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Though designed to be complete virtual fieldtrips, ProjectExplorer.org’s free multimedia materials and lesson plans serve as excellent supplemental resources for primary and secondary instruction. This guide will allow you to search by subject, providing an easy way to incorporate ProjectExplorer.org into your existing curriculum. This section will also allow you to quickly assess what resources are available for each academic subject.
To access the lesson plans you must be registered. (Registration is free.) If you have not registered or are not logged in, you will have a chance to do so once you select a lesson plan, below.
Arts Education
Dance: Afro-Fusion
From the South Africa series. A brief history of this modern South African dance style told by its founder, Sylvia Glasser. Includes a performance by a professional dance company.
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Dance: Gumboots
From the South Africa series. A brief history and performance of this modern South African dance style.
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Dance: The Indlamu, traditional Zulu dance
From the South Africa series. A student dance troupe performs this traditional Zulu warrior dance.
| Video | Lesson Plan | Handout |
Music: Adhan, Call to Prayer
From the Jordan series. Audio sample of the Call to Prayer from the King Hussein Mosque in Amman.
| Audio | Lesson Plan | Handout |
Music: African Instruments
From the South Africa series. An introductory look at several traditional southern African instruments. Includes a rare performance of the lesiba, a stringed-wind instrument from Lesotho.
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Music: The Djembe
From the South Africa series. Master player, Patrick Pobee, demonstrates how to play the djembe, a drum popular in west African music.
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Music: Middle Eastern Music
From the Jordan series. A Syrian band plays the oud, the tabla, the zither, and the violin.
| Video | Audio | Lesson Plan |
Music: Music and the Apartheid Era
From the South Africa series. World-renowned musician, Sipho Mabuse, discusses music and censorship during the Apartheid era. Includes a music video of the 1980’s hit ‘Burnout’ by Mabuse.
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Music: Music and the Apartheid Era, II
From the South Africa series. Musician Vusi Mahlasela discusses music and censorship during the Apartheid era. Includes performances by Vusi.
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Theatre: Directing Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well
From the Shakespeare’s England series. Darko Tresnjak discusses directing Shakespeare for the stage and his production of All’s Well That Ends Well. Video includes scenic design sketches.
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Theatre: The History of the Market Theatre
From the South Africa series. Artistic Director, Malcolm Purkey explains the history of Johannesburg’s Market Theatre and discusses some of the productions from the Apartheid era.
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Theatre: The History of the Old Vic
From the Shakespeare’s England series. An inside look at the long history of the Old Vic in London and some of the famous performers to appear on its stage. Video includes archival images.
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Theatre: Scenic Design
From the Shakespeare’s England series. Tom Piper discusses his career as a scenic design at the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC). Video includes numerous images from RSC stage productions.
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Theatre: Shakespeare’s Hamlet
From the Shakespeare’s England series. A Broadway actor discusses and performs Hamlet’s famous “To Be or Not to Be” speech.
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Theatre: Shakespeare’s Macbeth
From the Shakespeare’s England series. A Broadway actor discusses and performs Macbeth’s soliloquy from Act 1, Scene 7 of the play.
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Theatre: Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
From the Shakespeare’s England series. An actor performs Puck’s epilogue from the Shakespearean play.
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Visual Arts: Contemporary African Fashion
From the South Africa series. The creative team behind Sun Goddess clothing discusses traditional and cultural influences in their modern designs.
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Visual Arts: Create Your Own Passport
From the Shakespeare’s England series. An activity for younger students to create their own passports and country stamps. This lesson can also be found in the South Africa and Jordan series.
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Visual Arts: Iconic Architecture
From the Shakespeare’s England series. Facts and figures from one of London’s newest iconic structures.
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Visual Arts: Middle Eastern Clothing
From the Jordan series. A look at several unique pieces of Jordanian and Palestinian clothing..
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Visual Arts: Mosaics
From the Jordan series. A look at how mosaics are made. Also includes a brief overview of the Madaba Map, a 6th century CE mosaic depiction of the Holy Land.
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Visual Arts: Photojournalism & Photography
From the South Africa series. Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist, Greg Marinovich, discusses the power of pictures. Videos include several famous archival images.
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English Language
Reading Comprehension & Writing Skills: Growing up in Tudor Times
From the Shakespeare’s England series. A visit to William Shakespeare’s childhood home for a look at the Tudor way of life and the Shakespeare family’s social status. Includes research and creative writing lesson plans.
