Core Knowledge Foundation
Colonial America Tell It Again!™ Read-Aloud Anthology
A read-aloud anthology explores Colonial America. Third graders listen to informational texts, discuss what they heard, and participate in extension activities and writing. Take-home materials, assessments, and remediation opportunities...
Mr. Nussbaum
Pennsylvania Colony
An informational reading sheds light on the history of the Pennsylvania colony. Scholars read the text, then answer 10 questions.
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
The Battle of Trenton
The Continental Army's victory at the Battle of Trenton marked a turning point in the American Revolution. Young historians examine maps, read primary source materials, and create a timeline of events to understand why the victory was so...
Curated OER
Abolish the Office of Governor
Students explore the history of the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776. In this historical analysis lesson, students analyze the constitution of the state and determine how citizens benefited (or didn't benefit) from the document....
Curated OER
Crawford Grill: Opening the Doors of Opportunity
Analyze the role the Crawford Grill played in the history of Jazz music. Budding historians research interviews and video clips to learn about the Crawford Grill in Pennsylvania and black music history. The lesson culminates when...
Curated OER
Digging, Smelting and Forging: But Why in Pennsylvania
Students examine the history of the iron industry in Pennsylvania. In this iron industry lesson plan, students learn about Israel Acrilius and his role in the iron industry. Students identify natural resources used in forging iron....
Curated OER
The Pennsylvania Turnpike: Then and Now
Students study the history of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. For this Pennsylvania history lesson, students use primary documents to study the history of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. In a culminating activity, students create an advertisement...
Curated OER
The Most American Thing in America: The Chautauqua
Students explore the Chautauqua movement. For this Pennsylvania history lesson, students use primary documents to explore what the Chautauqua was and how it made a difference in the American way of life.
Curated OER
Everything's Coming Up Roses: Creating Beautiful Areas in Your Neighborhood
Learners study the history of Pennsylvania and the city beautification movement that originated in that state. In this community service lesson, young scholars study the city beautification movement started by Mira Lloyd Dock. Learners...
Curated OER
Levittown, White Picket Paradise?
Students study the origins and happenings of Levittown, Pennsylvania. In this Pennsylvania history lesson plan, students use primary and secondary sources to research the beginnings of Levittown, PA. As a culminating activity, students...
Curated OER
The Moravians: What Does It Take to Build a Religious Community
Young scholars study a Moravian community, its town structure, and compare the town to other non-religious communities. In this religious community lesson, students research a Moravian community using the town plan documents and excerpts...
Curated OER
Mary's Choice: To Go or Stay?
Students read about Mary Jemison and her decision to stay in her adopted Indian culture or return to her native culture. In this Pennsylvanian history instructional activity, students read about the true story of Mary Jemison's kidnap as...
Curated OER
Daily Life in Pennsylvania's Historic Cloistered Religious Communities
Study the daily life of three religious communities from Pennsylvanian history. Learners research the religious communities of the Ephrata Cloister, Bethlehem, and Harmony. They study primary sources for each community and complete...
Curated OER
Mr. Coal's Story: An Appeal to End Child Labor
Pupils read about child labor in the early 20th century. In this Pennsylvania history lesson, students read a story about child labor and discuss reasons why child labor laws should have existed during the early 20th century.
Curated OER
Betrayal of Penn's Promise - The Walking Purchase
Pupils role-play the 1737 Walking Purchase. In this Pennsylvania history lesson, middle schoolers role-play the 1737 Walking Purchase and analyze its effects. Pupils also consider how it would affect their community today.
Curated OER
Patchtowns: Big Industry, Little Towns
Learners explore what it was like to live in a coal mining town. In this history lesson plan, students discuss specific details about the lives of coal company workers and their families.
National Audubon Society
National Audubon Society: John James Audubon (1785 1851)
Read the story of John J. Audubon (1785-1851 CE), a talented man who grew up in Pennsylvania and dedicated his life to the study of birds.
Library of Congress
Loc: Today in History: August 24: William Penn & the Panic of 1857
Library of Congress website on the Panic of 1857 as well as the acquisition of Maryland-Pennsylvania.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Johnstown Flood National Memorial
An enlightening website tells the story of the "1889 flood that devastated Pennsylvania." Click on the pictures to learn interesting details about the flood and the damage it caused.
A&E Television
History.com: Pennsylvania
Take a detailed look at the state of Pennsylvania! From its earliest history and peoples, to present day facts which include population, climate, geography, plants and animals, economy, government, cultural life, sports and recreation,...
Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Religious Tolerance: The Amish: Beliefs, Practices, & Conflicts, Etc.
A thorough description of the Amish. Read how this religious movement was started, what some of their beliefs and practices are, and what some of their problems have been over the years.
University of Pennsylvania
Univ. Of Pennsylvania: History of the University of Pennsylvania
From the University founded by Benjamin Franklin comes an excellent historical site that provides brief histories as well as special topics in Penn history and biographies of distinguished men and women of Penn.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Explore Pa History: Jazz in Pennsylvania
Explore the history and influences of jazz in the state of Pennsylvania. Resource includes links to audio clips and video from artists, and stories of jazz from around the state.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Explore Pa History: Indians of Pennsylvania
Learn about the Indians of Pennsylvania through this detailed, historical account. Contained in this site are links to audio, video, interactive, and pictorial images of events and people of this era.