Curated OER
Evaluating Eyewitness Reports
Learners consider the advantages and disadvantages of eyewitness accounts as records of history. They research several accounts of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and then compare and contrast each version to arrive at a final picture.
Curated OER
Analyzing the Lewis and Clark Journals
Learners examine and interpret Corps of Discovery journal entries as primary documents/sources providing insight into the Lewis and Clark expedition's journey. They present information they have documented on included activity sheet in...
Curated OER
Colonial History: Fearless and faaithful
Students discuss reasons why early europeans immigrated to North America. Working in groups, they complete Internet activities on the PBS Website. They take a simulated voyage to the new world and rercord their actions on worksheets. ...
Curated OER
Who Tells the Story? Defining History
Seventh graders examine historical perspectives. In this historical writing lesson, 7th graders discuss their definitions of history and then discuss perspectives of history. As a culminating activity, students write narrative stories...
American Academy of Achievement
Academy of Achievement: David Mc Cullough
Biography of David Mccullough, distinguished author and winner of two Pulitzer Prizes for his work writing and publishing historical biographies.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Prairie Diaries
This site from NPR is an excellent example of personal narratives from the heartland. Read and listen to excerpts from Kansans about a day in their life. What were they doing, what were they thinking, what was going on in their lives.
EL Education
El Education: This Is Why I Cry
Students gain a deeper understanding of slavery by creating an accurate portrayal of a character from history. Each historical character file they create contains a portrait, a biographical narrative, a character map, a bibliography, and...
Library of Congress
Loc: Immigration: Destroying the Native American Cultures
Detailed and extensive account of the plight of Native Americans during the westward growth of America. Includes maps, audio recordings, authentic letters, speeches,a great timeline, and much more.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Teacher Serve: Beyond the Written Document: Looking for Africa in African American Culture
Paulla A. Ebron, professor at Stanford University, takes a look at how objects, landscapes, orally transmitted stories, and songs along with written documents can be used to study cultural history.
PBS
Pbs: Age of Hope
Read and listen to two eyewitness interviews from people who have lived through the 20th century. What were their hopes for the world when they were young? Site includes detailed lesson plan.
Ancestry
Historical Narratives
Here, you can read historical narratives spanning from 1791 to 1850. RL.11-12.10a/b Text Complexity