomas Day and the Free Black Experience
How did free and enslaved blacks work to craft freedom for themselves and their families before the Civil War? Young historians read about the life of Thomas Day, a free black man who also owned slaves and had abolitionist ties in...
Curated OER
Coiling Geography "On the Pampas"
First graders are introduced to the rope coiling form of art used by the gaucho culture of South America. They read "On the Pampas" by Maria Cristina Brusca, view the illustrations of the coiling technique and create original pieces.
Curated OER
Mayan History
Learners examine Mayan contributions to the world. In this Mesoamerican culture lesson plan, students view a slideshow about the Maya and then peruse books about the accomplishments of the culture. Learners...
Curated OER
Continents And Islands
Young scholars engage in a literature study in order to address the concept of exploring the culture of Puerto Rico. The lesson looks at the culture through the eyes of two children. This helps students to connect to the content of the...
Curated OER
Region Reality
Eighth graders compare and contrast world regions and explore the theme of world regions. In this world geography lesson, 8th graders name regions in the U.S. and mark them on a map. Students discuss the cultural and physical...