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10 Jewish Americans Who Changed History - ThinkTV
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): acting (21), composers (20), cultures (226), famous people (28), immigrants (48), jews (52), religions (113)
In the Classroom
Assign each student a historical figure from the list to research. They can give clues about their person's achievements while the class guesses who they are. Students can choose one figure and research how their contributions shape society today. They can present their findings through a written essay or a slideshow using Visme reviewed here or Google Slides reviewed here. Assign students to compare one of the Jewish Americans from the list with another historical figure from a different background but in the same field (ex., Albert Einstein vs. Marie Curie in science, Gloria Steinem vs. Susan B. Anthony in activism). They can create a Venn diagram on paper or digitally using Canva's Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here.JANM Educational Resources - Japanese American National Museum
Grades
K to 12tag(s): civil rights (221), critical thinking (137), fashion (14), immigrants (48), immigration (84), japan (62), japanese (54), origami (15), stories and storytelling (63), world war 2 (163)
In the Classroom
After learning about Japanese American incarceration during WWII, have students fold paper cranes to symbolize hope and resilience. Have students write reflections on civil rights and social justice, connecting history to present-day issues. Inspired by real stories from Japanese American incarceration, students can create a fictional diary entry from the perspective of a young Japanese American during WWII, incorporating historical details from JANM's resources. After exploring the site's exhibits on civil rights, students can design posters, digital art, or poetry that advocate for justice and remembrance of past injustices, drawing connections to modern social movements. Create any of these projects digitally, using Google Slides reviewed here or Canva Infographic Creator, reviewed here.We Are Here - SmithsonianAPA
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): artists (86), asia (136), authors (108), cultures (226), famous people (28), japan (62), japanese (54), multimedia (55), scientists (71)
In the Classroom
Have students illustrate an important moment in Asian American history, write a poem reflecting on identity and resilience, or ask them to research another cultural or historical movement that aligns with the themes in We Are Here (ex., the Civil Rights Movement, Indigenous history, or immigrant experiences). They can create a Venn diagram using Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here or infographic using Timeline Infographic Templates, reviewed here.Inca Empire - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Share these resources with your students to learn about the Inca Empire. Share a link to this collection on your school web page and in your school newsletter (or email). Find resources to incorporate into your lessons.Maya Civilization - TeachersFirst
Grades
K to 12In the Classroom
Dive into the fascinating world of the Maya with your class! This collection has some fantastic resources perfect for your cooperative learning groups. Take a peek at each resource's "Classroom Use" section for creative ideas on weaving these materials into your lessons. Your students will love exploring this ancient civilization together!Unpacked for Educators - Jewish American Heritage Month - OpenDor Media
Grades
6 to 12This site includes advertising.
tag(s): cultures (226), famous people (28), harlem (10), identity (37), inventors and inventions (81), jews (52), perspective (20), religions (113), scientists (71), sports (85), supreme court (30)
In the Classroom
Have students explore key events in Jewish American history by analyzing newspaper headlines from different decades. They can then create their own headlines for major contributions made by Jewish Americans in politics, science, or the arts. Have students create a short video using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here, a podcast using Buzzsprout, reviewed here, or a blog post using Telegra.ph, reviewed here reflecting on a theme from Jewish American heritage. They can incorporate interviews, personal reflections, or an analysis of historical events. Assign a video from "Unpacked for Educators" (ex., A Jewish American Tale). Students can take notes, discuss key themes, and connect the content to broader American history and social movements.Jewish American Heritage Month - American Association of School Librarians
Grades
K to 12tag(s): composers (20), cultures (226), famous people (28), immigrants (48), immigration (84), inventors and inventions (81), jews (52), perspective (20), religions (113)
In the Classroom
Set up a gallery walk featuring famous Jewish Americans in literature, science, politics, and the arts (ex., Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Albert Einstein, Emma Lazarus). Students rotate, take notes, and discuss contributions. Have students read and analyze excerpts from Jewish American authors like Maurice Sendak (Where the Wild Things Are) or Emma Lazarus (The New Colossus). Discuss themes of immigration, identity, and resilience. Students can create a poem, illustration, or digital artwork using a tool such as Google Drawings, reviewed here honoring a Jewish American historical figure or cultural contribution, explaining their impact. Introduce students to Jewish American musicians like Irving Berlin or Bob Dylan. Play samples of their work and discuss how their heritage influenced their music and American culture.Jewish American Heritage Month - Yale Library
