Curated OER
Cold War Conflict in Vietnam: The Vietnam-Era Presidency
Comparing and evaluating various media types is a great way to build critical analysis skills. Learners read about the Vietnam era presidency, specifically the foreign policy established by Johnson and Nixon. Then they compare several...
Curated OER
From Mercantilism to Adam Smith: The Evolution of the Modern Capitalist System
Useful for history or economics classes, this presentation details the characteristics of mercantilism and its evolution into modern-day capitalism. The slides detail Adam's Smith criticism of mercantilism and how, rather than an...
Curated OER
The Treaty of Versailles: June 1919
There were four key players involved with the Treaty of Versailles. Present information and critical thinking questions regarding Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd-George, Georges Clemenceau, and Vittorio Orlando. Included also are lists of...
Curated OER
American Government
Challenge your students with this lesson plan on American government! Learners discuss the three branches of government and its responsilbities, and then go on to more complex critical-thinking activities. Students interview members of...
Curated OER
The Arab-Israeli Conflict
Provide your class with a context and series of events that has led to the conflict in the Middle East. They read 4 separate passages and answer 1 critical thinking question for each. Four more questions are posed at the bottom of the...
Curated OER
World Oil Reserves: Assignment
Understanding and analyzing data is a critical skill. Included here are three worksheets a list of countries with the largest oil reserves, a graph of the same, and an assignment. The class uses their data to create a bar chart then...
Curated OER
The Ottoman Empire 1453-1918
This presentation begins with the question, "How did the Ottoman Empire become so powerful?" While that question isn't directly answered, upper graders can consider the key facts that are provided and engage in a class discussion. Rich...
Curated OER
The Economienda System
Explore the Economienda System common in Latin America during the 1700s. The class will read the included text, answer 3 critical-thinking questions, and fill out a pie chart showing the demographics of the time. They will learn about...
Curated OER
Primary Source Activity: Jose Marti
Analyze a primary source document "Our America" which depicts a Spanish-American point of view. The class answers 3 critical-thinking questions based on the reading and create a time line of Cuba's struggle for independence.
Curated OER
Geography Application: The Cuban Missile Crisis
A complete activity! The class reads the provided text, then answers the 7 critical-thinking questions. Topics covered are interpreting informational text, reading comprehension, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and US Policy.
Curated OER
The Declaration of Pillnitz (1791)
Primary source documents are wonderful because they provide a real context for historical events. Here is an expert from The Declaration of Pillnitz (1791) for your readers to examine. They consider the passage then use it to answer...
Curated OER
Focus on Economic Data: US Real GDP Growth, August 26, 2011
Young economists answer a series of critical thinking questions as they analyze real data that shows GDP Growth. They examine the provided charts, read through the background information, and discuss changes that occurred in the third...
Curated OER
In Legal Limbo
Newspapers are great learning tools. They act as a conduit for current events, reading comprehension, and critical thinking. Here, pupils read a New York Times article regarding US immigration law under the Obama administration and...
Curated OER
Byzantine Art: 5th century to 1453 AD
Art and architecture are great ways to help define historical periods and cultural norms. Take a critical look at the art of the Byzantine period as seen under Justinian rule. Iconography, vocabulary, religious, and political concepts...
Curated OER
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt
It's fun to learn about an interesting figure. Share the youth, career, presidency, and conservationism of Theodore Roosevelt with your class. Slides provides very simple text alongside wonderful images to tell the story of a charismatic...
The New York Times
Looking for Answers: Making Sense of the Boston Marathon Bombing
How should America respond to acts of domestic terrorism? What motivates or prompts a terrorist attack? After reading an opinion piece on the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, your learners will critically analyze factors that could have...
University of North Carolina
Roles & Powers of the President
Here is a fantastic, comprehensive resource on the roles and powers assigned to the president of the United States. It includes several critical thinking exercises and engaging activities, from cartoon analysis and the opportunity to...
Humanities Texas
Primary Source Worksheet: Abraham Lincoln, Letter to Horace Greeley
Through close analysis of a primary source document and discussion questions, learners gain great insight into how Abraham Lincoln viewed his duties as president of the United States, as well as his response to those who criticized...
Mr. Roughton
Reformation Dossiers
If you were living during the Reformation and had to choose between arresting Henry VIII, Pope Leo X, or the Grand Inquisitor of the Catholic Church, who would you pick? This engaging assignment will have your young historians critically...
Pearson Longman
Emotions Reading
Explore the many types of feelings and how people express them with a lesson compiled of kid-friendly activities that spark critical thinking, self-reflection, and reinforce language and writing skills. Scholars delve into the variety of...
While They Watched
Teaching the Holocaust
What is the difference between prejudice and discrimination? Between collaborators and bystanders? Guilt and responsibility? Prompt learners to think critically about a very complex and textured topic with an innovative packet of materials.
PBS
Myth of the West: Kit Carson to the Rescue
There's nothing like the Wild Wild West! Scholars investigate the American Frontier through the eyes of Kit Carson. To complete the first installment of a three-part series, they use presentations, a short video, and primary and...
Population Connection
The Carbon Crunch
Carbon is in the air; should we care? Teach the class why it is important to pay attention to carbon levels and how the world population and various countries across the globe affect the carbon levels in the atmosphere. High schoolers...
Reading Through History
Anti-Federalist Paper No. 47
The path to a more perfect union was rockier than most history books would lead you to believe. Young historians read “Antifederalist No. 47,” written by James Madison (under the pen name “Centinel”), which sharply criticizes the...