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Bridging Spanish language barriers in Southern schools

These articles provide background on Latino immigrants in North Carolina, administrative challenges in binational education, and strategies through which teachers can build on what Latino students bring to their classrooms to create a learning environment that meets the needs of all students.

Format: series (multiple pages)

GNP simulation using foods in the Americas

Students are treated to “lunch” based on food supply and GNP distribution in Latin America.

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

By Ken Stewart.

South America

From the ancient civilizations to the Spanish Conquistadors to the present day, the countries of South America have a rich history. These are a sampling of the resources that can be found on LEARN NC to use in teaching students about the people, cultures, and geography of this continent.

Format: bibliography/help

The Changing Face of Mexico

Essays and activities exploring Mexican culture, past and present. Includes historical perspectives, classroom activities, and recipes.

Format: book (multiple pages)

Rock art

In Intrigue of the Past, page 5.3

Students will use art materials, drawings, and rock art examples to differentiate between symbol, petroglyph, pictograph, and rock art. They will also interpret rock art to illustrate its importance in the cultural heritage of a people and as a tool for learning about the past.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4 and 8 Visual Arts Education and Social Studies)

Climbing the school ladder: A challenging task for immigrant Latino students

In Bridging Spanish language barriers in Southern schools, page 1.1

Teachers play a critical role when helping immigrant children adjust to a new school life. Because immigrants' backgrounds and experiences are so diverse, it is important for teachers no to make assumptions and to get to know individual children.

By Magda Corredor.

Language change in North Carolina's cities

In this activity, students view a video about the changing dialects of North Carolina's urban areas and then respond to a series of questions.

Format: lesson plan (grade 8 Social Studies)

By Hannah Askin.

Current events in Africa

In this lesson for grade seven, students find two news stories about a current event in Africa: one from an American media source and one from an African media source. Students compare the two to gain an understanding of cultural bias and perspective.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 Social Studies)

By Shane Freeman.

Reaching Latinos through social studies

In Bridging Spanish language barriers in Southern schools, page 4.1

Teachers can help immigrant students feel more comfortable in the classroom by basing social studies lessons on students' own knowledge and backgrounds.

By Paul Fitchett.

Formulating questions to meet information needs of ESL students

A multi-activity lesson plan to teach the concept of asking engaging, researchable questions prior to reading which leads to effective inquiries during project work. Using engaging questions creates a sense of connectedness by linking academic contents with students' personal concerns. The lesson is primarily designed for English Language Learners although it can be adapted for mainstream students. This lesson can also be modified for use with grades 4-8.

Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Development and Social Studies)

By Deborah Wilkes, Kristi Triplett, and Karen Waller.

Bridging language barriers

In Bridging Spanish language barriers in Southern schools, page 1.3

How schools can ease the transition for Latino immigrant students.

By Regina Cortina.

Education and literacy in Edgecombe County, 1810

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 5.4

In this 1810 letter, Jeremiah Battle of Edgecombe County describes the lack of education in eastern North Carolina and the consequences for society and politics. Includes historical commentary.

Format: letter

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Cherokee mission schools

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 5.8

Description of Spring Place, a Moravian mission to the Cherokee that operated from 1801 to 1833. Describes the education received by Cherokee boys and girls for the purpose of "civilizing" them. Includes historical commentary.

Format: book

The role of Mexican folklore in teaching and learning

In Bridging Spanish language barriers in Southern schools, page 2.4

One way teachers can connect with students of Mexican origin is by understanding the cultural knowledge they bring with them into the classroom, including the stories, proverbs, and legends they've learned. Learn more about Mexican folklore from this booklist and collection of online resources, and share this rich oral tradition with all your students.

Format: article

By Dayna Durbin Gleaves.

Archibald Murphey proposes a system of public education

In North Carolina in the New Nation, page 4.6

Report of a joint legislative committee, 1817, laying out a complete plan for statewide public education, including primary schools, academies, and the University of North Carolina. Includes historical commentary.

Format: report

Commentary and sidebar notes by L. Maren Wood.

Incorporating oral history into the K–12 curriculum

In Oral history in the classroom, page 3

Oral history techniques for use with students at all levels, from kindergarten through high school.

By Kathryn Walbert.

Making reading passages comprehensible for English language learners

English language learners can read the same content-area material as their peers, but may need special help. Teachers can make difficult reading comprehensible by building vocabulary, decoding difficult syntax, and teaching background knowledge.

By Ellen Douglas.

Resources on the web

LANIC: Latin American Network Information Center

Focusing on the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, and South America, this website is a portal to links on the web that cover a multitude of topics from information on the countries, their economies, education, government, religion, and culture. (Learn more)

Format: website/general

Provided by: Univerity of Texas at Austin

Global Gateway - World Cultures & Resources

Find information on the history and culture of countries throughout the world. (Learn more)

Format: website/general

Provided by: Library of Congress

EDSITEment - Lesson Plans for History and Social Studies

This site supplies a plentiful number of lesson plans and activities for the history and social studies curricula. Resources are divided by subject area and grade range, in addition to a list of EDSITEment approved web links. (Learn more)

Format: website/lesson plan

Provided by: National Endowment for the Humanities