National History Day
Propaganda Posters of World War I: Analyzing the Methods Behind the Images
The power of a picture. During the events surrounding World War I, propaganda posters were widely distributed in American society to sway the emotions of its citizens. By analyzing World War I propaganda posters in the first installment...
Idaho State Department of Education
Lessons for Social Studies Educators
Point of view, purpose, and tone: three concepts readers of primary and secondary source materials must take into account when examining documents. Class members view a PowerPoint presentation and use the SOAPS strategy to identify an...
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
Investigation: Tour de Texas
Teams of Texas tourists gather into groups to analyze what they can do with $50 worth of an alternative fuel. They write checks, keep a balance sheet, and map out their sight-seeing route taking into consideration the location of...
Curated OER
Propaganda in the 1900's
Students examine primary sources to discover information about life in the 20th century. In this propaganda lesson, students analyze posters from the time period and present their findings to their classmates.
Curated OER
Immigrant Photo Analysis
Pupils examine photographs taken of immigrants during late 1800s and early 1990s in America, and identify factors involved in immigration through examination of primary documents that include statistics, trends, graphs, photographs,...
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Leaving Home for the West - Why?
Students examine primary sources regarding American movement to the west. In this westward expansion lesson, students create broadside posters based on the Homestead Act primary sources they research.
Curated OER
America at the Centennial
Young scholars explore centennial America. For this American history lesson, students search the Library of Congress digital collections for primary sources regarding the lifestyles and values of Americans in 1876. Young scholars design...
Curated OER
The American West: Images of Its People
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this American West lesson, students examine photographs that reveal the cultural components of the West and then write narratives regarding the photographs.
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Ideas have Consequences—The Reformation
Students examine information regarding the Protestant Reformation. In this primary source analysis lesson plan, students read teacher-selected primary sources that enable them to analyze the ideas and consequences of the Reformation.
Curated OER
The Huexotzinco Codex
Students examine primary sources and perform historical analysis. In this Huexotzinco Codex instructional activity, students investigate the codex as they make inferences and draw conclusions
Curated OER
Baseball, Race and Ethnicity: Rounding the Bases
Students consider Race and Ethnicity in baseball. In this American history lesson, students examine primary source images of American baseball. They then develop an original argument, pose historical questions and conduct Internet research.
Curated OER
Japanese American Internment
Eleventh graders examine Japanese-American internment. In this World War II lesson, 11th graders research primary sources that they locate to learn about the experiences of the interned Japanese-Americans. Students then complete a...
Curated OER
Mathew Brady: Civil War
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this Civil War lesson, students analyze photographs taken by Mathew Brady.
Curated OER
Interpreting Political Cartoons – Vietnam Era
Eleventh graders explore opinions regarding U.S. involvement in Vietnam. In this primary source analysis lesson plan, 11th graders analyze political cartoons related to the Vietnam War and then respond to the provided discussion questions.
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The American Dream
Students define the American dream. In this primary research lesson plan, students search the Library of Congress digital collections for primary sources regarding the ideal of the American dream. Students create presentation to...
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Unchained Memories
Eleventh graders consider what life was like for American slaves. In this primary source analysis instructional activity, 11th graders read slave narratives from Unchained Memories and then participate in a discussion about the...
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Worksheet for Analysis of a Broadside or Leaflet
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students respond to 15 short answer questions that require them to analyze leaflets or brochures of their choice.
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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.
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The Garber Family Letters: Recreating 19th-Century Family
Students interpret primary sources and recreate the story of the Garber family.
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Language and Runaway Slave Ads
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this fugitive slave lesson, students research and analyze fugitive slave advertisements from Virginia newspapers.
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Worksheet for Analysis of a Map
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students respond to 6 short answer questions that require them to analyze the maps of their choice.
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Worksheet for Analysis of a Motion Picture
In this primary source analysis learning exercise, students respond to 14 short answer questions that require them to analyze the motion picture of their choice.
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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....
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A Letter Read 'Round the World
Young scholars examine primary document to examine the concept of free assembly, and analyze Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's letter to the clergy to explain the rationale for this tactic to advance civil rights.