Facing History and Ourselves
Insights on Democracy from South Africa
As part of their study of democracy, high schoolers listen to a podcast featuring two South African educators and their efforts to support the process of transforming the nation from apartheid rule into a democracy. Learners also read...
Livaudais-Baker English Classroom
Heart of Darkness Introduction
Heart of Darkness is not an easy read, both because of the subject matter and Conrad's Impressionistic style. A 20-slide presentation introduces readers to Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness. The presentation begins with a brief review of...
Curated OER
Community & Architecture
Young scholars investigate the Bamum people of Cameroon and the use of symbols in African societies. They read a handout, and design a palace using African symbols, presenting and describing their design to the class.
Curated OER
The Colonial Legacy of Sierra Leone (W. Africa)
Young scholars investigate an in-depth study of civil strife in a former British colony fueled by 'conflict' diamonds. They examine how the violence and civil strife rampant in a particular West African nation has a lot to do with its...
Curated OER
Colonialism in South Africa/Apartheid
Learners analyze the effects of colonization. They explore the role of nationalism as a force opposed to colonialism. Students identify the important figures and events of the apartheid era.
Center for History Education
Should the Colonists Have Revolted Against Great Britain?
Should the Americans have taken the plunge and revolted against Great Britain? Using documents, including the famed Common Sense and a Loyalist response, pupils conduct a lengthy investigation of the question. The interesting resource...
Carolina K-12
“Stealing a Little Freedom”: Slave Runaways in North Carolina
As part of a study of slavery during the US colonial period, class members investigate why enslaved people ran away, the risks inherent in escaping, and the methods used to locate them.
Curated OER
European Christians in Africa
In this European colonialism worksheet, students read 5 quotes regarding the role of missionaries in Africa. Students then respond to 5 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Slavery in Virginia
Fourth graders assess primary sources to analyze the effects plantation life and slavery had on Colonial Virginia. They study the issues of slavery, rural life, movements, colonization and revolution. Each student makes predictions,...
Curated OER
Africa 1500-present: The Big Picture
In this African history study guide worksheet, students read a brief overview pertaining to the history of Africa from 1500 to the present.
Curated OER
Questions to “Drawing the Color Line”
In this African American history worksheet, learners watch "Drawing the Color Line" and then respond to 6 short answer questions about slavery.
Curated OER
Examining Passenger Lists Lesson Plan
Learners learn about the colonists that settled in the New World. For this famous explorers lesson, students learn about famous explorers and how they used to keep diaries about their travels. Learners read passenger lists from ships...
Curated OER
Comparison of Colonial Regions in British North America
Students compare and contrast the colonies in British North America. As a class, they brainstorm a list of people, places and ideas associated with the Colonial Era. They discover the relationships and interactions between the...
Curated OER
Life on Two Colonial Plantations in South Carolina
Fourth graders compare two colonial plantations. In this South Carolina history instructional activity, 4th graders compare the Drayton Hill plantation of Charleston Co. to the Walnut Grove Plantation of Spartanburg Co. This lesson plan...
Curated OER
Labor Needs in Colonial America
Students examine the labor needs in colonial America. Using primary and secondary resources, they explore the major events and life in the United States during colonial times. They complete a chart listing the pros and cons of a slave...
Curated OER
Africa Review
Seventh graders trace the major events in African history. In this social studies lesson students, create a flowchart depicting the things they learned during this lesson. Students understand the chronology of major events that took...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Slavery and the American Founding: The "Inconsistency Not to Be Excused"
High schoolers examine slavery in the revolutionary and colonial eras of the United States. In this slavery lesson, students investigate the presence of slavery in early America, the language of the Constitution, and the intent of the...
Curated OER
Jamestown: A Brief History
Eighth graders investigate the history of the United States by researching Jamestown. For this archaeological lesson, 8th graders attend a field trip to historical Jamestown in Virgina to discover key figures that formed our country....
Polk Bros Foundation
Topic Report Learning Organizer
If you'd like to quickly access a simple graphic organizer designed for a class to divide and conquer a larger subject, then check out this resource. Assign class members to study a specific topic within a historical theme or event, and...
National Endowment for the Humanities
A “New English” in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”: A Common Core Exemplar
To examine the “New English” Chinua Achebe uses in Things Fall Apart, readers complete a series of worksheets that ask them to examine similes, proverbs, and African folktales contained in the novel. Individuals explain the meaning...
National Endowment for the Humanities
David Walker vs. John Day: Two Nineteenth-Century Free Black Men
What was the most beneficial policy for nineteenth-century African Americans: to stay in the United States and work for freedom, or to immigrate to a new place and build a society elsewhere? Your young historians will construct an...
Benjamin Banneker Association
Celebrate Benjamin Banneker
Inventor, astronomer, surveyor, mathematician, clock maker. Learners celebrate the life of Benjamin Banneker by building creative analog clocks, making scale models, and solving problems related to surveying. The activities model the...
Curated OER
Slavery and Empire 1440 - 1770
Learners reflect on the events that led up to slavery in the early years of North America. For this United States History lesson, students read excerpts from the book "Out of Many," then gather in small groups to answer specific...
Curated OER
South Carolina: Loyalist or Patriot?
Eighth graders examine the battle waged in South Carolina over the American Revolution. For this American Revolution lesson, 8th graders analyze primary sources as they determine how the Loyalists and Patriots chose sides in the war.