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Reading Comprehension & Writing Skills: Journal Writing
From the Shakespeare’s England series. This chapter and the accompanying lesson encourage daily journal (blog) writing.
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Reading Comprehension & Writing Skills: Segregation Throughout History
From the South Africa series. In this lesson, older students compare and contrast historical systems of segregation as they relate to the system of Apartheid.
| Video | Lesson Plan | Handout |
Reading Comprehension & Writing Skills: Shakespeare’s Hamlet
From the Shakespeare’s England series. A Broadway actor discusses and performs Hamlet’s famous “To Be or Not to Be” speech.
| Video | Lesson Plan | Handout |
Reading Comprehension & Writing Skills: Shakespeare’s Macbeth
From the Shakespeare’s England series. A Broadway actor discusses and performs Macbeth’s soliloquy from Act 1, Scene 7 of the play.
| Video | Lesson Plan | Handout |
Reading Comprehension & Writing Skills: World Music & Instruments
From the Jordan series. In this chapter and its accompanying lesson, older students research and write about a traditional instrument, its origin, and its cultural or religious significance. This lesson can also be found in the South Africa series.
| Video | Audio | Lesson Plan |
Vocabulary: Eco-Vocab
From the Shakespeare’s England series. This chapter is designed to help younger learners to build their vocabulary as it relates to ecology and the environment. This lesson can also be found in the South Africa and Jordan series.
| Video | Photos | Lesson Plan | Handout |
Vocabulary: Latin prefixes and suffixes
From the Jordan series. This chapter introduces students to basic Latin roots as they relate to the English language. This lesson can also be found in the Shakespeare’s England series.
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Vocabulary: Religious Vocabulary
From the Jordan series. This chapter is designed to help younger learners build their vocabulary as it relates to religion and religious practices.
| Video | Lesson Plan | Handout |
Famous People & Places
Ancient Structures: Petra
From the Jordan Series. A look at the 6th century BCE Nabataean city of Petra. Videos include a visit to three of the most popular features: The Treasury, The Siq, and The Monastery.
| Video | Audio | Lesson Plan |
Leaders: Nelson Mandela
From the South Africa series. Visit Robben Island and the prison cell in which Nelson Mandela was held for 17 years.
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Modern Structures: The London Eye
From the Shakespeare’s England series. Facts and figures from one of London’s newest iconic structures.
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Foreign Languages
Afrikaans: Introduction to Afrikaans
From the South Africa series. This chapter introduces learners to basic words and phrases in Afrikaans.
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Arabic: Introduction to Arabic
From the Jordan series. This chapter introduces learners to basic words and phrases in Arabic.
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Arabic: The Poetry of Arabic
From the Jordan series. This video examines the construction of words in the Arabic language.
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Xhosa: Introduction to Xhosa
From the South Africa series. This chapter introduces learners to basic words and phrases in Xhosa.
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Zulu: Introduction to Zulu
From the South Africa series. This chapter introduces learners to basic words and phrases in Zulu.
| Video | Lesson Plan | Handout |
Health & Physical Education
Health: Understanding HIV/AIDS
From the South Africa series. The Director of Research for amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research) discusses key health facts and the impact of HIV/AIDS on the African continent.
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Sports: Introduction to Cricket
From the South Africa series. An introduction to the sport and the basics of the game.
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Sports: Introduction to Surfing
From the South Africa series. The basics of the sport.
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History
Geography: Famous Landmarks
From the Shakespeare’s England series. This chapter and the accompanying lessons are designed to familiarize students with famous structures and landmarks around the world. This lesson can also be found in the South Africa and Jordan series.
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Geography: The Holy Land
From the Jordan series. A brief overview of the Madaba Map, a 6th century CE cartographic depiction of the Holy Land.
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Geography: The Jordanian Desert
From the Jordan series. Visit the Jordanian desert of Wadi Rum and the Bedouin people who live in the region.
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Geography: Where in the World?
From the Shakespeare’s England series. In this chapter, younger students are asked to identify on a map or a globe where in the world they would most like to visit.
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U.S. History: Apartheid and the Civil Rights movement
From the South Africa series. Chairman of the Apartheid Museum, Dr. John Kani, discusses Apartheid as it relates to the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
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World History: Ancient Amman
From the Jordan Series. Exploring the ancient city of Philadelphia (modern day Amman) and its Roman architecture.
