ALEX Resources

Title: How's the Weather Today?
Description: This Xpeditions lesson asks students to think about the weather in their area and introduces them to weather and temperature trends in different latitudes of the United States. Students examine maps, record temperatures, and draw pictures showing different weather conditions.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT2 (2) 11: Interpret legends, stories, and songs that contributed to the development of the cultural history of the United States.

Title: Protecting Africa's Wildlife
Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students consider how people affect the natural environment in their home area and in Africa. They learn about two African habitats (the savanna and the rain forest) and some of the animals that live there. They focus particularly on how cheetahs and chimpanzees make use of their habitats. They conclude by creating posters to encourage people to protect the savanna and the rain forest, as well as the animals in the area where they live.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT2 (2) 10: Identify ways people throughout the country are affected by their human and physical environments.

Title: How's the Weather--in Africa?!
Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students describe and compare how weather affects human activity in two places on opposite sides of the world. Students first identify the seasons and weather in their community and how human activities are affected by weather. They then cross the globe and compare how the weather of northern Africa impacts human activities there. Students look for a connection between the two environments and conclude that although the weather and activities may be very different in each place, the impact of weather on human activities is a common thread in human communities all over the world.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT2 (2) 11: Interpret legends, stories, and songs that contributed to the development of the cultural history of the United States.

Title: Life in the Mountains
Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, introduces students to the idea that people in different parts of the world have different customs and habits of daily life, even if they live in similar landscapes. They view pictures of and discuss life in the mountains of Colorado and Nepal and write stories describing what it might be like to live in the mountains of Nepal.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT1 (1) 12: Compare common and unique characteristics in societal groups, including age, religious beliefs, ethnicity, persons with disabilities, and equality between genders.

Title: What Would You Work Hard For?
Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, has students go through a simulation to learn about value, abundance, and scarcity. They are asked to consider the things that they would be willing to work very hard for.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT1 (1) 10: Describe the role of money in everyday life.

Title: The Chesapeake Bay Watershed: A Timeline of Change, a Model for Change
Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students conduct research on the Chesapeake Bay, from Captain John Smith's explorations of Native American settlements in the early seventeenth century to the present, and examine how these changes over time can help illuminate the interrelationships between people and places. They then apply a similar approach to their local area. Through an examination of a timeline of change, students make connections between present interactions with a place and its future and consider ways that they can help shape the future course of both the Chesapeake Bay watershed and their own community.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT2 (2) 10: Identify ways people throughout the country are affected by their human and physical environments.

Title: The Land of the Inca
Description: This lesson, from Xpeditions, introduces students to the ancient Inca people and the land on which they lived. They learn basic facts about the Inca and use a map to show where they lived. Students also look at pictures of the Andes mountains and Inca ruins and discuss the geography of the area. Finally, they talk about how the Inca lived and compare the Inca way of life to their own.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT2 (2) 10: Identify ways people throughout the country are affected by their human and physical environments.

Title: Traditions and Languages of Three Native Cultures: Tlingit, Lakota, and Cherokee
Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students learn about the environment, history, language, and culture of the Tlingit, Lakota, and Cherokee. They explore the meaning of cultural traditions and how they are maintained. They also learn to say a few words in the languages of these Native American tribes.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT2 (2) 11: Interpret legends, stories, and songs that contributed to the development of the cultural history of the United States.

Title: The Three Little Pigs in Earthquake Land
Description: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students are introduced to some of the basics of earthquakes and volcanoes. They are also asked to think about how people living in cities and suburbs must plan ahead by constructing sturdy buildings and preparing their homes and themselves for the possibility of a natural disaster. Students are therefore introduced to some basic concepts of physical geography, as well as some of the ways in which the physical environment affects people's lives.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT (0) 10: Apply vocabulary related to giving and following directions.

Title: Regions of a Grocery Store
Description: In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about how regions are created by categorizing grocery store products into different regions of the classroom, which they pretend is a grocery store. They then discuss the concept of regions and the unique qualities of their home region, and they draw pictures of their home region.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT2 (2) 7: Explain production and distribution processes.

Title: Sodbusters!
Description: In this lesson, from EDSITEment, students examine photographs of sod houses, build a model sod house, and picture themselves living in a '' soddie'' to gain a firsthand perspective on the frontier period of American history. After completing the activities in this lesson, students will be able to identify where and when American settlers lived and describe how settlers used available materials to build sod houses. They will also be able to explain how sod houses helped settlers adapt to the environment of the plains and compare living in a sod house with life in a typical home today.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT2 (2) 10: Identify ways people throughout the country are affected by their human and physical environments.

Title: Where in the U.S. Would You Want to Live?
Description: This Xpeditions lesson challenges students to think about why objects, in the classroom and in their community, are placed where they are, and how their placement affects our daily lives. In the process, they come to understand the benefits one geographic location might have over another.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT2 (2) 3: Use various primary sources, including calendars and timelines, for reconstructing the past.

