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Open Culture Free Online Courses - Open Culture, LLC
Grades
9 to 12
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The Open Culture page on Free Online Courses curates over 1,700 no-cost courses from top universities such as Harvard, Yale, and MIT, covering a wide range of subjects including humanities,...more
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The Open Culture page on Free Online Courses curates over 1,700 no-cost courses from top universities such as Harvard, Yale, and MIT, covering a wide range of subjects including humanities, social sciences, computer science, mathematics, history, art, and world languages. The listings include downloadable audio and video lectures, MOOCs, and audit options, making it a flexible resource for advanced learners, enrichment, or flipped-classroom models. Teachers can use these courses to supplement curriculum topics, assign independent enrichment activities, or provide whole-class explorations for upper-grade students. If your district blocks YouTube, then the videos may not be viewable.
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tag(s): art history (103), artificial intelligence (254), artists (92), business (50), civil war (142), coding (96), computers (107), cultures (268), engineering (135), environment (248), politics (123), psychology (61), religions (121), shakespeare (98), sociology (24), world war 1 (85), world war 2 (168)
In the Classroom
Choose short university lectures related to your current unit (e.g., history, literature, or psychology). Have students summarize key takeaways and connect them to class topics. Assign a relevant Open Culture lecture for homework, then use class time for guided discussion, problem-solving, or creative applications of the concept. Form small groups where students take different Open Culture courses and share summaries or key insights with the class, encouraging collaboration and exposure to diverse subjects.You must be registered and logged in to add items to your favorites.
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Hopper the Explorer - Google Arts & Culture Experiments
Grades
2 to 8
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Explore the world with Hopper the pengugin and Google Maps. Select one of the circles on the map to identify the location, then choose "Okay, let's go!" to drop Hopper ...more
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Explore the world with Hopper the pengugin and Google Maps. Select one of the circles on the map to identify the location, then choose "Okay, let's go!" to drop Hopper into the location for a visit. Use your mouse to rotate the image for a 360-degree view, or click anywhere on the picture to move Hopper to a different area. The "learn more" link provides additional details, and you can click the camera icon to take a fun snapshot of Hopper at their chosen location. Expand locations by typing any location into the search bar, then drop Hopper into that location to explore in a 360-degree view.
tag(s): map skills (67), maps (222)
In the Classroom
Share Hopper the Explorer with students to help them find summaries of several global locations and increase their understanding of world geography. Be sure to demonstrate how to find any destination and drop Hopper in to take a look around. Students can take a picture of a location they explore, then use that image as a basis for further research about the area. Ask students to share Hopper's story using Canva Docs, reviewed here and use Canva's templates, images, and videos as a storytelling project. Extend learning using Google My Maps, reviewed here and have students create maps that feature a virtual visit to locations relating to their current studies, places featured in novels, or significant events in history.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Exploring Abroad - Exploring Abroad
Grades
7 to 12
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Exploring Abroad is a comprehensive and user-friendly platform that provides students and educators with access to a wide range of international opportunities, including study abroad,...more
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Exploring Abroad is a comprehensive and user-friendly platform that provides students and educators with access to a wide range of international opportunities, including study abroad, language learning, volunteering, teaching abroad, and long-term relocation options. The site offers cultural immersion and practical guidance, providing resources such as destination overviews, videos, photos, and articles about top museums and landmarks, helping users become both inspired and informed. Authored by global citizens who have lived and learned abroad, it offers authentic insights, step-by-step tools, and supportive narratives that help learners step beyond their comfort zones and prepare for meaningful global experiences. In the classroom, this platform can enrich unit planning in world cultures, languages, or social studies, support student exploration in language learning or global citizenship projects, and inspire research, comparative studies, and multimedia presentations.