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World History: Introduction to Apartheid
From the South Africa series. Chairman of the Apartheid Museum, Dr. John Kani, discusses Apartheid, Pass Laws, and economic sanctions. Includes archival video footage from SABC television.
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World History: District Six
From the South Africa series. Noor Ebrahim, Founder of the District Six Museum, discusses forced removals under the Apartheid government. The accompanying lesson explores the displacement of people throughout history.
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World History: Nelson Mandela on Robben Island
From the South Africa series. Visit the notorious Robben Island prison and the cell which held Nelson Mandela for 17 years.
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World History: Petra
From the Jordan series. Visit Petra, the ancient Nabataean city carved entirely out of rock-face. Strategically located along the Frankincense Route, Petra’s history dates back more than 2,000 years.
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World History: The Roman Army
From the Jordan series. An introduction to military tactics and weaponry of the Roman Army during the 1st and 2nd centuries. Includes a look at the ancient ruins of Gerasa, a member of the Decapolis League.
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World History: Segregation Throughout History
From the South Africa series. In this lesson, older students compare and contrast historical systems of segregation as they relate to the system of Apartheid.
| Video | Lesson Plan | Handout |
World History: Sharpeville Massacre
From the South Africa series. Former political prisoner, Sideeq Levy, tells the history of the 1960 massacre that killed more than 60 black South Africans who were protesting the Pass Laws.
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World History: South Africa’s Free Elections
From the South Africa series. Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, discusses South Africa’s first free elections in 1994.
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World History: The Soweto Riots
From the South Africa series. History of the violent 1976 student uprisings in Soweto, South Africa. Includes archival video footage from SABC television and archival images from the Sowetan Newspaper.
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World History: World Leaders
From the Jordan series. A look inside the Royal Palaces of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Includes archival video footage of His Majesty King Abdullah II. Lesson plans explore world leaders throughout history.
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Mathematics
Financial Education: Travel Research, Planning, and Budgeting
From the Shakespeare’s England series. This lesson challenges students to create a travel itinerary and personal budget for a trip. This lesson can also be found in the South Africa and Jordan series.
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Science & Technology
Architecture & Engineering: Iconic Architecture
From the Shakespeare’s England series. This chapter and the accompanying lessons challenge students to create commemorative structures while considering negative and positive environmental impact. This lesson can also be found in the South Africa and Jordan series.
| Video | Photos | Lesson Plan |
Architecture & Engineering: The Red-Dead Sea Project
From the Jordan series. An introduction to the Red-Dead Sea project, a proposed engineering project planning to extract water from the Read Sea, process it thru a desalination plant to create drinking water, and send the salty waste-water Dead Sea.
| Video | Photos | Lesson Plan |
Ecology: Eco-Vocab
From the Shakespeare’s England series. This chapter is designed to help younger learners build their vocabulary as it relates to ecology and the environment. This lesson can also be found in the South Africa and Jordan series.
| Video | Photos | Lesson Plan | Handout |
Ecology: Habitats
From the Jordan series. Dr. Erin Addison discusses the re-creation of habitats at the Royal Botanic Garden.
| Video | Lesson Plan | Handout |
Ecology: Sustainable Grazing
From the Jordan series. Dr. Al-Tibini discusses the importance of moderate grazing in order to protect the sustainability of the Royal Botanic Garden.
| Video | Lesson Plan | Handout |
Life Science: The Arabian Oryx
From the Jordan series. Discussing the re-introduction of the near-extinct Arabian Oryx.
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Social Studies
Civics, Citizenship, and Government: Archbishop Desmond Tutu
From the South Africa series. Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Desmond Tutu, discusses South Africa’s first free elections (1994), Ubuntu, and global citizenship. Accompanying lesson plan focuses on voter issues and the importance of being informed citizens.
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Civics, Citizenship, and Government: Campaign Slogans
From the Jordan Series. From a UNRWA Girls’ primary school, students discuss their campaign slogans.
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Civics, Citizenship, and Government: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
From the Jordan series. A look inside the Royal Palaces of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Includes archival video footage of His Majesty King Abdullah II.
| Video | Lesson Plan |
Civics, Citizenship, and Government: Post-Apartheid South African Government
From the South Africa series. Former UN Ambassador, Dave Steward, discusses Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk, the creation of South Africa’s Constitution, and current challenges facing the country.
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Civics, Citizenship, and Government: The United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Government
From the Shakespeare’s England Series. UK Member of Parliament, Simon Hughes, discusses the election process, the Monarchy, shadow governments, and Prime Minister’s questions.
