Curated OER
The Art of Locomotion
Tenth graders examine the artistic legacy of trains by comparing the representations of trains in the painting of Turner and the photographs of Terry Evans. They write an essay, story or poem using their own observations of trains,...
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Creative Writing - Research and Letters
Here's a fresh approach that combines research, business and personal letter writing, and creative story telling. Student groups research different decades in the life of a famous Japanese astronomer. They then craft a decade fact sheet,...
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March 2, 1877: Hayes Declared Winner in Disputed Presidential Election
After reading an interesting article comparing the disputed presidential election of 1877 to a similar event in the year 2000, kids blog a response. They read the article, check out the embedded links, then respond to four related...
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Nov. 17, 1973 | Nixon Declares 'I Am Not a Crook'
Connect events of the past to events of today. Budding historians read an eight paragraph passage describing the Watergate scandal. They then connect the Nixon scandal to sex scandals of recent times. There are six critical thinking...
Digital Writing and Research Lab's – Lesson Plans
Teaching Close Reading through Short Composition/Revision
This activity may have writers evaluate short compositions, but their subjects are quite tall: great Americans. Pupils read one another's compositions and closely examine how specific phrases and diction contribute to shaping American...
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For All Time
Young scholars explore the oldest building in their community, then if any have gargoyles. They explore the date of the buildings and what types of materials were used to build the building.
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The Role and Influence of Salem's Merchants in Building Salem's Wealth and Expanding the East Indies Trade Through an Examination of Elias Hasket Derby
Fifth graders examine the role of Salem's merchants. Using the live of Elias Hasket Derby, they identify how he helped open up Salem's ports to the world and how it helped America grow as a country. Reading primary source documents, they...
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Stopping Along the Way
Learners use atlases, maps, and Web resources to plan a day trip to at least one city or point of interest that is on the way to their final destination.
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Fort Morgan
Pupils investigate how Mobile, Alabama was significant to the Confederacy during the Civil War. They analyze maps, read primary source documents, write a research paper on Civil War military technology, and explore the Fort Morgan website.
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Celebrating Independence
Students use the Internet to discover information about Independence Hall. They examine the effort to preserve the building for further generations and a history of other sights in Philadelphia.
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The Decisive Victory: Philadelphia and the Winning of the War for American Independence
High schoolers examine primary documents and apply their knowledge to describe them. For this primary document analysis lesson plan students interpret sources and evaluate roles of foreign allies.
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Eastern Europe: Passport to Understanding
Seventh graders explore Eastern Europe. They analyze data on select countries. Students prepare a short oral presentation on the country they researched. They locate their country using an interactive map.
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Preservation and the Power of Light
Students identify the effect of light on objects. In this scientific inquiry lesson plan, students use a chart to write a hypothesis about what will happen when colored construction paper is left in sunlight. Students observe and discuss...
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"The Scientist and The Prince: Two Interesting Early Pennsylvania Immigrants
Young scholars examine immigrants including why people immigrated to America and their places of origin. In this immigrants instructional activity young scholars analyze the importance of immigrants and the obstacles that they encounter.
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The Bulbs: Camas and Daffodil
Fourth graders become aware of the importance of the camas bulb to the Nez Perce people, they learn the parts of plants, and gain understanding of the interdependence of Nature. They study about the possible causes and outcomes of global...
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George Washington and the Beginnings of the French and Indian War
Students read about the causes of the French and Indian War. In this French and Indian war lesson plan, students read about the physical and human problems that lead to the war. They also learn about George Washington's role in the war.
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I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends
Eleventh graders "walk a mile" in a person's shoes who had a role in the Underground Railroad and examine the risks and complications of the Underground Railroad.
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The 1860 Election in Pennsylvania
Young scholars examine the political parties of the 1860 election and compare their platforms. In this election lesson young scholars determine the meaning of a political cartoon and predict the outcome of the 1860 election.
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Reading Comprehension: Louisiana
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read a 2-page article regarding Louisiana and respond to 10 true or false questions regarding the selection about the state.
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Spanish Colonials Encounter Quechan Culture
High schoolers use primary sources from the de Anza expedition of the 1770's to research colonial encounters with the Quechan people from Yuma Crossing, Arizona.
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Port of Entry
Students research patterns of immigration throughout American history. The focus is on the process of how immigrants came through Ellis Island. Students reflect upon the topic to develop critical thinking skills.
Indian Land Tenure Foundation
Maps and Homelands
You are never too young to learn about maps. To better understand the concept of a homeland, students work together to construct a map of their local area out of paper puzzle pieces. They'll put the maps together and then add details by...
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Philadelphia and the Constitutional Convention "Heat Up"
Young scholars explore the Constitutional Convention of 1787. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students role play the parts of delegates in a simulation of the convention.
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Analyzing the Relationship between Snowpack and River Flow
Young scholars use the Internet to research current and past snowpack levels and river gauging station readings. They determine the relationship between snowpack and river flow. They predict future river flow.