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return to subject listingAncient Mesopotamia for Kids - Lin and Don Donn
Grades
4 to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): architecture (68), asia (76), mesopotamia (8), middle east (45), writing (322)
In the Classroom
Print out or project images of key Mesopotamian artifacts, such as cylinder seals, clay tablets with cuneiform writing, or statues of gods and kings. Have students guess each artifact's purpose before discussing its actual use and significance based on Mr. Donn's descriptions. Using simple materials like sugar cubes, LEGO blocks, or clay, have students construct their own miniature ziggurats, the iconic Mesopotamian temple structures. After learning about cuneiform writing on Mr. Donn's site, give students clay or soft modeling dough to create their own "tablets." Have them inscribe simple messages or their names using a stylus (such as a popsicle stick) to mimic cuneiform script. Assign small groups of different ancient civilizations--Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, and China. Each group researches and presents their civilization's government, religion, daily life, and contributions. Then, students compare Mesopotamian achievements and influence with those of other civilizations. Students could use a digital comparison tool like Canva's Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Ancient Mesopotamia - Technological Solutions, Inc.
Grades
3 to 8This site includes advertising.
tag(s): asia (76), mesopotamia (8), middle east (45)
In the Classroom
Ask students to choose an innovation from Mesopotamia, such as cuneiform writing, the wheel, or the code of Hammurabi, and make an informational poster. Enhance learning by having students create their informational poster using Canva Infographic Maker, reviewed here. They could explain its significance, how it worked, and how it influenced the world. Using what they've learned about Mesopotamian gods and religious beliefs, have students write their own short myth set in ancient Mesopotamia. Have students research one aspect of Mesopotamian civilization that still influences us today (mathematics, astrology, law). Students can create a short presentation or write a report on how that legacy evolved and impacts modern society. Share the stories using Sway, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mesopotamia - Crash Course
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): asia (76), mesopotamia (8)
In the Classroom
Have students work in groups to research specific Mesopotamian innovations (the wheel, cuneiform writing, irrigation systems). Each group could create a mini-presentation or poster to share how these innovations impacted society. Students could locate and label key Mesopotamian cities, rivers, and regions using a blank map. Students can use Google My Maps, reviewed here to complete this activity. Afterward, they can discuss how geography influenced Mesopotamian society and its development. Provide clay or clay-like materials and have students create their own cuneiform tablets, using resources to guide them on Mesopotamian symbols and techniques. Assign students to create an illustrated timeline using a resource such as Time Graphics Timeline Maker, reviewed here of Mesopotamian history, highlighting major events, figures, and achievements.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Gruvy Education - William Grube
Grades
K to 5tag(s): artificial intelligence (148), differentiation (90), personalized learning (10)
In the Classroom
Use Gruvy's AI-driven reading comprehension activities to assign students personalized passages at their reading levels. Group students with similar reading abilities or comprehension skills and have them work through the exercises together. After students have practiced various concepts on Gruvy, have them design their own math or reading games based on what they've learned. Students can create questions or scenarios, incorporating Gruvy's topics, and then swap with classmates to play each other's games. Use Gruvy's math games to create a "Math Challenge Day" where students rotate through various stations, each focusing on a different skill (like addition, subtraction, or multiplication).Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Discovery Ed- First Thanksgiving - Discovery Ed
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): empathy (33), holidays (181), native americans (97), perspective (13), thanksgiving (23)
In the Classroom
Students can create visual art or a collage that contrasts traditional Thanksgiving imagery with representations of Indigenous cultures and perspectives. They can use a free resource such as PhotoCollage, reviewed here. Have students explain their artwork in a gallery walk format, fostering discussions about historical accuracy, respect, and representation. Provide students with primary sources like excerpts from Pilgrim diaries or early colonial documents. Ask them to analyze the sources to identify different perspectives and motivations, encouraging critical thinking about reliability, bias, and how history is documented. Students can write a reflective essay on how learning about Indigenous perspectives of the first Thanksgiving has altered their understanding of the holiday. Encourage them to research present-day perspectives from Indigenous voices and suggest how these insights might change their approach to Thanksgiving traditions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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5 Presidential Inauguration Activities - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Grades
K to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): inauguration (8), presidents (135)
In the Classroom
