Social Studies

In this lesson students learn about the Reconstruction Amendments (13th, 14th and 15th) that abolished slavery, guaranteed African American citizenship and secured men the right to vote. ...

One of the cornerstones of American democracy is the right to vote. Yet the history of voting rights in the United States is complicated. Although the original Constitution explained who could run for national ...

In this introductory lesson, students examine voting rights in the early years of the United States and the causes and effects of the first major expansion of voting rights, which took place in the late 1700s ...

Increases in obesity and diet-related diseases are major health problems in the United States. During the last 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in the nation’s obesity rates, correlating with ...

Taking place on April 3, 1968, “The Mountaintop” by Katori Hall is a gripping reimagining of events the night before the assassination of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther ...

This lesson is the sixth in a series called “ The Different Colors of Beauty .” The goal of these lessons is to help students develop their racial or ethnic identities in a safe and open classroom ...

This lesson is the fifth in a series called “ The Different Colors of Beauty .” The goal of these lessons is to help students develop their racial or ethnic identities in a safe and open classroom ...

This lesson is the third in a series called “ The Different Colors of Beauty .” The goal of these lessons is to help students develop their racial or ethnic identities in a safe and open classroom ...

This lesson, the second in a series , encourages students to think and talk openly about the concept of beauty, particularly as it overlaps with issues of race and racial identity. ...

The overall goal of these lessons is to help students develop their racial or ethnic identities in a safe and open classroom environment. Each lesson capitalizes on a slightly different modality of learning. The lessons offer questions and ...

This lesson is the first in a series called “ The Different Colors of Beauty .” The overall goal of these lessons is to help students develop their racial or ethnic identities in a safe and open classroom ...

In 2011, 20 states permitted corporal punishment in public schools. Many students who live outside those states find it hard to believe that corporal punishment still exists. This ...

The purpose of this activity is to discuss the bullying of LGBT students. It uses the Mexican tradition of El Paseo to begin that discussion. First, students form two concentric ...

There are many classroom activities in which students explore family roots. There are many classroom activities in which students explore family roots. This can be tricky ...

Each year in my elementary art classroom, students learn about a diverse group of black men and women in honor of Black History Month (this activity, though, is relevant throughout the year). ...

Individuals of all ages can find it difficult to identify and express their feelings in a positive way. At the elementary level, many students need a springboard for discussion. This ...

This is the final lesson in the Using Photographs to Teach Social Justice series. Preceding lessons explored a variety of social justice issues through the lens of photographers and their pictures. This ...

In A Time for Justice, four-time Academy Award-winning filmmaker Charles Guggenheim captured the spirit of the civil rights ...

The photo shows two students collecting signatures to protest the treatment of women at the university. This lesson is part of the  Using Photographs to Teach Social Justice  series. ...

Teaching Tolerance is proud to present this teacher’s guide designed to support and supplement the HBO documentary Sergio . The ...

The new documentary Prom Night in Mississippi takes us to Charleston, Miss. - where high school students held their ...

In this lesson, students analyze a photograph of Mildred Jeter Loving and Richard Loving—the interracial couple that took the case of their marriage all the way to the Supreme Court—as a springboard for ...

In this lesson, students analyze a photograph from the freedom riders’ protest. This lesson is part of the  Using Photographs to Teach Social Justice  series. Objectives ...

In this lesson, students will analyze a photograph of people protesting what they see as an unjust law: A law prohibiting marriage equality in California. This lesson is part of the  Using Photographs to ...

The photo is a portrait of homelessness and poverty. The scene shows a woman sitting on a couch, surrounded by clothes and various household items. A man stands near her.  This ...

The photo shows an anti-immigration protest on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley. People with picket signs are arguing for stricter immigration policies that would make it a felony to be ...

In this lesson, students compare and contrast two photographs of women. In doing so, they evaluate how a photo creates a mood and how photos can encourage or challenge stereotypes. This activity is part of the ...

Photographs can sometimes capture important moments in American history. This lesson is part of the  Using Photographs to Teach Social Justice  series. Objectives Activities ...

Photographs may tell a story or make a statement about a greater concept or ideal. Sometimes photographers use the subjects in a photo to convey a message. This lesson is part of the  Using Photographs to ...

In this lesson, students will analyze photographs that show people with different abilities and of different ages to explore assumptions about ability, age and activism. This is part of the  Using Photographs ...