A country study can begin with location. Find Spain on a world map. What continent includes Spain? Can students identify any of Spain’s neighboring countries? Note how close Spain is to Africa — this has been important in the history of Spain. While you’re thinking about Spain’s location, you… Continue reading
Music is a uniquely human experience, and the music of different cultures provides a special way to get to know that culture. Grade Level: Middle School (6th-8th) Duration: 50 minutes Objective: Students will gain an understanding and appreciation of Spanish music. Students will be able to identify and describe different… Continue reading
Never Say a Mean Word Again is an award-winning picture book by Jacqueline Jules. We love picture books for all ages. Use them as read-aloud or read-together books for younger grades and as a jumping off point for multiple subject areas with older students. Find lesson plans below for elementary,… Continue reading
When we visited Germany, we went to an ostrich farm. There are roughly 200 ostrich farms in Germany, about the same number as in the United States, even though the U.S. is much bigger than Germany. South Africa has the largest ostrich farming industry in the world — but there… Continue reading
We visited Baden-Württemberg, the state in the south of Germany bordering France and Switzerland. This part of the country is known for its charm and beauty. Here you see Lake Konstanz, or Lake Constance in English. Germany is famous for its breads and cake. Here you see plum cake with… Continue reading
Ellina had a summer job in Nepal, so we took the opportunity to visit. Nepal is a very interesting country, and it’s worth studying. Bring this country into your classroom for an exciting lesson at any time of the year. Nepal is mostly a rural country, but it has some… Continue reading
Here is a simulation game for learning about trade. It was designed with the Osage and their trade partners in mind, but you can adapt the cards to suit your local populations — or the Vikings and the Ostragoths, for that matter. Copy the trade cards below onto cardstock several times, enlarging… Continue reading
When it’s time to study marsupials, a teacher’s mind turns lightly to thoughts of Australia. Don’t forget the North American marsupial, the possum! Our possum lesson plans include a little science, Native American folklore, and picture books. If you haven’t talked about marsupials before, explain that marsupials keep their babies… Continue reading
Strego Nona, or Grandma Witch, is an original story by Tomie de Paola that has the feeling of a folktale. In the story, Strega Nona is a witch who helps the people of her town with things like getting rid of headaches and warts, and she makes love potions “for… Continue reading
The story of Aladdin comes from The Arabian Nights or The 1,001 Nights, a collection of traditional stories from the Middle East. In the story, a young boy is approached by a man who claims to be his uncle. Actually a powerful magician, the supposed uncle leads Aladdin to a… Continue reading