tag(s): cultures (268)
In the Classroom
Students use the site to explore a real study-abroad or gap-year program and map out the steps they would need to take (budgeting, language prep, academic focus, application). Have students choose a country or city featured on Exploring Abroad and explore its culture, language, and educational or volunteer opportunities. They can create a short digital presentation using FlexClip, reviewed here or a travel brochure showcasing why they'd want to go, what they'd learn, and how the experience connects to their personal or academic goals. Using Exploring Abroad articles and videos, have students compare the daily life, school systems, or cultural customs of two different countries. They can present their findings in a Venn diagram or infographic using Infographics Presentation Templates, reviewed here and reflect on how cultural understanding can influence empathy, communication, and decision-making.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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PamPam - PamPam
Grades
4 to 8
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PamPam is an AI-powered custom map maker and trip planner. Use AI to generate and customize a map, or start one by uploading a Notion, Sheets, or CSV file. Use ...more
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PamPam is an AI-powered custom map maker and trip planner. Use AI to generate and customize a map, or start one by uploading a Notion, Sheets, or CSV file. Use the map maker to add locations, customize colors, add photos, and more. Share or embed your maps using the links provided. PamPam supports real-time collaboration, allowing you to share your maps with others to build and edit maps together. Free plans allow users to add up to thirty points to a map.
tag(s): artificial intelligence (254), map skills (67), maps (222), virtual field trips (135)
In the Classroom
Teach map skills by creating interactive maps of locations near your school or of famous cities located around the world, then add pictures to highlight areas of interest. Create maps featuring historical locations, literary settings, or plot areas with active volcanoes. Ask students to create maps featuring a virtual guide to your town that highlights favorite places, including restaurants, parks, and other activities.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Reading Treks: Enrique's Journey-The True Story of a Boy Determined to Reunite with His Mothe - TeachersFirst
Grades
4 to 7
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Follow a powerful real-world journey with this Reading Trek inspired by Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario. This virtual field trip uses an integrated map created with Google...more
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Follow a powerful real-world journey with this Reading Trek inspired by Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario. This virtual field trip uses an integrated map created with Google My Maps, reviewed here, along with an accompanying Teachers' Guide that features lesson activities, map extensions, and discussion prompts to deepen understanding. The narrative chronicles Enrique's perilous trek from Honduras to the United States as he searches for his mother, offering students a deeply human perspective on immigration, family separation, resilience, and hope. Blending geography, social studies, and literacy, the story helps students trace migration routes while examining cause-and-effect relationships, point of view, and real-world challenges faced by children and families. Best suited for grades 4-7, the Teachers' Guide activities align with Common Core ELA Standards and Social Studies practices, encouraging critical thinking, empathy, close reading, and meaningful discussions about global issues and personal courage.
tag(s): diversity (53), immigrants (49), immigration (82), maps (222), point of view (8)
In the Classroom
Step into a real-life journey of courage, sacrifice, and hope through activities that help students connect deeply with Sonia Nazario's Enrique's Journey. Begin by introducing the story to the whole class, with the Reading Trek map displayed on an interactive whiteboard, and guide students through its layers to preview the countries, routes, and challenges Enrique will face along the way. Next, have students use Google My Maps, reviewed here to plot Enrique's journey from Honduras through Mexico to the United States, adding a short description, an image, and a meaningful quote from the text at each stop to help visualize the danger, emotion, and resilience required at every stage. Extend learning by inviting students to create a short scene from Enrique's journey using Witty Comics, reviewed here, such as riding atop La Bestia or crossing the border, encouraging them to capture dialogue, determination, and risk in a visual format that deepens comprehension and builds empathy for Enrique's lived experience.
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MapMaker - National Geographic
Grades
4 to 12
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The MapMaker Launch Guide from National Geographic offers MapMaker, a free, web-based digital mapping tool developed in collaboration with Esri. Designed for educators, students, and...more
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The MapMaker Launch Guide from National Geographic offers MapMaker, a free, web-based digital mapping tool developed in collaboration with Esri. Designed for educators, students, and National Geographic Explorers, the platform provides an intuitive interface with features such as autosave, location search, and annotation tools, including pins, lines, shapes, and labels. The guide provides step-by-step instructions for creating, editing, saving, exporting, and sharing custom maps. It also supports standards-aligned instruction across geography, science, math, literacy, and social studies. With classroom-ready resources, FAQs, and video tutorials, MapMaker helps students build spatial thinking, critical reasoning, and data analysis skills through interactive map-based learning.
