DocsTeach
Evaluating Perspectives on Westward Expansion
Although popular culture tells the story of the American West simplistically, its reality is far more complex. Native American tribes—while already on the land—didn't have the same interests, and conflicts between white settlers and...
DocsTeach
Patent Analysis: Thomas Edison's Lightbulb
Watch lightbulbs go off in learners' heads as they look at a patent for Thomas Edison's most famous invention. After examining the light bulb patent, young historians speculate on how the invention changed life in the 1880s and its...
DocsTeach
Patent Analysis: Alexander Graham Bell's Telephone
Believe it or not, the plugs and wires on Alexander Graham Bell's patent application for telegraph improvements has a direct connection to devices today. Young historians examine the fine details of the patent application. After they...
DocsTeach
Patent Analysis: J.W. Davis and Levi Strauss's Fastening Pocket Openings
Commonplace today, the zipper and button construction of blue jeans was a major innovation. Using the patent for the J.W. Davis and Levi Strauss innovation, individuals comb an image of the fly for clues. Afterward, they discuss its...
DocsTeach
Patent Analysis: Joseph Glidden's Barbed Wire
Barbed wire may have made cattle farming easier, but it brought to an end the free-roaming days of the plains. No longer could Native American groups continue their nomadic lifestyle, and the days of cowboys herding large groups of...
US House of Representatives
Keeping the Faith: African Americans Return to Congress, 1929–1970
The third lesson in a unit that traces the history of African Americans serving in the US Congress examines the period from 1929 through 1970. After reading a contextual essay that details the few African Americans elected to Congress...
Curated OER
Governance
Third graders participate in decision-making situations. In this social studies lesson students make connections between rules and laws and the purposes for those rules and laws. Students use critical and creative thinking skills to...
Curated OER
Women in office
Young scholars examine women holding political office. In this critical inquiry lesson, students read an article then design a series of interview questions that they think will identify a good candidate for office. They then interview a...
Curated OER
Slaves, the Labor Force, and the Economy
Students examine critical role that slaves, freemen, and plebeians played in the Roman Empire. They complete creative writing that addresses how the Roman class system and the use of slavery contributed to the downfall of the Roman Empire.
Curated OER
Ancient Egypt
Seventh graders examine the cultural expressions, cultural structures, and basic needs of the ancient Egyptians. They explore Egyptian religion, government, and daily lives of the various classes and how the geographical, social, and...
Curated OER
Government Lesson Plan: Lesson Plan 2
Students explore the structure and powers of the federal government. They assess the validity of recent criticisms of each branch of the federal government and create pyramid posters which simulate the structure of government.
Curated OER
Lena Horne: Race and the American Artist
Young scholars examine how race played a critical role in Lena Horne's life. They conduct Internet research, participate in a class debate, write a letter, and create a presentation based on their Internet research.
Stanford University
Sedition in World War I
Students examine the critics of the First World War. In World War I instructional activity, students free write about patriotism and determine its meaning. After watching a video students discuss patriotism and opposition to the war....
Curated OER
Storytellers: The Dixie Chicks
Learners explore an important moment in the course of American History through critical listening. Students analyze the lyrics of one work by the Dixie Chicks. Learners have a better understanding of the way music can mirror social...
Curated OER
Population Vs Consumption: Which is a Bigger Problem for the Environment & Who is Getting the Lion's Share of the World's Resources?
Students develop critical thinking and awareness about the complexity of natural resource use, wealth distribution, population densities, poverty, and the environment. They think about people living in different parts of the world and...
Curated OER
Philanthropic Literature Lesson 1: The Lonely Fish
Students investigate the concepts of sharing and good citizenship, and how they contribute to a peaceful society. They work on problem solving and critical thinking skills after listening to Marcus Pfister's, The Rainbow Fish.
Curated OER
Thematic Unit: Beginning Holocaust Studies
Fifth graders discuss concepts of diversity, culture, and prejudice, gain understanding of harm caused by prejudice, and demonstrate ability to think critically and a desire to act morally.
Curated OER
You Are Smarter Than The Ads
Fourth graders examine advertising techniques and create original designs for advertisements in this three day, 4th grade art/social studies instructional activity. The instructional activity includes assessment ideas, resource...
Curated OER
Growing on My Own, Kids on the Grow
Students participate in an after school program that promotes critical thinking, concern for others, recognizing differences, accepting differences, self-motivation and personal safety. They cover how kids develop, expressing different...
Curated OER
The Whole World is Watching: Iran, 2009
Students study the impact of social media. In this Iranian election lesson plan, students examine the outcome of the 2009 election and the public protests that followed it. Students determine how citizen journalism informed people around...
Curated OER
Old Hickories
Students analyze historical events to develop a historical perspective. For this critical analysis lesson, students read excerpts, primary sources and other materials in order to understand the Native American Removal that occurred...
Curated OER
Follow the Leaders
Students research current world political leaders, as well as the opinions of their supporters and critics, in order to create a "Present Political Leaders Hall of Fame" display for the classroom.
Curated OER
Cartoons in the Classroom: Drawn to Freedom
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons that feature the free exchange of ideas and government criticism. Students then respond to 2 short answer questions.
Curated OER
The Salt of Life
Students identify and describe significant historical periods and patterns of change within and across cultures, such as the development of ancient cultures and civilizations, the rise of nation states, and social, economic, and...