Grades
11 to 12tag(s): audio books (29), cultures (226), diversity (46), ebooks (47), jews (52), perspective (20), religions (113)
In the Classroom
Assign students a Jewish American scholar, activist, or leader featured in the library's collection. Students can create a short presentation slide deck using Visme, reviewed here or Google Slides, reviewed here to share their findings. Students can also use these tools to design a digital or physical exhibit showcasing the achievements of Jewish American leaders. Provide students with excerpts from writings, speeches, or articles by Jewish American figures and have them present their findings in a short written reflection or group discussion.Asian Americans - PBS LearningMedia
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): asia (136), civil rights (221), identity (37), immigrants (48), immigration (84), japan (62), japanese (54), politics (118), racism (83), railroads (15)
In the Classroom
After watching a video on Asian American identity, students can create a digital or paper collage representing identity, heritage, and belonging using images, symbols, and quotes from the documentary. Digital collages can be made using PhotoCollage reviewed here or Photo Joiner reviewed here. Inspired by the personal narratives in the collection, have students interview a family member or community elder about their immigration story or cultural heritage and create a short podcast episode using Buzzsprout reviewed here or Podbean reviewed here. Students can work in groups to create an interactive timeline of key historical events from the collection with Timeline reviewed here or Timelinely, reviewed here, adding images, descriptions, and reflections on how these events shaped Asian American experiences.Standing Together - SmithsonianAPA
Grades
K to 12tag(s): artists (86), asia (136), cultures (226), japan (62), japanese (54), multimedia (55), poetry (195), virtual field trips (132)
In the Classroom
Have students explore APAC's digital exhibitions, such as We Are Here or A Day in the Queer Life of Asian Pacific America. Students can reflect on how artists express identity and create artwork representing their cultural heritage or personal identity. Using the "We Are Not a Stereotype" video series, students can watch a selected video and discuss how stereotypes impact Asian Pacific American communities. They can then create an awareness poster or infographic using Canva Infographic Creator reviewed here debunking a common stereotype. Ask students to research key moments in Asian Pacific American history using APAC's resources and create a visual timeline digitally using a resource such as Time Graphics Timeline Maker reviewed here that highlights significant events, figures, and contributions. Select a book from APAC's Learning Together recommendations to share with students or assign small groups different books, and have them present key themes, historical context, and connections to their own experiences or current events.Ghosts of Machu Picchu - PBS NOVA
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): archeology (30), south america (77), STEM (312), timelines (57)
In the Classroom
Have students explore the website's visuals, articles, and videos to "virtually visit" Machu Picchu. Then, in small groups, students can create a travel brochure or digital slideshow highlighting key features, historical significance, and unanswered mysteries. These projects can be completed online using Canva Edu reviewed here or Google Slides reviewed here. After learning about Machu Picchu's sophisticated stone construction and drainage system, students can design and test their own miniature stone wall models using clay, Legos, or sugar cubes, mimicking Incan building techniques. Students can compare Machu Picchu's engineering, society, and daily life to another ancient civilization (ex., Mesopotamia, Egypt, Rome) and present their findings through a Venn diagram on paper or online using Venn Diagram Creator reviewed here.African American Activists of the 20th Century - Library of Congress
Grades
6 to 12tag(s): african american (123), black history (138), civil rights (221), martin luther king (46)
In the Classroom
Have students select an activist from the website, research their life and achievements, and create an interactive digital timeline using tools like Canva, reviewed here or Class Tools, reviewed here. Have students choose an activist and prepare a short presentation or monologue in character, sharing their achievements and struggles. Turn the classroom into a "living museum," with students acting as historical figures. Using the website images as inspiration, students can create hand-drawn or collaged posters highlighting an activist's achievements, including key facts, quotes, and visuals. Ask students to select an activist, research their contributions, and create a short podcast episode using Acast, reviewed here or Podbean, reviewed here) explaining their importance.How This Film Erased Asian-Americans From Their Own Story - PBS Origins
Grades
9 to 12This site includes advertising.