tag(s): critical thinking (163), data (199), map skills (67), maps (222)
In the Classroom
Have students create a personalized digital map of their local community. They can mark locations such as their school, library, parks, and cultural landmarks with pins, shapes, and labels. Explore global climate patterns by turning on different data layers (e.g., temperature, precipitation, vegetation). Students can compare regions, make observations, and write claims backed by map evidence about how geography influences climate. Have students research a historical event or time period (e.g., westward expansion, ancient civilizations, migration routes) and create a map showing locations from that time, with modern overlays to compare past and present geography. Have students choose a topic (such as a natural disaster, an explorer's journey, or a cultural region) and create a digital map that tells a story using pins and custom labels. Each pin includes facts, images, or student-written summaries to encourage research and multimedia integration.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Carry On, Mr. Bowditch - TeachersFirst
Grades
7 to 9
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Step aboard a literary voyage through history with this Reading Trek inspired by Jean Lee Latham's novel, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, designed as a virtual field trip that uses an...more
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Step aboard a literary voyage through history with this Reading Trek inspired by Jean Lee Latham's novel, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, designed as a virtual field trip that uses an integrated Google My Maps experience along with an accompanying Teachers' Guide featuring lesson activities, map extensions, and discussion prompts. The story traces the life of Nathaniel Bowditch, a determined, self-educated mathematician and navigator whose passion for learning helps him overcome hardship and make lasting contributions to navigation and science. Set in late 18th- and early 19th-century New England and aboard merchant ships traveling the globe, the novel weaves together history, geography, and mathematics while highlighting themes of perseverance, curiosity, and intellectual growth. Best suited for grades 7-9, this Reading Trek aligns with the Common Core ELA Standards, mathematical practices, and social studies skills, using close reading, map exploration, and interdisciplinary activities to build content knowledge while strengthening critical thinking, collaboration, and real-world connections across subject areas.
tag(s): map skills (67)
In the Classroom
Bring Nathaniel Bowditch's seafaring journey to life with hands-on activities that engage students in reflection, research, and problem-solving while exploring Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. Begin by having students respond to the prompt "What's something you wish you knew before starting something new?" using a classwide survey created with Slido, reviewed here, then discuss how their responses connect to Nat's early challenges learning mathematics and navigation at sea. Extend learning by assigning groups to research common 18th-century sailor hardships, such as scurvy, isolation, or storm-related injuries, and create an informative visual using Canva Infographic Creator, reviewed here that explains causes, effects, and solutions while highlighting how Bowditch responded through persistence and self-education. As students read, have them collaborate on a digital vocabulary and concepts board using Stormboard, reviewed here, where they define maritime terms, illustrate navigation ideas, and link each concept to locations on the Reading Trek map, reinforcing how mathematics, learning, and determination shaped Bowditch's success and impacted the lives of those who sailed with him.
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Amelia Earhart FREE Unit Study - Peanut Butter Fish
Grades
2 to 5
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Soar into History with Amelia Earhart! Discover the inspiring journey of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart through this engaging, free unit study. Designed for elementary-aged learners,...more
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Soar into History with Amelia Earhart! Discover the inspiring journey of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart through this engaging, free unit study. Designed for elementary-aged learners, the study includes a comprehensive biography, timeline activities, and note-taking sheets complete with answer keys. It also offers cross-curricular connections, such as geography and writing prompts, to enrich students' understanding of Earhart's legacy and the early days of flight. The videos on this site are hosted on YouTube. If your district blocks YouTube, then they may not be viewable.
