Curated OER
The Roots of Prohibition: Examining the Effort to Prohibit Alcohol in America
Five segements from Ken Burns' documentary series Prohibition, easily accessed on the PBS website, are at the center of a terrific short unit on the roots of America's ambivalent relationship with alcohol. Engage your secondary class...
DocsTeach
Analyzing Photographs of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
While a catalyst for the labor movement, 146 people lost their lives in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in 1913. A series of photographs of the aftermath of the tragedy help young historians consider the impact of the fire. The...
DocsTeach
Analyzing a Child Labor Photograph
Sometimes images tell shocking stories. Individuals examine a Lewis Hines picture of children packing beans and consider the impact working in a factory had on their young lives. A series of prompts emailed to the teacher helps them...
C-SPAN
Jane Addams and John Dewey
Imagine living where there was eight inches of garbage on the street! These were the situations the Progressive movement sought to reform. Using video clips about John Dewey and Jane Addams, learners consider the philosophies and impact...
Annenberg Foundation
The Progressives
The Progressive Era brought about a word that often leads to turmoil—change! Learners research the late 1800s in American history to uncover societal issues gripping the nation back in the day. The 15th lesson of a 22-part series...
Bill of Rights Institute
Progressivism and The New Deal
Bust those trusts! Scholars investigate the Progressive Era leading to the New Deal in America. They examine the impact legislation had on attempting to control big business in the United States. Are there any parallels to today?
National Endowment for the Humanities
Upton Sinclair, Theodore Roosevelt, and Harvey W. Wiley
Though Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle shocked the American public into a thorough examination of the meat-packing industry, the author was disappointed that his book's main argument—the exploitation of American immigrants—was not part...
Curated OER
The Roaring 20s
America during the 1920s was quite an interesting place! Bring the jazz, poverty, consumer excess, culture, and politics to life with this presentation. Primary source images, excellent descriptive text, and a wide span of topics are...
Curated OER
Industrial Revolution: A Definition
America sure did have a few growing pains during the Industrial Revolution. Share the problems, causes, effects, and reformation that marked the turn of the century and shift in policy during US industrialization. This slide show...
Curated OER
The Progressive Movement
While the Progressives never formed a political party they did develop an ideology. Provide viewers with an interesting, yet challenging presentation on the Progressive Movement that introduces key individuals and highlights key events...
Curated OER
"Whispering Wires": Public Law vs. Individual Civil Liberties
High school student love discussing controversial issues like those brought up in this fourth amendment case study. They examine the 1928 Olmstead vs. U.S. prohibition court case, applying the fourth amendment to determine whether or not...
Curated OER
The Causes of Prohibition
Eleventh graders explore the origins of the Prohibition Movement in the United States. In small groups, they analyze the influence of World War I in the passage of the eighteenth amendment. Students explain how different demographics of...
Curated OER
Jazz In America
Students explore the Jazz Era in America not only by answering questions but listening to music as well.
Curated OER
The Progressive Movement (1900-1916)
Detailing the goals of the Progressive Movement in the beginning of the 20th century, this presentation contextualized the time period for history students, making it easier to understand both society and politics of the time. A short...
Curated OER
Progressives Perspectives
Eleventh graders consider the case for Progressive politics. In this Progressive Era instructional activity, 11th graders read excerpts from The Jungle as well as articles about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. Students also analyze...
Curated OER
Introduction to Reform Movements of the 1800s
Eleventh graders consider the impact of reform movements of the 19th century. For this Progressive Reform lesson, 11th graders examine documents and images associated with women's suffrage, prohibition, and labor reform. Students respond...
Curated OER
Progressive Movement
Sixth graders define what progressivism is and find events of the Progressive Movement. In this Progressive Movement instructional activity, 6th graders create their choice of a poster, flyer or brochure to invite others into the...
Curated OER
Urban Growth in America
Students examine urban growth in America. In this urbanization lesson, students watch segments of the Discovery video "Urban Growth in America." Students conduct further research pertaining to the industrial revolution, New York City's...
Curated OER
Progressive Movement in Nebraska and the United States
Students interact with the whole progressive movement and its impact on the U.S. They list the goals of the movement. In addition, they organize primary resources and interpret political cartoons. Each student shares one of their...
Curated OER
The Muckrakers Interdisciplinary Unit
Eighth graders complete an Interdisciplinary Unit on the Muckrakers and the Progressive Movement. Students describe life in America and how Progressive Reformers changed it. identify specific problems and propose solutions. Students...
Curated OER
The Progressive Movement
A few interesting images help to establish the goals and philosophies of progressivism, but because the slideshow is so short, it would almost be a better handout than a presentation. A teacher could still use these images in a lecture...
Curated OER
Progressive Movement in Kansas
Seventh graders examine the Progressive Movement in Kansas. In this Progressive Era lesson, 7th graders study various facts about this era in Kansas. Students create a presentation on a law that was passed during this time.
Curated OER
Roaring Twenties: Prohibition and Organized Crime
Young scholars take a closer look at the Roaring Twenties. In this Prohibition and organized crime lesson, students watch "The Untouchables," and respond to the provided discussion questions about the film. A permission slip is provided...
Curated OER
Gender-based Temperance Reform
Eleventh graders investigate the Temperance Reform Movement. In this primary source analysis lesson, 11th graders use the provided analysis sheet to analyze the contents of the article "Advice to Young Women and Young Men," published in...