Center for History Education
Where Did Thomas Jefferson Stand on the Issue of Slavery?
Thomas Jefferson was a complicated man with a complex legacy. Middle schoolers examine a series of primary source documents to gather evidence for an essay in which they answer where Jefferson stood on the issue of slavery.
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Portrait of a Place, Portrait of a Family
Students act out stories based on lives of famous people from Harlem. In this memoirs lesson, students compare the life of the people in Harlem in 1930 to the people of today. Students explore how "home" is different for different...
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What is a Family?
Students explore how Canadian families have evolved over time. In this census results lesson plan, students examine the factors that contribute to changing family and household structures. Students also create written and illustrated...
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Understanding Presidential History
Students research to find the qualifications necessary to be President of the U.S. In this presidential qualification lesson, students research their family roots to see if they could qualify to be President. Students create a graph to...
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Comparing Family Photos
Fourth graders bring in a family photo from home. They compare their photo to the Rawding family photo. Students share their conclusions orally. They use Venn Diagrams to organize their thoughts and observations.
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African American Poetry: Family and Traditions
Students are introduced to the elements of African-American poetry. As a class, they are read different types of poems to discover there are different styles of poems and practice rhyming words. They share information on their family...
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Real-Life History
Students collect artifacts which are part of their family/community history. They gather at home and share in the classroom at a specified time when extra care and supervision might be provided.
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Where Will I Go From Here?
Students research the various cultures in Colonial America. In this American history activity, students analyze and complie the research they find presenting what they have found into a short presentation.
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Literature for Lesson 2 - The UnderGround Railroad
Students examine the use of the Underground Railroad. In this Underground Railroad lesson plan, students determine the meaning of the word slavery. They study the Underground Railroad through the use of literature and Internet websites....
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History of the X-Ray
Seventh graders discuss the history of the x-ray machine. In this social science lesson, 7th graders understand how a x-ray machine works. Students recognize that there have been many improvements to the x-ray machine over the...
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History: Napoleon Becomes a Man of Destiny
Students analyze the forces that shape character development, including the role of historical events. Students contrast the ethos of the Ancient Regime with the new ideals awakened by the French Revolution.
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Immigration and Ellis Island
Fourth graders explore family histories. In this social studies lesson, 4th graders identify the countries from which their ancestors came and locate them on a map. Students discuss the role that Ellis Island played in immigration in the...
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Interpreting Photos Checklist
For this interpreting photos checklist worksheet, students use the checklist to self-evaluate their presentation on the family photograph. The checklist is also used by the student's peers and teacher.
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Sworn to Serve
Seventh graders explore the structure of the feudal system. In this world history lesson, 7th graders examine medieval history as they collaborate to prepare for a small group presentations regarding the feudal system.
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Family Stories and Personal Narratives
Fourth graders read various stories in their literature books about families. Individually, they make a timeline showing the most important events in their lives. They bring in one artifact from their lives and write a paper about it...
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John Brown Lesson Plan
Students investigate John Brown. In this U.S. history slavery lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation about John Brown. Students discuss the North's and South's reaction to John Brown's raid, and determine whether...
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Strawberry Girl: Lesson 5
Students read the book Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski. In this literature lesson plan, students read chapters 8-15 and complete journal entries. They look at how life was in the 1890's.
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Opinionnaire Worksheet -- Folk and Family Heroes
In this opinion learning exercise, students think about heroes they know and reveal what they think about them by marking responses to the questions and completing the statements.
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The Affects of Environment on Native American Culture
Young scholars research the culture of the Native Americans. In this U.S. History lesson, students are given the major geological areas where the Indians lived prior to the arrival of the Europeans, then they create a notebook that...
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Eisenhower: The Contentious 1950s
Students explore 1950's America. In this American history lesson, students research the McCarthy hearings, Civil Rights, war fatigue, and economic issues of the decades. Students respond to discussion questions about topics.
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Off to Work We Go!
Students create a book about The Great Depression in West Virginia. In this West Virginia history lesson, students visit the West Virginia State Museum, answer questions about West Virginia history, and create a book entitled...
Museum of Tolerance
Where Do Our Families Come From?
After a grand conversation about immigration to the United States, scholars interview a family member to learn about their journey to America. They then take their new-found knowledge and apply their findings to tracking their family...
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
My Life—My Relationships
How can you tell if your relationship is healthy or unhealthy? When can consent be withdrawn in a sexual encounter? Discuss important aspects of healthy relationships with high schoolers with a lesson plan that includes talk about...
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
A Leadership Chart
It's important for children to understand how they fit into their local or social community. They discuss leadership and who exemplifies a leader in their family, community, and school. Each child will create a quilt square by...