Browse lesson plans

Collecting family stories

Students will interview relatives and compose a family story on the computer. This lesson was completed in conjunction with two other lesson plans (art and media) using the same theme but could be used alone. Student work from all three lessons was compiled in a student portfolio.

Format: lesson plan (grade K–5 English Language Arts, Guidance, and Social Studies)

By Amy Honeycutt, Chris Furry, and Diana Hicks.

Educating leaders for tomorrow

The intent of this lesson is to demonstrate the need for (student) citizens to assume learning and leading roles and behaviors that will better ensure a successful future.

Format: lesson plan (grade 2–3 Social Studies)

By David Newsome.

Women's ACC Basketball Tournament School Day curriculum

Four collections of basketball-based units for grades K–8 teach all areas of the curriculum through the lens of the 2013 Women's ACC Basketball Tournament.

Format: activity/lesson plan

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Creating character: Citizenship

In this lesson, while participating in whole class discussion and collaborative group work, students explore the concept of citizenship. During the activities, students watch visual history testimonies of Dina Gottliebova-Babbit, Robert Mendler, and Henry... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–12 Guidance and Social Studies)

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Creating character: Concluding lesson

In this final lesson, students synthesize the concepts they explored in previous lessons. Students assemble a “Treasure Box” of items such as collages, writings, and more, all organized around Courage, Responsibility, Respect, Citizenship, Justice... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–12 Guidance and Social Studies)

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Creating character: Introduction

This introductory lesson begins with an interview of Elena Nightengale, Jewish Survivor of the Holocaust, who discusses the importance of respecting all human beings regardless of differences. Nightengale also discusses integrity and honesty and the power... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 Guidance and Social Studies)

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Creating character: Perseverance

In this lesson, students explore the concept of perseverance and discuss their own personal experiences with hard work, inspiration, and accomplishment. Students view testimonies of people affected by discriminatory laws against Jews and Jehovah’s Witnesses.... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–12 Guidance and Social Studies)

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Creating character: Respect

In this lesson, students work in pairs to examine the ways that they demonstrate respect – and disrespect – to the people and institutions around them. During this activity, students watch testimonies from Felix Sparks, a liberator who believes in racial... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–12 Guidance and Social Studies)

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Creating character: Responsibility

In this lesson, students identify people, organizations, and ideals for which they feel responsible. By viewing visual history testimonies from Bent Lerno, Marianne Cooper, and Hedy Epstein, who are Jewish survivors of the Holocaust, they explore examples... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–12 Guidance and Social Studies)

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Creating character: Courage

In this lesson, students examine how people develop and define “courage”. Students watch visual history testimony clips given by three people involved in the Holocaust in different roles. The activities in this lesson include small-group work,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–12 Guidance and Social Studies)

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Creating character: Justice and fairness

In this lesson, students examine the differences between justice and fairness and are encouraged to confront discrimination in the classroom and reflect upon their own prejudices. Students contrast the accounts of Alex Stern, a witness in a war crimes trial;... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–12 Guidance and Social Studies)

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Educators for Social Responsibility

Contains lesson plans, links, special projects, and teacher guides on topics including current events, human rights, war, conflict resolution, building community, international conflict, understanding others, religion, and media literacy. Addresses many pertinent... (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: Educators for Social Responsibility