Browse lesson plans

Beyond the headlines: Kyrgyzstan

In this lesson, students research the recent history of the former Soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan and explore its strategic significance for world powers.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–12 Social Studies)

By Jacqueline Olich.

China's ancient engineers

In CareerStart lessons: Grade seven, page 4.6

In this lesson for grade seven, students will learn about some of the inventions of ancient China, and will discuss the kinds of engineering skills required to produce them.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Social Studies)

By Meredith Ebert.Adapted by Kenyatta Bennett and Sonya Rexrode.

Describing Japanese screens and scrolls through words

The first part of a unit on talking and writing about, as well as creating, Japanese screen and scroll paintings. The purpose of this unit plan is to introduce descriptive aspects of art criticism, while teaching appreciation for the art and culture of Japan. Students use observation and descriptive writing to discover richly detailed Japanese screen and scroll paintings so that another student can illustrate it in the next lesson.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 Visual Arts Education and Social Studies)

By Michelle Harrell.

East Asian trading ships

Each student will work with a partner as an owner of an overseas shipping company with one cargo ship in East Asia. Students are given these instructions in the overview: In each Asian country that you travel to you will fill your cargo ship with items that you can buy from the list of exports. You will then try to sell these items when you travel to another country that is willing to import these commodities. The winner of the game is the company with the biggest profits at the end of the pretend 15 day time period. Good Luck!

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

By Tami Kaiser Polge.

Ecotourism in South Asia

In CareerStart lessons: Grade seven, page 4.4

In this lesson for grade seven, students learn about ecotourism in Nepal and discuss its negative and positive aspects. Students conclude by making connections with tourism in the United States.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

By Kenyatta Bennett.Adapted by Sonya Rexrode and Mary B. Taylor.

Government "kooshball" debate

Students will be presented with a situation where they will have to list pros and cons of an Islamic government and a democratic government. The students will be assigned one side of the argument and will write statements that support their side to be used in a debate. This lesson should follow a study of Islamic government and culture.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

By Terry Philbeck.

I, the basket: Writing a first-person story as an inanimate object

In this interdisciplinary lesson for grade seven, students explore the first-person point of view through children's literature and images of Nepal. Students exhibit their understanding of first-person narrative by writing a children's story from the perspective of an inanimate object.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Social Studies)

By Edie McDowell.

India's path to independence

This interdisciplinary plan includes the study of the effects of imperialism and India's struggle for independence through history texts, literary works, and online resources. Activities include a seminar, research, and a news broadcast. Although this unit is designed for integrated English II and World Civilizations, lessons can be adapted to other class structures.

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–10 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Marian Johnson.

A magic carpet ride: Exploring carpet weaving in India

In this lesson, a photo analysis activity helps students learn about carpet weaving in India. Students discuss how this tradition compares to the weaving traditions of other cultures.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Visual Arts Education and Social Studies)

By Eric Eaton.

Modern China: The dam debate

In CareerStart lessons: Grade seven, page 4.7

In this lesson for grade seven, students learn about the Three Gorges Dam in China and the controversy surrounding its construction. Students will take on the roles of people whose lives may be affected by the dam, and will participate in a debate about it.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 English Language Arts and Second Languages)

By Susan N. Carter-Hope and James Philippart.Adapted by Kenyatta Bennett, Meredith Ebert, and Sonya Rexrode.

Of earth, water, and fire: World pottery traditions

In this lesson, a photo analysis activity helps students learn about pottery traditions from around the world. Students discuss how these traditions are similar to and different from one another.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Visual Arts Education and Social Studies)

By Eric Eaton.

Picturing Vietnam

This lesson plan is intended to introduce students to Vietnam’s geography, climate, culture, history, natural history, arts, economics, and government. Students will view a collection of documentary photographs and use these for making logical observations, drawing conclusions, and as a basis for creative writing.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 English Language Arts, Information Skills, and Social Studies)

By Edie McDowell.

Regions of Nepal: A virtual trek

This lesson for grade seven helps students understand the connections between geography and culture. Students experience a virtual trek through the different regions of Nepal, conduct research about the ethnic groups living in each region, and maintain travel logs documenting what they've learned.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

By Edie McDowell.

Salt trading in Asia

In this interdisciplinary lesson, students explore the mineral salt from a variety of perspectives — scientific, geographic, and cultural. The lesson incorporates images of salt production in Nepal and Vietnam. It may be used with grade 4 or grade 7.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 and 6–7 English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies)

By Edie McDowell.

To market, to market: Photograph analysis

In this lesson, students analyze photos of markets from around the world to gain an understanding of the similarities and differences between geographically distant places, to learn about the economic and cultural significance of markets, and to improve visual literacy skills.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Eric Eaton.

Vietnam waterways: Ecology and conservation

In this interdisciplinary lesson for grades 6-8, students will examine the relationship between the physical environment and cultural characteristics of the Mekong River valley in Vietnam. Students will evaluate the current conditions of the Mekong River and suggest long-range solutions for improving, restoring, or preserving the quality of the river.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Information Skills, Science, and Social Studies)

By Edie McDowell.

Resources on the web

Beyond the Fire: Teen Experiences of War

The film Beyond the Fire introduces the real-life stories of 15 teenagers, now living in the U.S., who have survived war in seven war zones. These stories tell of loss, hope, fear, strength and despair—and most of all, resilience. At this... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Independent Television Service

Can the chiru be saved?

In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the a small endangered deer-like animal called the chiru, which is found in Tibet. Activities in this lesson engage students in vocabulary development, use of graphic organizers and guided questions for reading,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

Provided by: Xpeditions

Cool Planet for Teachers

This site from OxFam helps teachers bring global issues into the classroom. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: OxFam

From Silk to Oil: Cross-Cultural Connections Along the Silk Roads

Developed for high school teachers, this curriculum guide features five sections that explore the geography, ethnic relations and political history, exchange of goods and ideas, religions, and art along the Silk Road. The global studies curriculum begins... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: China Institute