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tag(s): aviation (50), women (183), womenchangemaker (79)
In the Classroom
Have students cut out and sequence key events from Amelia Earhart's life using the printable timeline. Put students with a partner to read the included biography and complete the note-taking sheet together. Check answers by using the provided answer key. Extend the unit by researching another female aviation or STEM pioneer. Students can create mini-presentations using Google Slides reviewed here or Canva Edu reviewed here to share what they've learned.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Free to Use and Reuse - Library of Congress
Grades
5 to 12
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The Library of Congress's Free to Use and Reuse includes sets of books, newspapers, manuscripts, print, photos, maps, musical scores, films, sound recordings, and more. Examples of...more
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The Library of Congress's Free to Use and Reuse includes sets of books, newspapers, manuscripts, print, photos, maps, musical scores, films, sound recordings, and more. Examples of sets on the site include Abraham Lincoln, the American Revolution, Founding Washington, Autumn and Halloween, Motion Picture Theaters, Presidential Portraits, and more.
tag(s): images (262), movies (52), photography (132), presidents (149), seasons (56), womens suffrage (64)
In the Classroom
Students can use the Presidential Portrait images to create a book about each president while using Book Creator, reviewed here. Students can use the images from Women's History to create a timeline of notable accomplishments while using the Timeline Tool by ReadWriteThink, reviewed here. Finally, students can learn about the Statue of Liberty and write a fun fact that they learned on Stormboard, reviewed here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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America, A Home for Every Culture - The Kennedy Center
Grades
3 to 5
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The "America, A Home for Every Culture" lesson from the Kennedy Center helps students explore how immigration has shaped American language, music, and food through interactive, hands-on...more
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The "America, A Home for Every Culture" lesson from the Kennedy Center helps students explore how immigration has shaped American language, music, and food through interactive, hands-on learning. Students begin with a "Borrowed Word Game" using the Teacher Reference Sheet "A World of Words" to trace English words back to their language of origin and map them globally. In the music segment, students listen to diverse musical samples (Irish, Latin, Yiddish), explore instruments via the Smithsonian's Instrument Encyclopedia, and label instrument images on a map. For a culinary connection, students read "This Is the Way We Eat Our Lunch" and create a Multicultural Family Recipe Book using handouts such as "My Recipe" and "My Family Member." The lesson concludes with a Multicultural Festival, in which students research an immigrant group and present findings on its holidays, music, food, clothing, dance, and poetry. Resources linked to the page include assessment rubrics, the poem "Face to Face" by Anita E. Posey, and additional lesson ideas such as the Melting Pot Recipe Book and cross-curricular arts-based activities to extend learning.
tag(s): africa (154), cultures (268), immigrants (49), immigration (82), ireland (13), jews (63), latin (23)
In the Classroom
Have students identify and collect words in everyday use that come from different languages. They can create word cards and pin them to a large classroom map to show each word's origin. Ask students to interview family members about traditional recipes and fill out the "My Recipe" and "My Family Member" handouts. Compile them into a class recipe book to celebrate cultural diversity. After reading "Face to Face" by Anita E. Posey, students can write poems about identity, heritage, or their family's cultural background and share them during a classroom poetry circle. Organize a classroom or school-wide multicultural festival. Students can create displays, performances, or food samples representing a culture they studied and share their research on traditions, music, and customs.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Globe Weather - UCAR Center for Science Education
Grades
6 to 8
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The GLOBE Weather curriculum, developed by the UCAR Center for Science Education and supported by NASA, is a free, five-week instructional unit designed to help middle school students...more
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The GLOBE Weather curriculum, developed by the UCAR Center for Science Education and supported by NASA, is a free, five-week instructional unit designed to help middle school students (grades 6-8) understand weather phenomena at local, regional, and global scales. Aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the curriculum employs a storyline approach and the BSCS 5E instructional model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) to guide students through three learning sequences: investigating isolated storms, exploring air mass collisions at fronts, and examining global storm patterns. Students engage in hands-on activities, analyze real-world data, and develop models to deepen their understanding of atmospheric processes. The curriculum includes comprehensive resources, including teacher guides, student activity sheets, assessments, PowerPoint presentations, and links to videos and simulations, to support instruction.