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Civics, Citizenship, and Government: US Embassy in Amman
From the Jordan Series. A Political Officer at the US Embassy in Amman describes the differences between the United States government and the Constitutional Monarchy of Jordan. Also explained are the functions of the US State Department and the role of a US Political officer.
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Culture & Customs: The Bedouin
From the Jordan series. An introduction to the Bedouin, the nomadic people of the Jordanian desert. Chapter includes videos on mansaf, a traditional meal, and camels.
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Culture & Customs: Burkha, Hijab, and Keffiyah
From the Jordan Series. An introduction to traditional head coverings of the Middle East.
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Culture & Customs: Market in Amman
From the Jordan Series. Exploring downtown Amman. Includes a visit to the local fruit and vegetable market.
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Culture & Customs: Middle Eastern Clothing
From the Jordan Series. A look at some unique pieces of Jordanian and Palestinian clothing and their cultural significance.
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Culture & Customs: South African Names
From the South Africa series. Understanding traditional South African names and their meaning.
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Media Literacy: Campaign and Advertising Slogans
From the Jordan Series. Understanding campaign/common marketing slogans and the power of advertising in mixed-media formats.
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Religion: Bethany beyond the Jordan
From the Jordan series. Visit the active archaeological site of Bethany beyond the Jordan. Located along the Jordan River, it is believed to be the baptismal site of Jesus.
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Religion: An Introduction to Islam
From the Jordan series. This chapter explores the 5 Pillars of Islam as explained by, Prof. Peter Awn, Director of the Middle East Studies program at Columbia University.
| Video | Audio | Lesson Plan | Handout |
World Cuisine: Middle Eastern Favorites
From the Jordan series. An introduction to traditional Middle Eastern food. Includes regional recipes.
| Video | Lesson Plan | Handout |
World Cuisine: South African Cuisine
From the South Africa series. ProjectExplorer.org host, Ilana Fayerman, tries Mopani Worms!
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World Cuisine: Thai Cuisine
From the Shakespeare’s England series. Exploring Thai food in London.
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World Cuisine: The Tudor Kitches
From the Shakespeare’s England series. An introduction to the foods available during Shakespeare’s time.
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World Cuisine: Turkish Cuisine
From the Shakespeare’s England series. An introduction to some Turkish culinary favorites. Includes a recipe for hummus.
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World Cuisine: The Wonderful World of Cheese
From the Shakespeare’s England series. Understanding different varieties of cheese its long history in England. Includes a ‘how-to’ guide on the cheese-making process.
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Career, Life Skills & Other
Career Development & Occupational Studies: Behind the Scenes of a Television Drama
From the South Africa series. A brief look at what goes on behind-the-scenes to create a television program.
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Career Development & Occupational Studies: Inside a Foundry
From the Shakespeare’s England series. A walk-thru of the bell-making process. The accompanying lessons are designed to help students understand the purpose of an educational or instructional manual.
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Career Development & Occupational Studies: Interview with an Actor
From the Shakespeare’s England series. Professional actor, Paterson Joseph, discusses his training and career.
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Career Development & Occupational Studies: Interview with a Photojournalist
From the South Africa series. Q&A with Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist, Greg Marinovich. Video includes a number of Greg’s images.
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Career Development & Occupational Studies: Interview with a Political Officer
From the Jordan series. A Political Officer at the US Embassy in Amman describes the functions of the US State Department and his career.
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Career Development & Occupational Studies: Interview with a Scenic Designer
From the Shakespeare’s England series. Q&A with Tom Piper, Associate Designer with the Royal Shakespeare Company. Video includes numerous images of Tom’s designs.
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Career Development & Occupational Studies: Interview with a Theatrical Director
From the Shakespeare’s England series. Q&A with Shakespearean Director, Darko Tresnjak.
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Life Skills: Travel Research and Planning
From the Shakespeare’s England series. This lesson challenges students to create a travel itinerary and personal budget for a trip. This lesson can also be found in the South Africa and Jordan series.
| Lesson Plan |
Special Thanks to our Contributing Educators: Scott Ausplemyer, Celeste Beck, Kailee Bialaszewski, Claudia Buccos, Nicole Duell, Ishai Jacob, Ewen Ku, Sharon Menotiades, Chris Mills, Erin Morris, Cindy Hastings Sakaan, and Charles Swan.
Copyright © 2010 ProjectExplorer, LTD. All Rights Reserved.
