Curated OER
First Grade American Civilization: February
First graders examine and discuss the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere, Redcoats, Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence. They conduct an experiment done by Benjamin Franklin, solve a word puzzle written in code by Ben...
Curated OER
The Statue of Liberty: The Meaning and Use of a National Symbol
Engage your class in a series of activities, each related to the use or analysis of symbols used to convey patriotic or national concepts. They identify different national symbols and explain their meanings, discussing the importance of...
National Endowment for the Humanities
"An Expression of the American Mind": Understanding the Declaration of Independence
Learners research the structure of the Declaration: introduction, main political/philosophical ideas, grievances and assertion of sovereignty. They analyze the ideological/political origins of the ideas in the Declaration. Students...
Curated OER
World War II: Internment in Hawaii
Students examine world history by writing an essay in class. In this World War II lesson, students identify the attack on Pearl Harbor, the response from the U.S and the effect it had on Japanese-Americans. Students define Japanese...
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
Why Did Some Colonial Virginians Seek Independence?
To understand the reasonings of those colonials who sought independence from England, young historians are divided into content groups that examine documents related to either the Boston Tea Party, the Yorktown Tea Party, Tea Overboard,...
Curated OER
A Famous Signature
Young scholars study important historical figures. In this United States history lesson, students trace the signature of John Hancock using cotton swabs, glitter, and various art supplies after discussing the historical significance of...
Curated OER
The Constitutional Convention: Four Founding Fathers You May Never Have Met
Learners read biographies of their assigned Founding Father. They present an oral argument that their assignee deserves to be better known by making connections between regional politics and postions defined by character.
Curated OER
Differing Expectations
Students examine the expectations that colonists had for lives prior to the revolution. In this colonial America instructional activity, students read primary documents that feature the perceptions of white men and minorities during the...
Curated OER
Black History Web Design
Each student or student team creates a web page. Students research and make decisions for content of the page. Each web page should contain at least six images and six links, as well as any necessary commentary. Students indicate on the...
Curated OER
Will the Real Samuel Adams Please Stand Up
Students participate in a "To Tell The Truth" game show activity in order to determine the role of Sam Adams in the Revolutionary events that took place in the Boston area. They ask questions of three students posing as Sam Adams to...
Curated OER
What Made George Washington a Good Military Leader? What Are the Qualities of a Good Military Leader?
Students examine the military leadership of George Washington. In this military leadership lesson, students use Internet and print resources to research Washington's military experience and his successful military campaigns. Students...
Curated OER
Keeping Us in Stitches Activity: Appliqué Bedcover Design
High schoolers explore patriotic and classical motifs in applique design and technique. A bedcover or quilt is produced using appropriate symmetry, color,proportion and composition.
Curated OER
Land That We Love
Young scholars perform "Land that We Love" using correct posture, correct rhythms, and accurate pitches. Emphasis is also placed on analyzing the purpose and meaning of patriotic songs. Students correctly identify and perform repeats and...
Elizabeth Murray Project
Colonial Women During the Revolution
Young researchers use the Internet or books to find out about colonial women during the American Revolution. They organize information in a graphic to demonstrate their understanding of the research they gathered before writing a...
The Alamo
A Lesson in Citizenship
What does it mean to be an American citizen? Lieutenant Colonel Commander William Barret Travis believed that it meant honor to country first—even above one's own life. Middle and high schoolers read his final letters from the Alamo that...
Chicago Historical Society
Are We the People?
Taking on the roles of a fiery Boston patriot, a Philadelphia merchant's wife, and a prominent abolitionist, your young historians will consider the reactions of these early Americans to the creation of the Declaration of Independence,...
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
Tea Overboard
While less well known than the event in Boston, the Yorktown Tea Party was equally decisive in turning community sentiment against Great Britain. To gain an understanding of why the colonists objected to the Tea Act, young historians...
Curated OER
Sunny Symbols
After listening to a series of stories about signs and symbols associated with the United States, pupils discuss the importance of the sun in Native American legends and as a representation of New Mexico. As part of this exploration,...
Curated OER
Making Cents of Independence
Students explore the causes and major events of the Texan and American revolutions. Comparisons and contrasts are made between the two revolutionary experiences and applied to the symbolism used on the Texas State quarter.
Curated OER
Faces of the Revolution
Fifth graders investigate the important figures of the American Revolution. In this American Revolution lesson plan, 5th graders outline the important events of the war and complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
The Renewed Glory of Old Glory
Students investigate how increased patriotism as a reaction to national crisis can serve as both a uniting and a dividing force.
Curated OER
Wake Up King George!
Fourth graders research the conflict between the American colonies and England and write about it. In this America verses England lesson plan, 4th graders read books, watch videos, and have class discussions about this time in history...
Curated OER
Historical Lessons on Wartime and Race Relations
Pupils identify perceptions towards Asians widely held by the American public through the analysis of political cartoons from the 1940's. They recognize the ramifications of such perceptions on Asian American and Arab American.
Curated OER
A Right to Bear Arms - One Patriot's View
Students research Samuel Adams' role in the crafting of the Second Amendment. They consider how Adams' views evolved with time and write a one-page response linking their research to current events.