Curated OER
Ernest Hemingway: Inside Out
Introduce class members to basic biographical information about Ernest Hemingway. Groups read three brief paragraphs, and then respond to fact-based questions using material drawn from the readings. The exercise would work well with...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
What Brought Settlers to the Midwest?
Drawn by promises of fertile land, thousands of settlers poured West because of the Homestead Act of 1862. By examining images of the ads that drew them westward, learners consider the motivations for movement. They also consider how the...
Curated OER
Bill Robinson: Mr. Bojangles
Mr. Bojangles was born just after slavery was abolished and became one of the most beloved entertainers of his time. Explore key vocabulary, the life of an African-American entertainer, and the impact of the Harlem Renaissance on...
Curated OER
Demonstrating an Understanding the Evolution of Democracy in the United States
Students explore how democracy in the United States changed and evolved from its birth to the present. They participate in a mock testing environment. Students write a multi-tasked essay on American government and politics.
Curated OER
What Sharing Really Means
Students examine the meaning of generosity and how sharing can be a cultural trait. In this cultural trait instructional activity, students read a text about the culture of generosity in Africa. Students complete a discussion activity...
Curated OER
United States Quiz Two
In this United States learning exercise, students answer short answer questions about which political party the Presidents belonged to and geography of the country. Students answer 20 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Slave Narratives
Students use a database to find and read examples of slave narratives. In groups, they read the various narratives and discuss their feelings about them. They also research the time period in which the narratives were written to end...
Curated OER
The Underground Railroad
In this American history learning exercise, students read a selection about the Underground Railroad and answer 3 multiple choice, 3 true / false and 2 fill in the blank questions.
Curated OER
Stowe's Reviewers
Young scholars read, evaluate and respond to both positive and negative reviews of Harriet Beecher Stow's, Uncle Tom's Cabin.
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Headin' West! The Life of a Pioneer
Students explore the life of a pioneer and the relationship between the concept of Manifest Destiny and pioneering. Students complete activities, maps, writing and reading to experience pioneer life. Handouts and worksheets are included...
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To Compromise or Not to Compromise: The Missouri Question
Students evaluate the fairness of the Missouri Compromise. They read the Missouri Compromise and discuss how it reflected the North-South, anti-slavery and pro-slavery division in the country. They work in groups to debate the Missouri...
Curated OER
Prohibition Then; MADD Today
Students examine consumer traits. For this economics lesson, students examine the separate histories of Prohibition and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Students participate in a classroom simulation to discover how the movements dictated...
Curated OER
Lesson Plan: The Black Press
Students examine the history of the black press. In this media awareness lesson, students watch videos and conduct research regarding the history of the black press in America. Students explore media careers as they read provided...
Curated OER
The Slave Market: Slavery, Not Just a Southern Institution
Eleventh graders examine how slavery was related to the economic development of New York. For this American History lesson, 11th graders analyze the primary and secondary sources on the New York Slave Market. Students create a revised...
Curated OER
The Slave Market: Not Just a Southern Institution
Fourth graders analyze the existence of slavery in the North. In this slavery lesson, 4th graders research primary and secondary sources regarding Dutch colonial slavery in New York. Students consider how archeology made it possible to...
Curated OER
Comprehending The Gettysburg Address
In this Gettysburg Address worksheet, students read passages from the Gettysburg Address, identify bold words, and answer short answer questions. Students complete 5 problems.
Curated OER
Gettysburg Address Lesson Plans
Gettysburg Address lesson plans can show how Lincoln’s historic speech helped to unite the nation.
Curated OER
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words: Public Views of Lincoln
Learners write a letter in the voice of Abraham Lincoln. In this history lesson, students interpret the way the public viewed Lincoln during various times by examining political cartoons and images. Learners write a letter in the voice...
Curated OER
This Guilty Land
Middle schoolers investigate the actions and motives of John Brown. In this abolition instructional activity, students discover details about Brown's background as a free-state and abolition supporter. Middle schoolers discuss his role...
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The Battle of Corydon
Fourth graders study the Battle of Corydon, its military leaders, and its influence on the town. In this Battle of Corydon lesson, 4th graders develop vocabulary needed to complete the lesson, listen as the teacher reads The Battle of...
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Where Do We Go From Here?
Eighth graders examine the impact of Reconstruction on South Carolina. In this Reconstruction lesson, 8th graders use primary documents to research sharecropping and freedman's contracts in the agricultural South following the end of...
Curated OER
Bob Dylan: No Direction Home
Students hold panel discussions on selected topics about the 1960s and their impact on modern-day events. As visual reinforcement, they watch the film about Bob Dylan and research the music of the period as well as his musical...
Curated OER
Creating A Memorial Day Poster Poem
In this activity, students create a Memorial Day word web and use it to create a poem about Memorial Day. They can write the poem and illustrate it as a poster.
Curated OER
African-American Iowans: History, contributions & Accomplishments.
Young scholars explore lives of African-Americans in Iowa. Students will examine biographies and discuss perspectives of African-Americans. They will then create posters illustrating elements of those lives finally, putting on a five act...