National First Ladies' Library
Executive Order 9066: Japanese-American Internment
Students analyze conditions under which sections of United States Constitution are superceded, research history of Native Americans, African Americans, and Japanese Americans, and debate policy of reparations for various minority groups...
Curated OER
Teaching Night with Web Research Assignments
Learners research the Holocaust. They read the autobiography, Night, by Elie Wiesel, conduct research on a child of the Holocaust, and write an essay comparing/contrasting the life of their selected child with that of Elie Wiesel.
Curated OER
Wartime Memories: Learner Template
Here is a wonderful template for learners to use as a way to show what they know about WWII. Each slide is prepared with three to four photos of wartime memorabilia for your class to research and write about. There are nine slides total...
Center for History and New Media
The Impact of the Jim Crow Era on Education, 1877–1930s
Even though American slaves were officially emancipated in 1865, the effects of slavery perpetuated throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Middle and high schoolers learn about the ways that discrimination and the Jim Crow laws...
Echoes & Reflections
Perpetrators, Collaborators, and Bystanders
After the Holocaust, the world grappled with how to bring justice to the Nazis. But what to do with the thousands—if not millions—who allowed it to happen? Young historians consider the issues of guilt, collaboration, and responsibility...
Echoes & Reflections
Antisemitism
Propaganda and anti-semitism were linked to evil ends during the Holocaust. Using video testimony of Holocaust survivors, examples of Nazi propaganda, and discussion questions, learners explore the roots of anti-semitism in Europe and...
Curated OER
Inventions Change the World: The Enigma Machine
Third graders explore WWII by analyzing technological advances. In this invention lesson plan, 3rd graders discuss the use of the Enigma machine which decoded private German messages that communicated with U-boats. Students utilize a...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Anne Frank: Writer
Learners explore the writings of Anne Frank. They discuss how Anne did or did not change during her two years in the Secret Annex. Students take a stand on how much Anne has in common with contemporary young people.
Curated OER
The age of majority: How old is old enough?
Learners perform research on the internet in order to create an examineing of World War II. The integration of technology into research gives them access to more information.
Echoes & Reflections
The "Final Solution"
Nazi policies shifted from deportation and imprisonment to extermination of the Jewish people in death camps in the "Final Solution." Learners examine photos of artifacts, read poetry written by survivors, analyze testimony from...
Echoes & Reflections
The Ghettos
Young historians examine primary sources, including diaries, poems, and photographs, to consider the conditions in the ghettos and how they fit into the escalation of the Third Reich's plot against the Jewish people.
Echoes & Reflections
Rescuers and Non-Jewish Resistance
What does it mean to be a rescuer during the time of the Holocaust? Learners consider the role of those who resisted the Nazi invasions, including hiding Jewish people, throughout Europe. Activities include listening to the testimony of...
Echoes & Reflections
Jewish Resistance
Resistance to the Holocaust took on many forms. Learners explore the passive and active resistance of Jewish people who continued their practices and observances, as well as organized resistance against the evils of the Nazis. An...
Curated OER
DINNER ON THE HOMEFRONT
Students, after analyzing how World War II affected life at home, plan a balanced meal on rationed food. They assess the experiences of Mainers on the home front during the war and how rationing food helped the war effort. In addition,...
Curated OER
A Peaceful World
Students investigate children's' rights. They examine what the rights mean, how they are violate and what actions students can take to protect those rights. They read and discuss a poem before investigating the United Nations and...
Scholastic
Dear Miss Breed
This compelling plan based on the letters in the book Dear Miss Breed engages readers in learning what it was like for Japanese Americans following the attacks at Pearl Harbor. After reading the letters, young scholars will partake in...
Curated OER
Bookworm's Delight Challenge
In this books instructional activity, students answer multiple choice questions about popular children's books. Students complete 10 questions.
Curated OER
Theodor Seuss Geisel Crossword
In this Dr. Seuss crossword puzzle worksheet, learners use the 8 clues to determine the words and names that fill in the blanks to appropriately complete the word puzzle pertaining to the children's author.
Curated OER
Steam train reunited British Schindler with Jewish children he rescued from Nazis
Ninth graders explore the reunion of a man with survivors from the Holocaust. In this Holocaust lesson, 9th graders read an article and answer guided reading questions. Students write a story using the vocabulary from the story.
Curated OER
Leaving Things Behind
In this World War II worksheet, 10th graders read about life in a Japanese internment camp. Students give personal response and opinions in 5 short answer questions.
Reed Novel Studies
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas Film Study
According to John Betjeman, "Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows." With The Boy in the Striped Pajamas film study, scholars work in small groups to discuss the quote and other...
Penguin Books
An Educator's Guide to The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages
A lot of secrecy shrouded the creation of the atomic bomb. Readers uncover some of that secrecy using an educator's guide for the novel The Green Glass Sea. Three weeks of lesson plans feature discussion questions and reading...
Curated OER
What does the UN do for children?
Students explore the concept of drawing up a convention on pupil rights. Students encounter the background to the United Nations Children's Summit. Students review why it's hard to draft and enforce conventions.
Curated OER
Doubles: Japan and America's Intercultural Children
Students experience issues of intercultural children born as a result of the Occupation of Japan by American soldiers. They reflect on how these experiences and issues might be relevant to our own lives. Task cars are available to print...