tag(s): air (27), atmosphere (22), data (199), matter (50), water (101), water cycle (25), weather (169)
In the Classroom
Have students record daily weather observations using GLOBE's data sheets. They can track temperature, cloud cover, and precipitation to identify local weather patterns. Assign students to analyze real storm data from the GLOBE Weather curriculum (e.g., radar maps, satellite images) to investigate causes and effects of severe weather events. Assign students different regions of the world to track and compare weather conditions, helping them explore global patterns and how storms travel. Using interactive models or simple classroom experiments, students can simulate how cold and warm air masses collide to form different weather fronts.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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The 50 States Digital Breakouts - Peggy Reimers
Grades
4 to 8
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This site offers digital breakout sessions for participants to explore facts and information about each of the fifty states. Select a state from the list at the top and the ...more
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This site offers digital breakout sessions for participants to explore facts and information about each of the fifty states. Select a state from the list at the top and the drop-down box to find the Google Form where you can enter answers to each lock. Each state's page also includes the story behind the digital escape and information to complete the clues. Scroll down the home page for helpful tips for finding and solving the clues.
tag(s): digital escapes (29), game based learning (284), gamification (95), puzzles (158), states (126)
In the Classroom
Share these escape rooms with students to introduce them to interesting facts and information about each state. Extend learning by asking students to select a state to explore further and then create a presentation to share their knowledge. Offer options to create presentations using Google My Maps, reviewed here, Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here, and Canva Docs, reviewed here. As a class project, compile a digital book using Book Creator, reviewed here, including pages for each state sharing images, videos, and audio. As another option, ask students to create books about individual states using this template from Book Creator.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Earth Day Explorers - Van Andel Institute for Education
Grades
K to 8
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The Van Andel Institute for Education's Earth Day Explorers will teach students why it is important to take care of the Earth and show them ways they can help. Activities ...more
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The Van Andel Institute for Education's Earth Day Explorers will teach students why it is important to take care of the Earth and show them ways they can help. Activities include: "Wonderful World Scavenger Hunt," "Hazards to Our Home," "Found Art," and "Take Action." Lessons are grouped into kindergarten through grade 2, grades 3 through 5, and grades 6 through 8. All games are linked to Google Slides that include a teacher overview, the required time, skills, and reflection.
tag(s): earth (192), earth day (60), environment (248), recycling (45), STEM (340)
In the Classroom
Students can create a public service announcement using Buzzsprout, reviewed here while completing the "Take Action" lesson. Students can upload their "art" to Seesaw, reviewed here after completing their "Found Art" artwork. Students can use Book Creator, reviewed here to create a book on all the animals that they learned about from the "Wonderful World Scavenger Hunt" activity.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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OK2Ask: 3 Cool Tools for Timelines - TeachersFirst
Grades
1 to 12
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey,...more
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Register to view this on-demand OK2Ask professional learning workshop from July 2025. Educators seeking recertification credit must watch the recording, complete the feedback survey, and pass the assessment. For details, read the Registration & Credit Options section on the registration page.
Timelines are powerful visual tools that can transform how students understand chronology, cause and effect, and the evolution of ideas in any subject area. In this hands-on workshop, we'll explore three versatile, free timeline creation tools you can implement at any grade level. You'll learn how to use timelines not just as presentation tools, but as dynamic frameworks for student inquiry, collaboration, and assessment. Discover strategies for scaffolding student comprehension from introduction to assessment while empowering learners to make connections between events, identify patterns, and visualize change over time. Whether you're teaching history, science, literature, or another subject, you'll leave with practical approaches to integrating interactive timelines that engage students and provide valuable insights into their understanding. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Design learning experiences that use timelines to scaffold student comprehension in any subject area. 2. Evaluate three free timeline creation tools based on their specific classroom needs and learning objectives. 3. Create an implementation plan that integrates timeline activities into their curriculum. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
Timelines are powerful visual tools that can transform how students understand chronology, cause and effect, and the evolution of ideas in any subject area. In this hands-on workshop, we'll explore three versatile, free timeline creation tools you can implement at any grade level. You'll learn how to use timelines not just as presentation tools, but as dynamic frameworks for student inquiry, collaboration, and assessment. Discover strategies for scaffolding student comprehension from introduction to assessment while empowering learners to make connections between events, identify patterns, and visualize change over time. Whether you're teaching history, science, literature, or another subject, you'll leave with practical approaches to integrating interactive timelines that engage students and provide valuable insights into their understanding. As a result of this session, teachers will: 1. Design learning experiences that use timelines to scaffold student comprehension in any subject area. 2. Evaluate three free timeline creation tools based on their specific classroom needs and learning objectives. 3. Create an implementation plan that integrates timeline activities into their curriculum. This session is appropriate for teachers at all technology levels.