Compare and contrast inaugural speeches from presidents. Students can use a tool like Canva's Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here to compare the speeches. Identify the tone of the speech and the challenges the country was facing at the time. Have students predict what the next inaugural speech will mention. Have students plan an inaugural parade. Who would they include? Make a class list of ideas.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Analyzing Historical Presidential Inaugural Addresses - CNN
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): inauguration (8), presidents (135), speeches (22)
In the Classroom
Organize a mock congressional hearing where students research a current event or policy issue. Assign roles such as committee members, witnesses, and reporters. Students will present their findings, ask questions, and debate differing viewpoints, helping them understand legislative processes and critical thinking. Select a video from C-SPAN Classroom that features a significant historical event or speech. Have students analyze the video, discussing its context, impact, and significance. They can create a presentation using a resource such as Visme, reviewed here or write a reflection on how this event relates to contemporary issues. Start a current events journal where students regularly summarize and reflect on news articles about the U.S. government and politics. They can use C-SPAN Classroom videos as discussion starters. Establish a debate club where students select topics related to government policies or historical events featured on C-SPAN. Divide students into teams to research their positions and engage in structured debates. Many of these activities could be done on the virtual debate website Kialo Edu reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Illuminative Lesson Resources - Illuminative and the National Indian Education Association
Grades
K to 12tag(s): cooking (31), crafts (57), cross cultural understanding (170), cultures (147), game based learning (182), landmarks (21), native americans (97), poetry (194), stories and storytelling (51)
In the Classroom
Bookmark this site as a resource for lessons on Native American cultures that present information in a culturally accurate manner. Find lessons and activity guides that integrate into your current subject area lessons; for example, one activity is called "Picaria: A Zuni Pueblo Math Game." Picaria is a game of logic and strategy that easily integrates into math station rotations that involve games of logic and strategy. Ask students to use Canva Docs, reviewed here to create and share flyers that include instructions for games they play.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Watch Live House of Representatives Proceedings - United States House of Representatives
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): branches of government (65), house of representatives (8), politics (116)
In the Classroom
Students can watch House of Representatives proceedings during civics and government lessons to see how voting and discussion occur. They can also take advantage of the other features to view the upcoming legislative schedule and legislative action filed during the previous week. Find additional ideas and lessons for teaching about the legislative process at the Digital Civics Toolkit, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Smithsonian American Women's History Museum - Smithsonian American Women's History Museum
Grades
K to 12tag(s): women (144), womenchangemaker (32), womens suffrage (50)
In the Classroom
Students can create biographies of the women they research. Biographical examples can include videos, pamphlets, or slides. Students can create digital stories using Sway reviewed here. Students can compare and contrast women from the same time and debate who was more influential. Use the online debate tool Kialo Edu reviewed here. Finally, students can take virtual field trips or watch virtual interviews.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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National Women's History Museum - National Women's History Museum
Grades
K to 12tag(s): women (144), womenchangemaker (32), womens suffrage (50)
In the Classroom
Students can be assigned a specific woman and create digital books explaining why this woman is important in history. Students of all ages can create digital books using Book Creator, reviewed here. They can also compare and contrast women from the same time or era using Canva's Venn Diagram Creator, reviewed here. Finally, students can take virtual field trips to museums/exhibits associated with the women and era or time.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Jewish Educator Portal - The Jewish Educator Portal
Grades
K to 12tag(s): holidays (181), jews (30), yom kippur (15)
In the Classroom
Students can compare and contrast Jewish holidays and traditions. Use a tool like Canva's Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here. Students can create videos to share the importance of the holiday and how it is celebrated with younger children. Finally, students can share their favorite Yom Kippur book with others.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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8 Fun Constitution Day Activities for Students: We the People - Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Grades
3 to 12tag(s): congress (39), constitution (93), electoral college (23)
In the Classroom
