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Personal Stories and Primary Sources: Conversations with Elders
Young scholars learn from their elders. In this oral and social histories lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the America in which their grandparents grew up. Young scholars conduct interviews with...
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Immigration and Oral History
Students examine immigration. In this oral and social histories lesson, students analyze primary sources to research immigration history in their community. In this year-long research project, students participate in visual and...
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Geography and Its Impact on Colonial Life
Learners interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this colonial America lesson, students conduct research to determine how geographic conditions dictated settlement patterns.
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The Grapes of Wrath: Voices from the Great Depression
Students research the Great Depression. In this Great Depression instructional activity, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the plight of migrant farm workers during the Great Depression as they read...
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New Deal Programs: Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Students research New Deal programs. In this Great Depression lesson plan, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the effects of the depression and how WPA programs and other New Deal programs impacted...
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Reading A Historical Photograph
Students examine a historical photograph to gather information and draw conclusions.
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Who Gets the Job?
Students examine the Cabinet, and match Cabinet positions with current secretaries. They evaluate the qualifications of each secretary, then develop sets of qualifications for two Cabinet positions.
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Lesson One: The Historian's Craft
Students examine a fairy tale villain (such as the wolf from the Three Little Pigs or the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wizard of Oz). Next, they complete a worksheet considering the challenges presented by historical resources.
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Copyrights
Pupils examine the copyright lines in the books they use in class. They discover how to complete and send in their own copyright request to Washington D.C. They work on their composition as well.
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What is the Role of Civil Disobedience Today?
Young scholars examine the meaning and use of civil disobedience. They decide whether civil disobedience is a viable form of protest in contemporary times after studying the acts of Rosa Parks.
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Reading Poems Aloud: Sound And Meaning
Learners consider the elements involved in reading poetry aloud. They discuss different poetic forms and how the choices a reader makes in tone, emphasis, breaths, and pauses can affect the listener's interpretation and understanding of...
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President Jefferson's Cipher: Cracking the Code
Students examine the journey out west by Lewis and Clark. Using a cipher from President Jefferson, they solve a code he gave to the explorers before setting out on their exploration. They share his message with the class and state...
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Details, Details, Details
Students review paragraph development, use of adjectives and grammar requirements. They incorporate various details in a written paragraph describing a visual image used as a writing prompt.
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The Grand Adventure of Lewis and Clark
Students take a closer look at the Lewis and Clark expedition. In this Louisiana Purchase lesson, students discover tools used by the men as they explored the land. Students also read excerpts from The Incredible Journey and America...
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Integrated Social Studies and Math Lesson
Fourth graders study the American Civil War. They read and analyze information regarding the casualties of the Civil War, fucusing on Indiana soldiers. They graph the information and then write in their reflective journals responding...
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Old Photographs: Windows to the Past
Students examine several types of old photographs and compare them to photography today. Students search for historical photographs and draw conclusions about the time period from the subject matter. Students explain how a camera...
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Frontier Life Story
Students explore American frontier life. In this history lesson, students participate in a series of activities that challenge them to discover what pioneer life was really like.
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Vocab Grabbing the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution
Students identify concrete and abstract nouns in the preamble to the Constitution, and complete Frayer Model graphic organizers using history and current events as examples of American values. In this preamble lesson plan, students use...
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Separate is Not Equal
Students use political cartoons and editorials to study Brown v. Board of Education. In this Brown v. Board of Education lesson, students read the background information on eight cartoons and editorials for a study on Brown v....
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Understanding Folklife and Folklore
Student examine the basic characteristics of folklore. In this folklore lesson, students complete activities to identify two kinds of folk, folk groups, and folklife. Students list daily activities in their home, identify folk groups...
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Thornton Wilder's Our Town: The Reader as Writer
Students read a play and create their own play using Thornton Wilder's Our Townas a resource. In this play lesson, students analyze how theatrical elements contribute to a play's meanings and effects. Students recognize differences...
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Thomas Edison, electricity and America
Students will examine Edison's application of electricity and the concept of the American Consumer Culture and what thay means. Students will evaluate how these ideas and concepts led to change.
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Presidential Controversies: Then and Today
Students explore presidential controversies. For this political cartoons lesson, students locate political cartoons that reflect presidential controversies. Students then respond to analytical questions pertaining to the cartoons they...
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Orangeburg Massacre
Students study the Orangeburg Massacre. In this social studies lesson, students discuss the Civil Rights Movement and the protest movements that took place. Students examine the events that led up to the Orangeburg Massacre at South...