tag(s): OK2Askarchive (83), professional development (295), timelines (58)
In the Classroom
The archive of this teacher-friendly, hands-on webinar will empower and inspire you to use learning technology in the classroom and for professional productivity. As appropriate, specific classroom examples and ideas have been shared. View the session with a few of your teaching colleagues to find and share new ideas. Once registered, find additional reference materials, tutorials, and how-to information to help you review or extend your knowledge from the session in the handout posted on the session landing page. Resources may include additional ideas and examples on integrating the tools and strategies shared in classroom instruction. Learn more about OK2Ask and upcoming sessions here.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Let's Learn Social Studies - Let's Learn
Grades
K to 3
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Let's Learn Social Studies offers free, kid-friendly videos that introduce young learners to essential concepts like families and communities, civics and government, economics,...more
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Let's Learn Social Studies offers free, kid-friendly videos that introduce young learners to essential concepts like families and communities, civics and government, economics, and geography. With engaging visuals and relatable content, these videos are perfect for sparking curiosity about the world. Educators can sort videos by theme, such as "All About Us," "Where We Live," "My Five Senses," "Transformation," and "Games." Video lengths range from under one minute to sixteen minutes, making them easily adaptable to any lesson or daily routine.
tag(s): civics (127), communities (37), family (53)
In the Classroom
Students can use Book Creator reviewed here to create a book about their family and/or family history (or other Social Studies topics). Students can complete activities posted in Seesaw reviewed here. Students can use Google My Maps reviewed here to learn about different communities and locations.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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My Life Elsewhere - Jason Horsley
Grades
4 to 12
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MyLifeElsewhere is an interactive website that enables you to compare countries based on various data points, including cost of living, climate, geography, and social statistics. Teachers...more
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MyLifeElsewhere is an interactive website that enables you to compare countries based on various data points, including cost of living, climate, geography, and social statistics. Teachers can use this resource to help students analyze global differences and similarities, fostering discussions on culture, economics, and demographics. The website's side-by-side visual comparisons make complex data more accessible, making it a valuable tool for geography, social studies, or global awareness lessons.
tag(s): countries (71), cultures (268), demographics (14)
In the Classroom
After researching a country on MyLifeElsewhere, students can write a first-person narrative imagining a typical day in that country. They can incorporate details about school, food, climate, transportation, and daily routines. Students can compare the cost of living between two countries and create a monthly budget for an imaginary person living in both places, taking into account housing, food, transportation, and entertainment. Each student can pick a country and research key cultural elements, including language, customs, and education. Have them write a friendly letter as if they were a student in that country, describing their life based on their research. Students can choose a country to compare with their home country using MyLifeElsewhere. They create a visual aid (such as a chart, poster, or slide) that highlights key differences in population, economy, geography, and lifestyle.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Native Americans' Contributions to American Culture - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12
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Native Americans, the indigenous peoples of North America, have had a huge impact on the fabric of American culture, shaping the nation's identity in countless ways. This comprehensive...more
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Native Americans, the indigenous peoples of North America, have had a huge impact on the fabric of American culture, shaping the nation's identity in countless ways. This comprehensive collection of resources offers a deep dive into the indigenous peoples' influence on the United States, spanning from pre-colonial times to the present day. From agricultural innovations and environmental stewardship to art, language, and political thought, these materials highlight the diverse and significant impacts of hundreds of distinct tribal nations. This curation includes a selection of historical documents, oral traditions, archaeological findings, and more in the fields of medicine, military service, literature, music, and cuisine. It serves as a testament to the resilience, creativity, and ongoing importance of Native peoples in shaping American culture and identity.