Have students role-play as delegates to debate and draft amendments to the Constitution. Create a scavenger hunt where students search for specific articles, amendments, or key concepts within the U.S. Constitution. Use a virtual scavenger hunt creator such as GooseChase, reviewed here. You can also present students with famous Supreme Court cases related to constitutional issues. They can work in groups to analyze the case, debate the decisions, and present their findings to the class. As an extension, students can research how these decisions affect current laws and rights.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Hispanic Heritage Month - National Education Association
Grades
K to 12tag(s): central america (20), cross cultural understanding (170), cultures (147), dance (30), hispanic (34), south america (41)
In the Classroom
Have students select a country from the Hispanic world and research its culture, traditions, and famous figures. They can create a presentation or a digital poster to share with the class, allowing students to explore diverse aspects of Hispanic heritage using a platform such as Canva, reviewed here. Using a large map of Latin America and Spain, have students pin locations based on historical events or contributions of notable Hispanic individuals discussed in class using a resource such as Google My Maps, reviewed here. Invite a guest speaker from the local Hispanic community or arrange a virtual field trip to a Hispanic cultural center or museum. Introduce students to traditional Hispanic music and dance styles like salsa, flamenco, or mariachi.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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QRToon - QRToon
Grades
1 to 12In the Classroom
Teachers create custom QR codes for each student with their image that link to personalized learning activities or feedback based on their learning progress. Enhance classroom posters with QR codes that students can scan to access additional information like videos or interactive content related to the subject matter. Students can design QR codes as part of an art project, combining technology and art that links to their portfolios or project descriptions.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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QRCode Monkey - qrcodemonkey
Grades
1 to 12tag(s): Formative Assessment (74), images (261), qr codes (18)
In the Classroom
Generate QR codes that link to online surveys or quizzes where students can submit their understanding of the day's lesson before leaving. Create QR codes that link to clues or questions hidden around the classroom or school. Students scan to receive their next hint, promoting active learning. Link your QR codes in handouts or on a classroom bulletin board to newsletters, school event calendars, or homework help resources that parents can easily access. Set up stations with QR codes linking to different educational activities or virtual labs where students can engage with the material in diverse ways.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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An Introduction to Julius Caesar Using Multiple-Perspective Universal Theme Analysis - ReadWriteThink
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): julius caesar (9), plays (31), themes (12)
In the Classroom
Ask students to write an alternate ending to Julius Caesar from the perspective of one of the characters. Challenge students to draw parallels between Julius Caesar and modern political or historical figures. Assign students different themes from the play (such as ambition, betrayal, or loyalty) and have them create a visual collage representing their theme using a resource such as PhotoCollage, reviewed here. Have students create a comic strip and include scenes that could have happened during Roman Times.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Homer's Civil War Veteran: From Battlefield to Wheat Field - EDSITEment
Grades
6 to 8tag(s): art history (90), civil war (137), veterans (29)
In the Classroom
Have students compare Winslow Homer's "The Veteran in a New Field" with other Civil War-era paintings. They can examine how different artists depict the war's aftermath, focusing on themes like healing, loss, or national recovery. Ask students to write a first-person narrative from the veteran's perspective in the painting. Students can create a timeline that connects the painting to key Civil War events, Reconstruction policies, and changes in agriculture using a resource such as Class Tools reviewed here .Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The Tragedy of Julius Caesar Summary and Analysis - Storyboard That
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): julius caesar (9), plot (12), shakespeare (99)
In the Classroom
Have students create storyboards on Ethos, Pathos, and Logos. Students can compare and contrast two characters on their actions, motivations, etc. Using a resource such as Timeline Maker, reviewed here create a timeline of Julius Caesar's life events. Create a fictional social media account for one or more of the characters using Fakebook, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Julius Caesar - Royal Shakespeare Company
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): julius caesar (9), plays (31), shakespeare (99)
In the Classroom
Divide the class into groups and assign each a key scene to rehearse and perform for the class. Students can work in groups to create a Roman-era newspaper covering the play's events using a resource such as Smore, reviewed here. Select a few students to embody key characters from the play (Brutus, Cassius, Caesar) to play a game of Character Hot Seat. The rest of the class asks these characters questions about their motives, actions, and emotions. This activity helps students delve deeper into character analysis and understand the complex motivations driving the play's events.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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