Curated OER
Art, Commentary and Evidence: Analysis of "The White Man's Burden"
A cross-curricular activity combines poetry and history for your middle and high schoolers. The class critically examines Kipling's poem, "White Man's Burden" as historical evidence of the Imperialist ideology popular during his time....
Curated OER
The Forgotten Cities
Students recognize and identify gaps in historical and archaeological evidence and how that evidence is interpreted. They explore the history of the Indus cities and identify what was left behind that survived for archaeologists to find...
Curated OER
George Washington and the Rule of Law
students compare The rule of law with the rule of men and consider life under each of these types of governments.In this government lesson, students read a primary source to examine the importance of the rule of law.They will also answer...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Mapping the Past
This lesson plan requires the students to examine past maps from various cultures in order to learn how the people from that time period interacted and understood their world.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Virginia Plan (1787)
Read the complete text of the Virginia Plan that proposed a strong central government consisting of three branches. You can also view images of the original drafts.
Other
Object of History: Guide to Doing History With Objects
Explore the dimensions of America's rich history by taking a detailed look at objects from our past. Examine stories, important moments, and the evolution of the American people via primary documents, photos, and other artifacts.
Other
Smith College: Across the Generations:exploring Us History Through Family Papers
The reform movement during the nineteenth century is explored through original documents. This site gives an overview of the social history of this time period.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: A Student's Guide to Historical Research
This resource focuses on teaching students how to do historical research via a series of steps. Historical photos and documents are included as examples.
Stanford University
Stanford History Education Group: Factory Life
[Free Registration/Login Required] A lesson to help students work in discussion groups to evaluate data and resources when the information is contrasting over the same event. Discussion groups Particular to this lesson explore primary...
University of Maryland
Howard County Public School System: British Surrender at Yorktown [Pdf]
Based on sourcing, students will determine which of the two pieces of historical evidence depicting the same event, the surrender of General Charles Cornwallis and the British forces at Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781, is the most...
US National Archives
Our Documents: Official Program for March on Washington(1963)
Contains a copy of the original program for the March on Washington that featured Martin Luther King. Provides a summary of the civil rights movement at that time.
Library of Congress
Loc: Become a Historical Detective
Search American Memory collections and play the role of a detective in this lesson that seeks to find out if Billy the Kid really was killed by Pat Garrett at Fort Sumner, New Mexico.
George Mason University
George Mason University: World History Sources: Material Culture: Objects
Examine different objects from many different cultures. Learn how to decipher what it is, where it came from, what the function is, and who made or owned the object.
University of Groningen
American History: Documents: Navajo Treaty of 1868
This site from the University of Groningen provides the text of the original document of the Navajo Treaty of 1868 signed by President Andrew Johnson.
Library of Congress
Loc: Creating a Primary Source Archive: All History Is Local
A lesson plan where young scholars collect local primary documents and examine the interplay between national, state, local, and personal history.
Library of Congress
Loc: After Reconstruction: Problems of African Americans
After reading a collection of primary texts, students will identify problems facing African Americans in the South following Reconstruction and propose solutions to those problems. In addition to providing guidelines for teachers leading...
Cynthia J. O'Hora
Mrs. O's House: History Facts and Fictions
There are many versions of historical events, people, and places. This PBL offers an opportunity to students to actively explore a disputed event or urban myth to decide which version they will argue in favor of with supporting evidence.
Other
Seton Hall University: Vietnam Portfolio
Features photos showing the effect of the war on the Vietnamese people. This collection focuses on the culture and history of these people during the war years.
Other
Alnpete Limited: Lepcis Magna Roman Empire in Africa
Lepcis Magna is an ancient Roman site in Libya, Africa that is being excavated. Site gives an excellent lesson in archaeological research with lots of pictures and narrative. Be sure to click on the 1996 Dig Season for a slide show of...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Traces: Historic Archaeology
Excellent lesson plans that challenge learners to consider every day uses for artifacts. Site provides an analysis worksheet that will help students consider the importance of artifacts in understanding historical people. Links to sites...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: My Piece of History
These social study lesson plans guide students into understanding the historical significance of objects from the past.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Interpretation in the National Park Service
Although this on-line book is from 1986, it can give the student a good perspective of the National Park Service and their never-ending quest to interpret the history that took place on their grounds for the American public.
University of Hawai'i
University of Hawaii: Have a Historical Question? Ask a Historian!
This site summarizes what a historian does, what tools they use, and how to prepare to ask a historical question.