After reading a series of primary source documents detailing the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, class members craft newspaper columns assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each man's vision, and present their...

For many people, Barack Obama's presidency was the next step in Martin Luther King, Jr's dream of America's future. Explore the dreams of Americans past and present, as well as the young Americans in your class, with a set of activities...

What is peace and what does it mean to our society? To understand why peace is celebrated and what character traits or concepts relate to the action of peace, learners engage in a discussion, story time, and a craft project. The lesson...

"Much has been given us, and much will rightfully be expected from us." As part of a series of worksheets that provide readers with an opportunity to develop their primary source comprehension skills, kids examine an excerpt from...

With new leadership comes new hope! After years of violence, the people of Colombia elect a new president ... could this mean an end to conflict? Civics scholars take part in a large group role-playing exercise designed to illustrate the...

Why did Stephen Douglas support the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854? Why did Abraham Lincoln oppose it? Young historians examine how the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 affected the political balance between free and slave states and explore how...

Young scholars discuss peacemaking. In this political policy and emotions lesson plan, students explore ideas for expressing feelings in the aftermath of September 11, 2001. Young scholars reflect on punitive and restorative justice.

Eleventh graders explain Davis's views on Southern Secession.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders read and analyze primary sources. 

Students, in pairs, explore how to set up and use a "Peace Place," which is a special place to go to center themselves when they are upset or angry.

Here are five quick lessons you can use to introduce your class to religions from around the world. They view and perform a Native American dance, watch a video on Judaism, compare the difference between Catholics and Protestants, watch...

Research the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Rosa Parks. Set up different centers and have learners rotate through the activities aimed at researching Rosa Parks. They read The Bus Ride that Changed History: The Story of Rosa Parks, write a...

Learners compare and contrast families around the world emphasizing the country of India. In this families lesson plan, students share and learn about roles in families, how we share characteristics, and how families in India are similar...

Ninth graders gain knowledge of Korea. They are exposed to the importance of summit talks in fostering mutual understanding, futhering North-South relations and beginning the journey towards reunification in Korean history. Students...

Students explore Chief Cornplanter and his importance as the leader of the Seneca tribe.  In this Chief Cornplanter lesson, students examine how the Seneca land was taken over by the right of eminent domain.  Students answer...

Students investigate student psychology by reading assigned text about nonviolence. In this conflict resolution activity, students read nine specific steps they should take the next time they are in an argument with someone. Students...

Students create a family tree. In this genealogy lesson plan, students research their family history and create a pictorial representation of their family tree. Students use the computer to design the layout and scan pictures.  

Young scholars investigate the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In this segregation lesson, students explore the rights that were guaranteed by the legislation as well as attempts by southerners to stop African Americans from voting. Young...

In this Cold War activity, students read an article titled "Introduction to the Early Origins of the Cold War," and then make a list of key dates and events from the selection.

Young scholars are given certain privileges or have freedoms taken away based on their eye color to demonstrate what it feels like to be singled out by uncontrollable factors. In this singled out lesson plan, students discuss how it...

Students discover the customs of Ramadan. In this Muslim beliefs lesson, students research the listed Web sites about the history of Ramadan, the evolution of calendars, and the separation of church and state.

Students use the Internet to discover information about Independence Hall. They examine the effort to preserve the building for further generations and a history of other sights in Philadelphia.

Fourth graders investigate philosophy by researching the life of Mahatma Gandhi. In this historical biography lesson, 4th graders examine the peaceful philosophy of India's most famous resident. Students participate in role-playing...

Students brainstorm a list of negative stereotypes in the African-American society. In groups, they develop ways to decrease the chance of them living in poverty and being in trouble with the law. They develop ways to solve problems...

Young scholars apply specific reading strategies to answer questions about the selection Freedom on the Menu. In this reading comprehension lesson, students read a selection called Freedom on the Menu and use specific reading strategies...