The amendments to the Constitution offer a great opportunity to show students how ideas evolve. I would ask students to unpack and rephrase some of the most important amendments, such as Amendment 13 prohibiting slavery, or Amendment 19 which gave …
When teaching a history lesson about The Salem Witch Trials, I would ask students to consider these events from the perspective of the accused. Many accused persons were upstanding members of the community, yet often their friends in town refused …
During my unit on the Revolutionary War, students always enjoy learning about the treasonous history of Benedict Arnold. After walking students through the actions that made Benedict Arnold a household name synonymous with “traitor,” I would present the Aristotle conversation …
When reading Aesop’s Fables with my students, I would use the fable, “The Donkey, The Fox, and The Lion” to teach my students about friendship and betrayal. Before reading the fable, I would introduce this concept by having a discussion …
Before reading A Bargain for Frances, I could use the conversation inspired by Dr. Seuss about risk-taking. This will spark a great discussion about decision-making and the value in taking risks. During and after the reading of this story, students …
When teaching about Industrialization, I want students to understand that while inventions and adaptations have helped society in countless ways, these benefits don’t come without a price–in the form of negative environmental impact. In my lesson I use the essential …
When teaching students about the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the impact these explorers had on the future of Westward Expansion, I see a great opportunity to frame the expedition as a story of hard work and perseverance. Though they …
In my social studies curriculum, we examine how the culture of a population changes over time due to outside influences. The best example of this is The United States, often described as a “melting pot.” I first pose the following …
In a unit on Puritans and Colonial America, in which students learn that the Puritans fled from England to pursue religious freedom, I would use the Cheyenne proverb, “Our first teacher is our own heart.” I would introduce this conversation …
One of the best American novelists to teach us about diversity and the second-generation immigrant experience is Amy Tan. In her short story, “Fish Cheeks,“ the narrator is ashamed and embarrassed of her family’s authentic Chinese menu on Christmas Eve. …
One text I use to teach about diversity is Everybody Cooks Rice by Norah Dooley. In this story, a young girl visits all her neighbors’ home, and sees that everyone is making rice for dinner, only they’re doing so in …
Emerging research about the psychology behind altruism offer an interesting lens through which students can examine the happiness attained throughout selflessness. I would start this lesson by discussing the Booker T. Washington conversation about happiness, and ask students to share …