tag(s): native americans (131)
In the Classroom
Explore this collection featuring the fascinating impact of Native Americans. Look at each resource's "Classroom Use" section for creative ideas on weaving these materials into your lessons.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Oh Pioneers! Interactive Westward Expansion Game - Mr. Nussbaum Learning and Fun
Grades
3 to 7
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Oh, Pioneers! Can You Make It on the California Trail? on Mr. Nussbaum's site is an interactive simulation that immerses students in the challenges faced by pioneers traveling westward...more
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Oh, Pioneers! Can You Make It on the California Trail? on Mr. Nussbaum's site is an interactive simulation that immerses students in the challenges faced by pioneers traveling westward in the 1800s. Players make critical decisions about supplies, routes, and survival strategies while learning about historical events, geography, and the hardships of frontier life. This engaging game fosters problem-solving and critical thinking skills, making it a great tool for social studies lessons on westward expansion. Teachers can use it to start discussions, reinforce historical concepts, and encourage students to analyze cause-and-effect relationships interactively.
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tag(s): gold rush (18), simulations (45), westward expansion (41)
In the Classroom
Before playing the game, have students work in small groups to create a packing list for their journey west. They must choose a limited number of items (ex., food, tools, clothing, medicine) and justify their choices. After playing the game, they can reflect on whether their selections would have helped them succeed. Provide students with real pioneer diary entries, letters, or photographs. Have them compare these firsthand accounts to their game experience, identifying similarities and differences in challenges, decisions, and daily life. Have students trace the California Trail in Google My Maps, reviewed here. They can mark key landmarks, rivers, and danger zones they encountered in the game. Then, discuss how geography influenced travel decisions and survival rates.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Mali Empire History - Cool Kid Facts
Grades
2 to 7
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Visit this kid-friendly overview of one of West Africa's greatest civilizations to learn about key topics such as the empire's rise to power, its wealth from the gold and salt ...more
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Visit this kid-friendly overview of one of West Africa's greatest civilizations to learn about key topics such as the empire's rise to power, its wealth from the gold and salt trade, famous rulers like Mansa Musa, and the significance of cities like Timbuktu as centers of learning. The website presents information in a clear and engaging way, making it a valuable resource for introducing younger students to African history. Teachers can use this page to support lessons on trade, culture, and leadership in the medieval world.
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tag(s): africa (154), archeology (26), cultures (268), maps (222), medieval (38)
In the Classroom
Set up different learning stations representing subjects studied in Timbuktu (astronomy, medicine, math). Students can rotate through the stations, completing mini-activities related to each subject. Students can research and build 3D models of Mali's famous structures, such as the Great Mosque of Djenne, using materials like clay, cardboard, or digital tools like Delightex (formerly CoSpaces) reviewed here or Tinkercad reviewed here. Have students compare the Mali Empire to another historical empire, such as the Roman Empire or the Incas, using a Venn diagram on paper or Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here, focusing on government, trade, culture, and legacy.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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Early American Civilizations- Maya, Aztec, and Inca - Core Knowledge
Grades
4 to 6
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Discover this comprehensive student reader designed for 5th-grade classrooms. It explores the histories, cultures, and achievements of the Maya, Aztecs, and Inca civilizations, providing...more
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Discover this comprehensive student reader designed for 5th-grade classrooms. It explores the histories, cultures, and achievements of the Maya, Aztecs, and Inca civilizations, providing detailed narratives, maps, and illustrations. The resource includes key vocabulary, discussion questions, and historical context, making it an excellent tool for building background knowledge in social studies and literacy. Teachers can use this text to support lessons on early American civilizations, critical thinking, and cross-curricular connections with geography and archaeology.
tag(s): critical thinking (163), literacy (124), maps (222), south america (80), vocabulary (249)
In the Classroom
Make a Mystery Box by placing pictures or replicas of Maya, Aztec, and Inca artifacts (ex., a quipu, a pyramid, a codex) in a box. Have students pull an item, describe it, and infer its use before reading about it in the text. Students create a visual comparison such as a Venn diagram, poster, or digital infographic using Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here or Canva Edu, reviewed here showing similarities and differences between the Maya, Aztec, and Inca. They can list areas like government, religion, architecture, and daily life. Students can write a first-person journal entry as a Maya scribe, an Aztec warrior, or an Incan messenger, describing a day in their life while incorporating factual details from the reader.Add your comments below (available only to members) | Become a Member
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