Title: NOVA: Pyramids
Description: Jointly designed by NOVA and PBS, this site gives elementary and middle school students an overview of Egyptology and the continuing archaeological excavation of the Pyramids at Giza. It contains textual information, diagrams, and images.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT2 (2) 11: Interpret legends, stories, and songs that contributed to the development of the cultural history of the United States.

Title: What’s the Most Important - My Need or My Want?
Digital Tool: We Have Needs Video
Web Address URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTVHMDCmskE
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT (0) 4: Differentiate between needs and wants of family, school, and community.
Digital Tool Description: This video displays pictures and words to a song about things that people need.  After viewing the video, the teacher and students will share different needs. Hint:  Put in your topic and “for children”. Remember – YouTube is not censored.  

Title: Distinguish Between Needs and Wants
Digital Tool: Kahoot!
Web Address URL: http://create.kahoot.it
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT (0) 4: Differentiate between needs and wants of family, school, and community.
Digital Tool Description: "Kahoot! is a free game-based learning platform that makes it fun to learn – any subject, in any language, on any device". (getkahoot.com) Create a game using Kahoot!.  Students will provide terms to be used with the game.

Title: What's the Right Way To Button Up?
Description: We're hoping today's Wonder of the Day really pushes your buttons!
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT (0) 6: Compare cultural similarities and differences in individuals, families, and communities.

Title: How Many Ways Can You Say Mom?
Description: Wonderopolis has a special treat today for you and your mom!
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT1 (1) 12: Compare common and unique characteristics in societal groups, including age, religious beliefs, ethnicity, persons with disabilities, and equality between genders.

Title: Can You Count on the Census?
Description: Ever wonder how the government knows how many people live in the United States? Find out more today in Wonderopolis!
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT1 (1) 2: Identify rights and responsibilities of citizens within the local community and state.

Title: What Are Your Odds Of Winning the Lottery?
Description: Chances are… there's a good probability you won't find a pot of gold at the end of today's Wonder of the Day!
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT1 (1) 10: Describe the role of money in everyday life.

Title: Great Websites for Kids
Description: Created by the American Library Association, this portal website helps parents and children find age appropriate educational materials on the Internet.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] WH8 (8) 16: Describe major cultural changes in Western Europe in the High Middle Ages (1000-1300 A.D.).

Title: Tracking the Buffalo: Stories From a Buffalo Hide Painting Homepage
Description: In this interactive website, students explore the role buffaloes played in the lives of Native Americans of the northern Plains. The website includes: online interactives, printable activities and a map of the Plain Indians, information about the art of buffalo hide paintings, a teacher's guide and student worksheets, and a bibliography of related books and online resources appropriate for all ages.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT2 (2) 11: Interpret legends, stories, and songs that contributed to the development of the cultural history of the United States.

Title: Darkroom Detectives
Description: What can we learn about life in a sod house by looking at photographs? In this activity, students will analyze two photographs of families who lived in homes made of sod in order to answer questions about these families' lives. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] USS5 (5) 13: Describe social and economic influences on United States' expansion prior to World War I.

Title: Become a Collector
Description: Students will learn how to start their own collection after reading about Teodoro Vidal, a man who collected objects from Puerto Rico in this OurStory activity. OurStory is a series of modules designed to help children and adults enjoy exploring history together through the use of objects from the Museum's vast collections, quality children's literature, and engaging hands-on activities. Ideal for afterschool use, OurStory resources will allow students to think critically, to be creative, and to achieve academic standards both in and out of the classroom.
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT2 (2) 3: Use various primary sources, including calendars and timelines, for reconstructing the past.

Title: What Can You Make From a Buffalo?
Description: The northern Plains Indians used every part of the buffalo. In this interactive matching game, students will match objects made by Native Americans from the body parts of buffalo to the appropriate part of the buffalo's anatomy. It is interactive whiteboard and iPad friendly and is included in the website Tracking the Buffalo: Stories From a Buffalo Hide Painting .
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT2 (2) 11: Interpret legends, stories, and songs that contributed to the development of the cultural history of the United States.

Title: What's the Right Way To Button Up?
Description: We're hoping today's Wonder of the Day really pushes your buttons!
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT (0) 6: Compare cultural similarities and differences in individuals, families, and communities.

Title: How Many Ways Can You Say Mom?
Description: Wonderopolis has a special treat today for you and your mom!
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT1 (1) 12: Compare common and unique characteristics in societal groups, including age, religious beliefs, ethnicity, persons with disabilities, and equality between genders.

Title: Can You Count on the Census?
Description: Ever wonder how the government knows how many people live in the United States? Find out more today in Wonderopolis!
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT1 (1) 2: Identify rights and responsibilities of citizens within the local community and state.

Title: What Are Your Odds Of Winning the Lottery?
Description: Chances are… there's a good probability you won't find a pot of gold at the end of today's Wonder of the Day!
Standard(s):
[SS2010] LWT1 (1) 10: Describe the role of money in everyday life.