In the Classroom
Students can watch the movie that is referenced in the YouTube video. Students can research other videos that feature the white savior complex. Finally, students use Google Drawings reviewed here to compare and contrast the true story of Chol Soo Lee's arrest to the one portrayed in the movie.Kokoro: The Story of Sacramento's Lost Japantown - Google Arts and Culture
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): japan (62), japanese (54), photography (131)
In the Classroom
Students can use Timeline Infographic Templates reviewed here to highlight important events in Japantown. Students can use Kiddle reviewed here to learn more about the Japanese notables that are featured on the site. Finally, students can use Google Drawings reviewed here to create a cause-and-effect diagram to highlight why Japantown became forgotten.Indomitable: The Tommy Kono Story - Google Arts and Culture
Grades
5 to 12tag(s): cultures (226), japanese (54), religions (113), sports (85)
In the Classroom
Students can use MyLens reviewed here to highlight important events in Tommy Kono's life. Students can compare Tommy Kono to another famous weightlifter using ClassTools Interactive Venn Diagrams reviewed here. Students can use Kiddle reviewed here to research more about Buddhism.We are not a Stereotype - Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
Grades
9 to 12In the Classroom
Students can review the videos and post questions and comments on Padlet reviewed here. Students can use Google Keep reviewed here for notetaking. Students can find other videos on the same topics and compare and contrast them using Google Drawings reviewed here.A Different Asian American Timeline - A Different Asian American Timeline
Grades
9 to 12tag(s): timelines (57)
In the Classroom
Students can use MyLens reviewed here to highlight important events during an assigned period. Students can use Figma reviewed here to compare and contrast time periods. Students can use Padlet reviewed here to post facts that they learned during each period.Jewish American Heritage Month - Library of Congress
Grades
4 to 12In the Classroom
Students can explore primary sources from the Library of Congress or the National Archives on Jewish American contributions. In pairs, they can analyze an artifact (ex., a historical photo, letter, or newspaper article) and present their findings. Assign students a prominent Jewish American figure (Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Albert Einstein, Emma Lazarus). They can research their impact using resources from the site and create a short podcast using Spotify for Podcasters, reviewed here or video using Adobe Express Video Maker, reviewed here. Students can also interview other students, as if they were that historical figure. Students can explore Jewish contributions to literature, science, politics, and civil rights and create digital slides with Visme, reviewed here or Genially, reviewed here highlighting key figures, inventions, or cultural traditions.Ancient Classic Maya Music - MexicoLore
Grades
4 to 12tag(s): mayans (32), mexico (45), musical instruments (54)
In the Classroom
Students can research and identify different Maya musical instruments (drums, whistles, ocarinas, rattles). They can listen to recordings of similar instruments and discuss their sounds and possible uses. Students can make simple versions of Maya-style instruments using household materials (clay whistles, bottle maracas). Students can also explore how traditional Maya music has influenced modern music in Mexico and Central America. They can also research contemporary Maya communities still using ancient instruments and present their findings through a short slideshow using Google Slides reviewed here, a video using moovly reviewed here, or a poster. Working in small groups, students can create a short musical performance inspired by Maya music. They can use simple percussion instruments, vocals, or even body percussion to replicate rhythmic patterns that might have been used in Maya ceremonies.14th Amenendment to the US Constitution - Library of Congress
Grades
8 to 12tag(s): civil rights (221), constitution (99), states (125)