Authentic Lessons for 21st Century Learning

Author Profile

Sarah Brewer's Profile

Profile Picture

Sarah Brewer

LEARN Author

K20 Center

About Me

Recent Publications

Woody Guthrie: A Better World A Comin'

Contributions of Influential Oklahomans

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

What motivated and inspired legendary folk musician Woody Guthrie to create and perform music? Students explore this question throughout the lesson by engaging in a Gallery Walk analysis of Guthrie photos and quotes and then using his lyrics to determine the political and social issues that Guthrie... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Woody Guthrie: A Better World A Comin'

Contributions of Influential Oklahomans

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • Oklahoma History

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • OKH.5.8
More 2 -3 class periods
Time Frame 100 - 150 minutes
Why Did the Southern States Secede?

The Civil War

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th Grade

In this lesson, students analyze a variety of primary source documents in an effort to determine why the Southern states seceded from the Union to form the Confederate States of America. Using the evidence they compile, students craft Claim, Evidence, Reasoning statements to explain the Southern states'... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • U.S. History

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th Grade

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • 8.10, 8.10.1, 8.11, 8.11.1, 8.11.1A
More 100 minutes
Time Frame 2 class period(s)
What Does It Mean to be a Good Citizen?

Responsibilities and Rights of U.S. Citizens

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th - 12th

Students begin this lesson by brainstorming what it means to be a good citizen. Next, students analyze two documents to understand what it means to be a good citizen of a democracy, including responsibilities like participating in the democratic process, protesting injustice, and understanding how the... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
What Does It Mean to be a Good Citizen?

Responsibilities and Rights of U.S. Citizens

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • U.S. Government, U.S. History

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • USG.5.1, 8.3.10, 8.3.10A, 8.3.10B, 8.3.10C, 8.3.10D, 8.3.10E, 8.3.10F
More 2 - 3 class periods
Time Frame 120 minutes
The Literary Work of Ralph Ellison

Contributions of Influential Oklahomans

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In this lesson, students are introduced to Ralph Ellison, a celebrated Oklahoman, and the influence of his literary achievements. Students will analyze an excerpt from Ellison's most notable work, Invisible Man, to explore major themes in Ellison's writing and make connections between those themes... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
The Literary Work of Ralph Ellison

Contributions of Influential Oklahomans

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • Oklahoma History

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • OKH.6.3
More 100 minutes
Time Frame 2 class period(s)
Jazz in Oklahoma

The Contributions of Oklahoma's Jazz Musicians

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In this lesson, students will explore the contributions of Oklahoma's jazz musicians through the analysis of music, images, and text. Students will summarize their understanding by creating Six-Word Memoirs for influential jazz musicians including the Blue Devils, Jimmy Rushing, and Charlie Christian.... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
Jazz in Oklahoma

The Contributions of Oklahoma's Jazz Musicians

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • Oklahoma History

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • OKH.5.8
More 2 class periods
Time Frame 100 minutes
Industrialization and the Rise of Labor Unions

The Labor Movement

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

In this lesson, students will explore the problems that industrialization created for workers by examining a collection of photos and texts. Next, students will read about the rise of labor unions in response to the problems previously identified and their overarching goals. To extend their learning,... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson

Tag Related

  • Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP)

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th - 12th

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • U.S. History

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • USH.2.1E
More 2-3 class periods
Time Frame 100-150 minutes
The Emancipation Proclamation

Expanding the Goals of the Civil War

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th Grade

In this lesson about the Emancipation Proclamation and expanding the goals of the Civil War, students will analyze the Emancipation Proclamation in comparison to an excerpt from President Lincoln's first inaugural address. Students will work in groups using a Card Sort strategy and Paired Text Analysis... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
The Emancipation Proclamation

Expanding the Goals of the Civil War

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • U.S. History

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th Grade

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • 8.11.6
More 1-2 class period(s)
Time Frame 80 minutes
Progressivism, Organized Labor, and Oklahoma's Constitution

The Progressive Era in Oklahoma

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th Grade

After analyzing primary and secondary sources, students will describe the impact of the progressive and labor movements on the creation and ratification of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma. Then, to extend their learning, students will view a video interview with AFL-CIO President Jimmy Curry... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson

Tag Related

  • Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP)

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • Oklahoma History

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 9th Grade

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • OKH.4.4
More 100 minutes
Time Frame 1-2 class period(s)
You Want a Revolution, I Want a Revelation!

Rethinking the Words of the Declaration of Independence

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th Grade

Students, working in groups, use a "paired-text" strategy to analyze letters between Abigail and John Adams and the song "The Schuyler Sisters." Students create a "third text" by creating a hypothetical conversation between Abigail Adams and Angelica Schuyler regarding political and social issues facing... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson
You Want a Revolution, I Want a Revelation!

Rethinking the Words of the Declaration of Independence

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • U.S. History

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th Grade

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • 8.1.6, 8.1.6A, 8.1.6B, 8.1.6C, 8.2.2, 8.2.2C
More 100 minutes
Time Frame 1-2 class period(s)
The Seneca Falls Convention and the Declaration of Sentiments

Women's Rights Movement

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th Grade

In this lesson about the women's rights movement, students familiarize themselves with the experiences of women in the 19th century. Next, students interact with a short video summarizing the significance of the Seneca Falls Convention and the Declaration of Sentiments as the formal kickoff of the women's... Read more »

Lesson 5E Lesson

Subject Subject

  • Social Studies

Course Course

  • U.S. Government

Grade Level Grade Level

  • 8th Grade

Copied To Clipboard Standards

  • 8.9, 8.9.5
More 150 minutes
Time Frame 2-3 class period(s)