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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson 2: The First Inaugural Address (1861)—Defending the American Union

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the content of Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address. In this Abraham Lincoln lesson, students analyze the text of the speech to determine how Lincoln sought to preserve the Union from secession attempts.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Second Inaugural Address (1865)—Restoring the American Union

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the content of Abraham Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address. In this Abraham Lincoln lesson, students analyze the text of the speech to determine how Lincoln sought to reconstruct the country as the Civil War drew to a close.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding James Madison The Father of the Constitution

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students research James Madison and create a table of his strengths and weaknesses. In this James Madison lesson plan, students read Jean Fritz's, The Great Little Madison, while developing their research skills, vocabulary strategies,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Presidents

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students conduct a research project. In this United States Presidents lesson, students draw a presidents name out of a box and complete a research activity on their president.  Research options include writing a two page paper,...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fourth Grade Social Studies

For Teachers 4th
In this social studies worksheet, 4th graders answer multiple choice questions about George Washington, early America, natural resources, and more. Students complete 8 questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Send Lincoln a Letter

For Teachers K - 4th
Students discover the postal service through a letter writing activity.  In this U.S. Government instructional activity, students read the book Mr. Lincoln's Whiskers, and discover the life history of President Abraham Lincoln....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Art of Persuasion

For Teachers K - 1st
Young scholars write a persuasive letter. For this persuasion lesson, students listen to the story Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters from Obedience School and discuss the vocabulary and parts of a persuasive letter. They write their own letter to...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Make Your Own Presidential Museum

For Teachers 2nd - 7th
Learners create presidential presentations. In this presidential instructional activity, students research a president and create their own museum presentation for that president. They create a script or brochure and make costumes.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Louisiana Purchase

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Students explore U.S. territorial expansion. In this Louisiana Purchase lesson plan, students investigate how the purchase was funded and determine how diplomatic actions were part of the land transfer. Students analyze several primary...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Declaration of Independence: From Rough Draft to Proclamation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover how the Declaration of Independence transformed from a draft to a treasured historical document. In this Declaration of Independence instructional activity, students discuss the context in which Jefferson wrote the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

JFK, LBJ, and the Fight for Equal Opportunity in the 1960s

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine the presidencies and John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. In this American history lesson, students specifically analyze the civil rights support of the 2 presidents and their support of civil rights legislation....
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Resolving Kennedy's Legacy

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders investigate the medical condition that plagued John F. Kennedy throughout his life.  In this US History lesson, 11th graders read and analyze uncovered documents in relation to Kennedy.  Students write a report...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wilson and American Entry into World War I

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the events that led to American entry into World War I. In this American history instructional activity, students examine the policies of Woodrow Wilson at the dawn of the war, analyze challenges to the neutrality policy...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Battle Over Reconstruction: The Aftermath of War

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explore public sentiment regarding Reconstruction. For this Reconstruction lesson, students analyze primary sources for evidence of the political, social and economic stability of the U.S. following the Civil War. Learners...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Public Views of Lincoln

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners write a letter in the voice of Abraham Lincoln. In this history instructional activity, students interpret the way the public viewed Lincoln during various times by examining political cartoons and images. Learners write a...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Great Society

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students explore the Great Society.  For this U.S. history and government lesson, students view the video "The Great Society," identify the major points of the speech, and compare and contrast the content with The New Deal.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Washington's Newburgh Address

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students write a persuasive essay that compares George Washington to someone overcoming an obstacle. In this American History lesson, students study Washington's Newburgh Address and the character traits of the president. They write an...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Events Led to Lincoln's Assassination?

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.  In this American history lesson, 4th graders conduct research, share their findings, and write a report about the events leading up to the death of President...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Politics and Leadership

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research a historic leader and analyze how a philosopher's writings influenced the ruler in an essay. In this philosophy of government lesson plan, students view a video and participate in a class discussion on how great...
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Unit Plan
Curated OER

The Presidents of Mount Rushmore

For Teachers K
Students understand the importance of Mount Rushmore as a national symbol. In this Mount Rushmore lesson, students locate Mount Rushmore on the map and investigate each of the four Presidents on Mount Rushmore. Students understand how...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Made George Washington a Good Military Leader? What Are the Qualities of a Good Military Leader?

For Teachers 9th - 11th
Students examine the military leadership of George Washington. In this military leadership lesson, students use Internet and print resources to research Washington's military experience and his successful military campaigns. Students...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Gettysburg Address (1863): Defining the American Union

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Learners explore the Gettysburg Address. In this U. S. history lesson, students examine Abraham Lincoln's speech and it's themes of freedom, equality, and emancipation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Social Security Act

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the Social Security Act of 1935. In this U.S. history lesson, students research primary sources in order to prepare for a mock debate of the act prior to it becoming legislation.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Nation Divided

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders participate in various activities related to the Civil War. For this Civil War lesson students understand the events and feelings of people during the Civil War by studying primary sources, journal writing, readings,...