Teachers First - Thinking Teachers Teaching Thinkers

This lesson plan from PBS NewsHour Classroom introduces students to the art and knowledge of the ancient Mayan civilization. Through video transcripts, discussions, and hands-on activities, students will explore how Mayan art reflects their understanding of astronomy, mathematics, and daily life. The lesson includes critical thinking prompts and extension activities to help students make connections between ancient and modern cultures. With its engaging and interdisciplinary approach, this resource is perfect for bringing history, art, and science together in the classroom!

tag(s): mayans (23), mexico (37)

Discover the Maya Empire with PBS LearningMedia! This educational resource provides an engaging introduction to the Mayan Empire, perfect for upper elementary and middle school students. Through a short, informative video, students will explore the achievements of the Mayan civilization in architecture, astronomy, and writing. The resource includes discussion questions and activities to reinforce learning and encourage critical thinking. With its high-quality, standards-aligned content, this tool is a great way to bring history to life in the classroom!

tag(s): mayans (23), mexico (37)

Stuff You Should Know: The Mayan Civilization is a fifty-three minute video podcast on YouTube. The video starts by highlighting the other podcasts they have done on the Ancient Mayan and sharing other Ancient Mayan podcasts they will be doing. Over the course of the fifty plus minute podcast, narrators Josh and Chuck share the highlights of the civilization, the cities, whether or not the civilization is really gone, the geography, the different periods/ages of the civilizations, and comparisons to other civilizations, regions, and/or societies. Note that there is a reference to genocide, mass graves, human sacrifices, and more. We always recommend previewing if you are unsure if the content is appropriate.

tag(s): mayans (23), south america (47)

Geography.com is an engaging educational resource that helps teachers bring geography to life in the classroom. The site offers interactive maps, quizzes, articles, and videos covering physical geography, human geography, climate, and world cultures. It provides student-friendly explanations, real-world examples, and multimedia content to support lessons on global issues, ecosystems, and geographic concepts. With its interactive approach, Geography.com is a valuable tool for fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and spatial awareness in students of all grade levels.

tag(s): climate (84), critical thinking (127), cultures (180), ecosystems (83), maps (220), multimedia (53)

Explore this detailed guide to the history of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female battalion to serve overseas during World War II. It highlights the battalion's critical role in clearing a massive backlog of mail to boost troop morale and their perseverance in the face of racism, sexism, and challenging conditions. The guide offers access to primary sources, such as photographs, official records, and news articles, along with historical analysis that situates their contributions within the broader context of the war and civil rights. This resource is a valuable tool for educators, featuring side tabs with timelines, related collections, and teaching resources, making it ideal for lessons on women's history, African American history, and military history.

tag(s): black history (133), civil rights (209), women (151), womenchangemaker (37), world war 2 (161)

Explore this valuable tool for educators; it offers curated collections of primary sources, historical documents, and research materials across a wide range of subjects. These guides help teachers incorporate authentic historical artifacts, government records, and literary works into their lessons, enhancing students' critical thinking and research skills. With ready-to-use teaching resources, topic guides, and bibliographies, this site supports interdisciplinary learning and provides rich content for inquiry-based projects in history, literature, civics, and more.

tag(s): african american (115), architecture (75), black history (133), branches of government (65), civil rights (209), civil war (139), conservation (102), energy (133), engineering (129), environment (252), foreign policy (13), hispanic (36), industrialization (12), jews (33), latin (23), literature (221), middle east (50), native americans (109), nutrition (140), photography (130), politics (118), population (51), religions (95), Research (87), sports (82), statistics (121), Teacher Utilities (198), women (151), womenchangemaker (37), womens suffrage (52)

NPR (National Public Radio) is a valuable resource for educators, offering high-quality news, podcasts, and articles on current events, culture, science, and history. The site features engaging audio stories, in-depth journalism, and educational content that can enhance classroom discussions and critical thinking skills. Teachers can use NPR's stories to connect lessons to real-world events, introduce students to diverse perspectives, and encourage media literacy. Additionally, NPR's student-friendly resources, such as NPR Ed and Student Podcast Challenge, provide interactive and project-based learning opportunities.

tag(s): civil rights (209), cultures (180), journalism (74), news (229), podcasts (108), scientists (67), space (222)

The Oriental Museum's Indus Valley Mystery is a site that allows you to gain information on the mystery of the Indus Valley civilization. The site helps you answer the when, where, who, what, why, and how through artifacts and photographs. There is a disclaimer that there are images of human skeleton remains.

tag(s): asia (116), cultures (180)

Explore the fascinating world of Ancient Rome with this engaging and regularly updated YouTube playlist! From the unique apartments where everyday Romans lived to the surprising origins of fast food, these videos bring history to life with captivating stories and insights. You'll also find content on Rome's legendary leaders, the civilization's greatest achievements, and even eerie tales like the most famous ghost story of ancient Rome. This playlist offers a dynamic way to connect students with the past! The videos are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
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tag(s): cultures (180), fashion (12), holidays (187), italy (30), literature (221), religions (95), romans (52), rome (37)

The Milwaukee Public Museum's "Roman Empire: A Brief History" page provides an engaging overview of the Roman Empire, highlighting its rise, expansion, and significant achievements. This resource is part of a larger collection linking artifacts to the historical context of Roman daily life, trade, and culture. Teachers can use this site to introduce students to key aspects of Roman history, including its innovations, governance, and influence on the ancient Mediterranean world. The page is a valuable supplement to lessons on ancient civilizations, offering connections between historical artifacts and the broader story of Rome.

