National First Ladies' Library
The Civil War Revisited
Students move beyond the generals and battles approach to the Civil War and explore, instead, the issues, ideals, and outcomes of the great conflict that left a president dead, a region destitute, and a nation in shambles.
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Political Parties, Platforms, and Planks
Ninth graders examine the origins and functions of political parties. In this American Government lesson, 9th graders create a party platform to address political issues that are likely to arise during a national election. Students...
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Just how broken is the Senate?
Twelfth graders examine the role of the Senate in the United States. In this American Government lesson plan, 12th graders read various articles and answer questions to these articles. Students write a letter to their Senator on a...
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The Greatest Show on Earth: Then and Now
Students explore the history of the circus in the United States. They explore the life of John Bill Ricketts, founder of the first circus. Students compare Ricketts' first circus to the modern circus.
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Segregated Soldiers
Fifth graders explore the role of African American troops in World War I. In this World War I lesson, 5th graders analyze a collection of letters from an African American soldier. Students create memorials to the men who fought in the...
Bette Brooks
"No Irish Need Apply..."
Students describe conditions that led to massive immigration from Ireland in the 1840s, and compare response of native-born Americans to Irish immigration with responses to Mexican immigration today.
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A House Dividing: The Growing Crisis of Sectionalism in Antebellum America
Students trace the development of sectionalism in the United States. They explore slavery, freedom and the Constitution. Students identify influential opponents and defenders of American slavery. They explain different solutions to...
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Society in the 1950s (5)
In this online interactive American history worksheet, students respond to 8 matching questions regarding 1950's America. Students may check their answers immediately.
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The Palmer "Red Raids"
Students explore how Americans reacted to communism. In this Red Scare instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of the Palmer "Red Raids" and its implications. Students respond...
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Benjamin Franklin
In this early American history worksheet, learners respond to 9 essay and short answer questions about the life and accomplishments of Benjamin Franklin.
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Flag Day Alphabet Activity
For this Flag Day worksheet, students read 9 words pertaining to the history of the American flag. Students put the words in alphabetical order. Some words begin with the same letter.
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World War II
Students analyze primary sources (photographs) for evidence of American military technology during WWII. They debate the use of the Atomic Bomb. Students view the Rosenthal image. They discuss the image in detail.
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North and South
Young scholars study the Civil War and the changes it brought to our country. They examine some of Robert E. Lee's accomplishments and the contributions he made as president to Washington and Lee University. They make a map showing which...
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Freedmen & Jim Crow
In this United States history activity, students utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions about the African American experience following the Civil War. A short answer question is included as...
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Using Current Events to Understand Elections
Eleventh graders explore the the major phases of the electoral process for president. For this US Government lesson, 11th graders compare and contrast the delegate system of nomination and the electoral college.
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Upton Sinclair's The Jungle: Muckraking the Meat-Packing Industry
Students explore muckraking. In this American history instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the details of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle. Students respond to discussion questions pertaining...
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The Jamestown Colonies
In this colonial American worksheet, students read a 1-page selection about the Jamestown Colony and then respond to 5 short answer questions about the selection.
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The Rise of Big Business & the Labor Movement (5)
In this online interactive American history worksheet, students answer 13 fill in the blank questions regarding the rise of big business and the labor movement. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
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How Women Won the Right to Vote
Students consider how women gained the right to vote in America. In this suffrage lesson, students investigate major events of the suffrage movement and conduct research. Students also role play petitioning to President Wilson to get the...
National First Ladies' Library
Building a Federal Town: Washington, DC
Young scholars create a timeline of the history of Washington, D.C. from 1787 to 1879. Using the internet, they read specified articles about the design of the capital and city of Washington DC. Young scholars write a newspaper article...
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See Our Collection
First graders classify plants and animals based on their characteristics using examples from the westward journey of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery.
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Weapons of War
Learners discuss how American and Great Britian attacked Afghanistan after September 11. They analyze different types of aircraft, missiles, and munitiions used in the attacks in Afghanistan.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Face Time
In this historical events worksheet, students examine caricatures of George W. Bush throughout his career and respond to 2 talking point questions.
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Resolving Kennedy's Legacy
Eleventh graders investigate the medical condition that plagued John F. Kennedy throughout his life. In this US History lesson, 11th graders read and analyze uncovered documents in relation to Kennedy. Students write a report on John...