Curated OER
Lesson Plans on the Intersection of History and Literature
Finding out about "the story behind the story" can provide a greater understanding of literature and its historical and social context.
NPR
The History of America’s Weed Laws
To understand the laws regarding marijuana use in the United States, you can go all the way back to the 1800's to learn about farming hemp, or you can go back to 2018 when California became the sixth state to legalize recreational...
Curated OER
Book: Latino Economics in the United States: Job Diversity
Students, after reading Chapter 1 in the book, "Latino Economics in the United States: Job Diversity," write an essay that compares the cultural as well as the historical factors (experiences with jobs, discrimination, education, etc.)...
Curated OER
People on the Move
Students explore transportation. In this transportation lesson, students examine the Jupiter locomotive, Washingtion D.C. streetcars, the Leviathan, the Salisbury Train Station, and Route 66. Students respond to 12 questions.
Curated OER
Island of the Blue Dolphins Jigsaw
Fourth graders research three topics from the book, either Village Life, Sea Life, or San Nicholas Island. They research independently and meet in a jigsaw format to share what they learned. As group they create a poster for class...
Curated OER
Conjunto Music from South Texas
Students listen to conjunto music and identify the instrumentation. After discussing the the history of South Texas, they examine lyrics of several songs and interpret them. As extensions, students can learn to partner dance to the...
Curated OER
1920’s Questions
In this 20th century history worksheet, students respond to 50 multiple choice questions about events and significant figures of 1920's America.
Curated OER
Legends and Myths: Trickster Tales
Students work in groups to research the characteristics of various myths and legends. They read tales, illustrate them, record oral storytelling efforts and write an original folktale. Students then invite parents to a dramatic...
Curated OER
What Was It Like?
Pupils use the Internet to gather historical facts about the county in which they live. Using the information, they discover how to check it for accuracy and present their findings to the class. They write an essay about the history of...
Curated OER
California Mission Slide Show
Fourth graders research the details of a California Mission. They design a slide show to present their research.
Other
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
MALDEF offers many resources to the Mexican American community. Here anyone can learn about public policy, have access to laws regarding citizenship and equal access, and read news and events regarding the Mexican American community.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1865 1898: Chinese Immigrants and Mexican Americans
Discusses the conflict with Mexican American and Chinese groups as white settlers pushed westward in the nineteenth century. Explains what brought so many Chinese immigrants to America and the roadblocks and discrimination that they had...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us History: 1865 1898: Chinese Immigrants and Mexican Americans
Like Native Americans, Mexican Americans and Chinese immigrants suffered harsh consequences due to relentless westward expansion by whites in the nineteenth century.
Countries and Their Cultures
Countries and Their Cultures: Multicultural America: Mexican Americans
Provides an overview of the traditional culture and lifestyle of Mexican Americans. (Note: Content is not the most current.)
Digital History
Digital History: Mexican Americans
Read about the terrible treatment of Mexican American citizens and immigrants during the Hoover presidency. See how they received some help with the New Deal.
Library of Congress
Loc: Mexican Immigrants
As America grew and spilled into bordering lands, people found themselves living two cultures. LOC brings us a comprehensive site that traces the history of Mexican Americans and their culture.
Stanford University
Stanford History Education Group: Mexican Labor in the 1920s [Pdf]
[Free Registration/Login Required] Review historical documents of Mexican-Americans in the 1920's. Students will address what it was like to be a Mexican in America during this time considering working conditions, home life, etc.
Library of Congress
Loc: Immigration
A content-rich site and Library of Congress "Featured Presentation" that looks at the immigration experiences of Americans from many backgrounds and countries. Includes lesson suggestions and resources, online immigration vocabulary...
PBS
Pbs: The New Americans
This site from PBS chronicles the miniseries coming in April of 2004 entitled "The New Americans." The site documents the new American immigrants: read stories of immigrants from Argentina, China, Mexico, Hungary, Taiwan, Russia, and more.
Library of Congress
Loc: Mexican Immigration
Excellent site that examines the Mexican immigrant group beginning with early settlement in New Mexico in 1598 through to present times. The history as well as the intricate multiculturalism of this immigrant group is addressed.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Immigration in America
This site is provided for by National Public Radio. There has been some time since the 9/11 tragedy when Americans were upset with immigration laws. Where is America now? How do Americans look at immigrants and the diversity they bring...
Library of Congress
Loc: Interviews With Today's Immigrants
This site, part of a larger lesson plan about immigration from the Library of Congress, provides interviews that students had with immigrants from around the world.
Other
Ar Net: Hispanic Americans, an Under Represented Group
An excellent description of the problems facing the involvement of Hispanic-Americans in American politics. The essay covers 1948 to 1996, with a good discussion of the civil rights era.
University of Oregon
Mapping History: American History
Interactive and animated maps and timelines of historical events and time periods in American history from pre-European times until post-World War II.