Curated OER
The Impact of the Cotton Gin
Fourth graders study Eli Whitney and the cotton gin. In this lesson on the cotton gin, 4th graders use primary and secondary sources to gather information about Eli Whitney, the cotton gin that he invented and how it changed the south.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Comparing Regimes: Critical Reading of Memoirs and Experiences from Totalitarian Regimes
Can you imagine living in a totalitarian country? Learners will read several primary source memoirs to gain a deeper understanding of what life is like under a controlled government. They'll discuss each piece in pairs, research...
Curated OER
West Indies and The Caribbean: Sugar & Slavery
Students study the state of the world before the slave trade. They explain the geography and economics of the slave trade. They explore primary sources and how historians use these sources to create historical interpretations.
Curated OER
The Harlem Renaissance
Students, after researching/analyzing the movement "Harlem Renaissance" and Africa as well as reading literature from that time period, create lists of the major characteristics of the movement and its important writers. They bridge the...
Curated OER
Hunger in Africa
Students investigate the work of the Carter Center in addressing hunger in Africa. In this African health issue lesson, students respond to essential questions regarding the work the Carter Center does as they visit provided websites.
Learning to Give
Africa - The Great Southland
Applying the five themes of geography, preteen explorers develop a visual aid for younger learners in celebration African American History Month. They investigate the political, geographic, economic, and social aspects of the continent...
Curated OER
MEDIEVAL SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Seventh graders examine the area of medieval Sub-Saharan Africa through eyes of travelers in the company of one of history's greatest travelers, Ibn Battuta. The project has been structured to include all the State standards for this unit.
Curated OER
Breaking the Unjust Law
Students consider the concept of civil disobedience. In this lesson on changing unjust laws, students use primary sources to understand how Gandhi and King changed the law. Students will then list laws that they feel are unjust and plan...
Curated OER
Seven Wonders of the World: The Great Pyramids
Students explore the Great Pyramids. In this lesson plan on Egyptian culture, students use primary sources to examine Egyptians. Students will design and draft blue prints of their own pyramid.
Curated OER
Geographic Luck
Students examine why some countries are rich while others remain poor. They view a video on the website, Guns, Germs and Steel, analyze primary sources to conduct research about plants and animals, and create a game based on their research.
VIF Learning Center
Languages as Reflection of Cultures and Civilizations: French Speaking Countries
Expand your class's vision of the French-speaking world by conducting this research project. Pupils focus on building 21st-century skills while they look up information about a French country and put together presentations.
Curated OER
Fighting Disease
Seventh graders explore the concept of medical intervention in African nations. In this geography lesson, 7th graders research primary and secondary sources in search of information regarding Guinea worm disease. Students use their...
Curated OER
Triangular Trade and Its Effects
Young scholars investigate the trade routes and investigate goods and services were transported along each route. Given a primary source document, that represents a personal story related to the triangle trade, they discuss given questions.
Curated OER
The Voices of Slavery
Fourth graders recognize and can describe the settlers of Early America. In this American colonies lesson, 4th graders research using primary and secondary sources, Native Americans, Europeans, and African Americans role in the...
Curated OER
Slave Auctions in South Carolina
Students examine primary sources in the form of auction records, create frequency charts, graphs and diagrams that they analyze to anwer questions followed by the writing of a paper that demonstrates their comprehension of the lesson.
Curated OER
African Safari
Seventh graders examine different countries in Africa to research. They choose one to concentrate their research on using the five themes of geography. They design a multimedia presentation that will make up the African safari.
Curated OER
After Reconstruction: Problems of African Americans
High schoolers describe issues or problems facing African Americans following Reconstruction. They explain possible solutions to these problems suggested in the sources you find, and cite arguments for and against these solutions.
Curated OER
The Story Of American Freedom
Pupils investigate the concept of American freedom with the use of primary sources of images in order to derive meaning. The images are used to inspire research and writing about historical scenes. The writing and analysis of the images...
Curated OER
Scarification
Learners examine the process of scarification. They use their prior knowledge to discuss how to change the appearance of the human body. They write a summary about what they have learned.
Curated OER
Giants of the Animal Kingdom
Fourth graders examine the megafauna found in Australia. They create a food web using cut-outs and develop a timeline to show changes in the fauna over time. They draw their own megafauna scene for their classroom.
Curated OER
Food Webs
Students produce a newspaper covering topics related to food webs. They use print and electronic sources to gather information about specific animals. They share their information with the class.
Curated OER
Pictures Telling Stories
Learners see the importance of primary sources in the study of history, but also the limitations of relying only on primary sources of taking the money, as it were, at face value.
Curated OER
How to Celebrate the 800th Anniversary of the Mogol Empire
Learners research information on the Mongolian Empire from various readings and online videos of primary sources and create a poster for oral presentation. Students connect history with the current day, while incorporating geographical,...
Curated OER
A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE: COLUMBUS IN THE NEW WORLD
Eighth graders study the famous explorer Christopher Columbus. In this World History lesson, 8th graders analyze and compare primary and secondary sources. Students discuss as a class the accomplishments of Columbus....