tag(s): italy (30), romans (52), rome (37)

"The Roman Empire - History Documentary" provides an engaging and visually rich overview of the rise, peak, and fall of the Roman Empire. Covering key aspects such as the formation of the Republic, significant emperors, monumental achievements, and eventual decline, this documentary is an excellent resource for middle and high school students. Its clear narration and historical reenactments make complex topics accessible and captivating. Teachers can use this video to introduce Ancient Rome, reinforce classroom lessons, or spark discussions about the Empire's legacy and its influence on modern civilization. If your district blocks YouTube, then the video may not be viewable.
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tag(s): italian (31), romans (52), rome (37)

Step back in time and explore the wonders of Ancient Egypt with CrashCourse! This engaging and visually appealing video is perfect for teachers and students alike, offering a fast-paced, expertly crafted journey through one of the world's most fascinating civilizations. From the pyramids and pharaohs to mummies and hieroglyphs, this resource simplifies complex history into bite-sized, entertaining lessons. Whether you're sparking curiosity in the classroom or enriching your own understanding, this course is your gateway to bringing Ancient Egypt to life.
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tag(s): cultures (180), egypt (56), pyramids (21)

Step into the wonders of ancient Egypt without leaving your classroom with the Smithsonian's Egypt Virtual Tour! This interactive resource takes students on a captivating journey through Egypt's most iconic landmarks, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Sphinx, and the temples of Luxor and Karnak. The tour brings history to life with stunning visuals and detailed descriptions, offering insights into ancient Egyptian architecture, culture, and daily life. Perfect for upper elementary through high school students, this virtual experience makes learning immersive and exciting, fostering curiosity and a deeper connection to one of the world's greatest civilizations.

tag(s): asia (116), egypt (56), rivers (16), virtual field trips (128)

Arzamas's Ancient Greece in Eighteen Minutes shares highlights of the two-thousand-year civilization. The video highlights the Dark Ages, Athens and Sparta, the Graeco-Persian War, the Peloponnesian War, Alexander the Great, and the rise of Rome.
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tag(s): cultures (180), greece (47), greek (47), greeks (46)

BBC's Bite Size on Ancient Greece answers the question, "What was it like to live in Ancient Greece?" Find information on homes, fashion, food, toys, and games. The site includes three activities focusing on Ancient Greek families, a quiz, and an Argo Odyssey Game. The activities and quiz are available anywhere. However, the game is only available if you live in England.

tag(s): fashion (12), greece (47)

Unlock the keys to history with gamified activities and escape rooms that you can personalize using Genially, reviewed here. Customizable content includes options to add audio, video, multimedia, text, and interactive images. Begin by choosing the "Use this template" link to add the thirty-two-slide template to your Genially dashboard. Add information to each slide following the information provided to guide students through four missions. Invite students to join a live presentation using their devices or work together as a class using a live presentation on your whiteboard.

tag(s): digital escapes (15), game based learning (205), gamification (83), mysteries (23)

The Penn Museum's Roman World website offers an interactive and educational resource for teachers exploring Ancient Rome with their students. It provides engaging content on Roman history, culture, and daily life through artifacts, maps, and virtual exhibits. The website includes sections on Roman government, engineering, art, and religion, supported by detailed descriptions and visuals. Teachers can use this resource to enhance lessons by showcasing actual artifacts and encouraging critical discussions about their significance. The site's interactive elements and accessible format make it an excellent tool for bringing the Roman world to life in the classroom.

tag(s): italy (30), romans (52), rome (37)

View this detailed and engaging resource for teachers to support lessons on Roman history. It covers key topics such as the founding of Rome, the Roman Republic and Empire, cultural achievements, military conquests, and the eventual decline of the empire. The page includes accessible text, timelines, and multimedia resources like videos and images, making it suitable for various teaching styles. Teachers can use this resource to provide students with a comprehensive overview of Ancient Rome, connect historical events to broader themes, and encourage critical thinking about the impact of Roman civilization on the modern world.

tag(s): cultures (180), italy (30), multimedia (53), romans (52), rome (37)

The Getty website "Gods, Heroes, and Monsters: Mythology in European Art" is designed to help explore the intersection of mythology and art with their students. This resource includes detailed lesson plans that guide students in analyzing artworks inspired by Greek, Roman, and other cultural myths. Lessons cover topics such as identifying mythological characters, interpreting stories depicted in art, and understanding the cultural significance of myths. The curriculum features engaging activities like comparing myths across cultures, creating visual representations of mythological tales, and exploring the symbolism in famous artworks. With printable resources, discussion prompts, and project ideas, this curriculum supports teachers in fostering a deeper appreciation of mythology and its influence on art.

tag(s): europe (84), greek (47), myths and legends (37), romans (52)

The Getty Education website's Asian Influences curriculum explores of how Asian art, culture, and ideas have shaped artistic traditions worldwide. This resource includes lesson plans, activities, and multimedia content that help students understand the impact of Asian aesthetics on various art forms. It covers topics such as the Silk Road's role in cultural exchange, the influence of Asian themes in European art, and traditional Asian artistic techniques. Focusing on cross-cultural connections, this curriculum provides a valuable framework for integrating art history and global studies into the classroom.

tag(s): art history (103), asia (116), china (81)