Learners explore the lives and cities of the people of Mali. After reading the story "Mansa Musa," they discuss the illustrations in the story and which story elements are facts and which are embellishments. Students create their own...

Students investigate the lives and homes of Mongolian nomadic herders. They determine how the climate, available building supplies, and cultural traditions influence how the homes are built. Using art supplies, they make a replica of a...

What is a parfleche? It is a box used by the Plains Indians to carry goods as they traveled. First, the class will discuss the uses of these highly ornate boxes and the nature of the Plains Indians' nomadic lifestyle. Then, the class...

Students build and decorate miniature yurts. In this Central Asian culture lesson, students discover the uses of yurts for nomads and study the artistic motifs they often display prior to making their own miniature yurts.

Students describe physical and human characteristics of North Africa and the Middle East, plot on a map areas populated by nomadic people in those areas, explain importance of filigree jewelry in Arab culture, and create their own jewelry.

Students learn what a folktale is and illustrate their favorite part of the story The Orphan Boy. They also write a folk story that explains a natural phenomena.

Pupils analyze Mongolian and Native American folktales and compare the two types. They discuss the importance of storytelling in nomadic cultures and read a story in small groups. Following the story, they answer questions and construct...

Sixth graders explore agriculture as it relates to crops over the course of a series of historical events. They read and create a timeline of the 50-year increments that depict important cause and effect events. Students then use...

Young artists of many ages apply yarn painting techniques in combining their ideas and their art. After viewing actual examples of yarn paintings created by the Huichol people, learners choose an important scene from their own lives...

Part of a series of lessons about bring Native American stories into the classroom, this plan suggests having kids research and take notes on one group of Native Americans and then complete a project that they present to the class. Pull...

Second graders compare the transportation system of the Eastern Woodland Indian Tribe and the Plains Indian Tribe. They use a chart imbedded in this lesson to further their understanding of the Plains Indians, then engage in a craft...

Learners discuss the advantages and disadvantages of private communities and the lives led by their residents. They design ideal planned communities for people featured in other Class Matters articles.

Seventh graders research the Native Americans of Texas. They create a PowerPoint presentation or poster showing the culture of the Native American tribe they were assigned.

Students act as curator of a Mongolian museum and create a brochure detailing a new exhibit of artifacts. The brochure include a floor plan of the exhibit and a description that be used in the museum tour.

Learners orally name the kinds of houses in which people live. They name materials used in building houses in other countries. They construct a house.

Students research the Cree tribe of North America. In this Native American lesson, students will research on-line, then compare and contrast the differences between the Cree tribe and other Native American tribes. Students will break...

Fifth graders study early explorers. In this World history activity, 5th graders draw an outline of a map labeling each part, build geographical features out of dough, and paint each of the land and water features.

Fourth graders read about homes in Utah over time and design models of the homes.  In this homes of the west lesson plan, 4th graders draw and label five homes that existed in the west. Students research each home and gather...

Students research the development of the steam engines. In this US history lesson, students analyze the impact of this invention to civilization. They discuss the events leading to the growth and development of different cities.

Seventh graders gain insight into the daily lives of Muslims and to develop empathy for them by studying the Islamic world and creating presentations.

Students participate in theatre activities to study American history. In this American history and theatre lesson, students work in groups to research a specific Native American group to investigate their lifestyle. Students then create...

Learners identify the phases of the Moon and the synchronous rotation.  In this hands on lesson plan students will create a model of the Moon. 

Young scholars examine the Great Wall of China. For this world wonders lesson, students discover facts about the wall and its construction as they research the landmark. Young scholars build their own replica of the wall in their classroom.

Fourth graders explore The Great Wall of China and use materials to make a class Great Wall of China students measure a portion of the classroom, school or playground and construct a "Great Wall" to scale.