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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Declaration of Independence: From Rough Draft to Proclamation

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students discover the purpose of the Declaration of Independence. In this colonial America lesson plan, students compare the original draft by Thomas Jefferson to the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thomas Jefferson's Library: Making the Case for a National Library

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Young scholars examine a letter written by Thomas Jefferson. In this lesson on the Thomas Jefferson Library, students discover a methodology for creative writing by examining Jefferson's letter to congress explaining why they should...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Louisiana Purchase

For Teachers 5th - 11th
Students explore U.S. territorial expansion. For this Louisiana Purchase lesson, 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
High schoolers discover how the Declaration of Independence transformed from a draft to a treasured historical document. In this Declaration of Independence lesson, students discuss the context in which Jefferson wrote the document and...
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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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Worksheet
Curated OER

Famous Thomas Jefferson Quote

For Students 3rd - 6th
In this famous quote worksheet, students read a famous quote by Thomas Jefferson, write their opinion of what it is about and then write a sentence or 2 about a time that they rebelled against something.
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The Louisiana Purchase

For Students 7th - 9th
In this Historical Facts activity, learners read a passage about the Louisiana Purchase and answer 8 fill in the blank and 7 true/false questions.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lewis and Clark for Grades PreK-2

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students read the "The Journey Begins" article and discuss why people want to discover new lands and why it is still exciting today. They are introduced to the idea that Lewis and Clark sent back discoveries to President Thomas...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Johnny Tremain for the 21st Century

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the American Revolution based on the novel, 'Johnny Tremain.' They define key vocabulary terms, develop a timeline, write a report on a colonial craft, make a colonial flag, and create a...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I'm Number One!

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders complete a unit of lessons on the first seven presidents of the U.S. They conduct research, write a four-paragraph essay, and create posters and speeches for a simulated campaign convention.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Wolf by the Ear

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young scholars examine Thomas Jefferson's complex and contradictory relationship with slavery.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thomas Jefferson on the Sedition Act

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars research and cite arguments Jefferson used in objecting to the Sedition Act. They discuss Jefferson's opinion on how constitutional questions about the Sedition Act could be resolved.
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Lesson 2: The Debate in Congress on the Sedition Act

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Pupils research and discuss the provisions in the Constitution that supported the arguments for and against the Sedition Act. They articulate objections to and arguments in favor of the Sedition Act.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

From the White House of Yesterday to the White House of Today: A President's Home and the President's House

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Stduents look closely at what one President did at his home in contrast to what Presidents have done in the White House. They take a virtual tour of the White House and Monticello.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Embodied Presidency

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders discover details about Thomas Jefferson's life. In this early American history instructional activity, 8th graders view a PowerPoint presentation that outlines some aspects of Jefferson's life. Students research the life...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

Deism: Paine and Jefferson Student Worksheet

For Students 8th - 12th
In this Deism instructional activity, students read an article about the opinions of Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson. Students then respond to 12 short answer questions.
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Interactive
Curated OER

The Declaration of Independence (1776)

For Students 8th - 12th
In this online interactive history activity, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about the Declaration of Independence.
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Interactive
Curated OER

Thomas Jefferson

For Students 7th - 12th
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about the accomplishments of Thomas Jefferson . Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Declaration of Independence: Created Equal?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how Jefferson dealt with equality. In this lesson on the Declaration of Independence, students use primary sources to analyze what the phrase, "All men are created equal" meant. They will compare what they think equality...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Beyond Louisiana

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the challenges that faced United States as a new nation.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders study the chronology of events leading up to the expedition of Lewis and Clark.  Students organize...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rollin' Down the River

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students examine the contributions of Lewis and Clark. In this Louisiana Purchase lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding the Lewis and Clark expedition.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Wolf by the Ear

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine Thomas Jefferson's view of slavery. In this slavery lesson, students watch segments of the video "Slavery and the Making of America." Students respond to discussion questions as they watch the video and make inferences...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slavery by the Numbers

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students examine the role of slavery in the United States. In this American history instructional activity, students watch segments of the video "Slavery and the Making of America." Students conduct further research pertaining to Thomas...