National Endowment for the Humanities
Understanding the Salem Witch Trials
Students describe some of the important elements of life in Puritan New England. They create a timeline of the events of the Salem Witch Trials. They work in groups to explore the concept of multiple interpretations of history.
Curated OER
Survivors on the Ocean Ridge
High schoolers discover the uniqueness of deep sea hydrothermal vent organisms through an exploration of the NOAA Galapagos Rift Expedition. They study the genetics and evolution of a shrimp species that lives near the vents then they...
Curated OER
Traditional Uses of Wood
First graders explore properties of wood used to make cultural items and make a ring and stick game.
Curated OER
Aboriginal Peoples
Middle schoolers examine data from the 2001 Census on the Aboriginal population. They cover the topics of distribution of the Aboriginal population across the country, the three Aboriginal groups, age, and language. Students build...
Curated OER
Curiosity Drives Change: Early Pioneers' Sense of Disc
Fifth graders examine the journals of some of the earliest pioneers in Utah. They discover the attitudes of pioneer living and summarize what they have learned.
Curated OER
John Lawson's Emigration Impact: Short Essay
Students review John Lawson's writings to discover the impact they had on emigration to America. Using the writings, they analyze the influence of them and review the early settlement of the colonies. They write their own essay sharing...
Curated OER
The Great Cedar Tree
First graders explore concept of interdependence through production of the play, The Great Cedar Tree.
Curated OER
Valley of the Butterflies
First graders explore why butterfly populations in Idaho's Lapwai Valley have decreased.
Curated OER
What Are the Seasons?
First graders explore seasons and how they are part of a continuous circle.
Curated OER
Communication on the Frontier: Postcards from the Edge
Eleventh graders explore the innovative ways pioneers used to leave messages along the trail to communicate to family and friends who were to follow.
Curated OER
A Medal for Peace
Learners create a class peace medal to present to another grade/class as a symbol of friendship between the two groups of students. Then they write an explanation of what the purpose of the peace medal is and how it relates to Lewis and...
Curated OER
Black Hawk Island Hike
Students explore Wisconsin's natural and cultural history through hands-on exploration of Upham Woods. They are shown the basic paddling skills and they work in teams to paddle across the river on barge. Students describe cultural...
Curated OER
The Edge of the Lake
Second graders explore the geography of Nevada. For this map-making lesson, 2nd graders use salt dough to create a relief map of Nevada. Students label the landforms and bodies of water that are studied and specified in the lesson.
Curated OER
Native People of the Caribbean
Eleventh graders use a map and locate and define the Caribbean region and then work in groups to read the passage and timeline. The groups' reader will read the passage aloud and the recorder makes a list of why colonists used slave...
Curated OER
Lewis and Clark Expedition
Ninth graders examine the goals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and identify the present day cities, towns, rivers, and regions that are on the route of the expedition. They complete an online WebQuest, recreating the route of the...
Curated OER
Days of '49: "I've Been Toiling Hard for the Last Two And a Half Years"
Students trace the stages of gold mining in California. They discuss the life of a gold miner and how the discovery of gold influenced towns and cities in California during the 1949 Gold Rush.
Curated OER
Harding Black: Taking It To Another Level
Students complete a variety of activities related to the pottery of Harding Black and the uses of clay in San Antonio, Texas. They watch a video about the life of Harding Black, conduct a clay percolation experiment, compare and...
Curated OER
Fur Trade Economics
Learners demonstrate understanding of what the fur trade was and how it was operated, including the bartering process, by participating in a mock trade activity and assessing the value of items based on their needs and wants.
Curated OER
The Art of the Puerto Rican People
Students study Taino Art and identify their crafts and stone carvings. They read the life of Campeche as presented and discuss with their teacher the economic and political situation of Puerto Rico in the eighteenth century and how...
Curated OER
Trail of Tears
Pupils create a journal entry written from the perspective of a Cherokee, a soldier, or a person involved in the Trail of Tears.
Curated OER
Thanksgiving Turkey Napkin Holder
Studens create turkey napkin holders. They discuss how Thanksgiving originated and why we celebrate this holiday. They create their napkin holders using craft sticks, glue guns, construction paper, feathers, and glitter.
Curated OER
How is Rice Used in Food from Different Cultures?
Fifth graders examine how rice is used in different cultures. In this culture activity, 5th graders explain the similarities between dolmas and sushi, then name two different Mexican rice dishes. Students learn new vocabulary words,...
Curated OER
The New Immigrants
Students determine what lures immigrants to the Pittsburgh area. They conduct interviews to compare the experiences of new immigrants to the area to those of previous immigrants.
Curated OER
Language Families
Fourth graders identify and locate the three language families of North Carolina. They calculate the physical area covered by each language family and label them on a map.