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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rendezvous at Promontory: A New Look at the Golden Spike Ceremony

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students complete a variety of activities as they examine the historical significance of the Transcontinental Railroad and the Golden Spike Ceremony in Promontory, Utah, which honored its completion. In one activity they plan and...
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Unit Plan
Intel

Starquest

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Almost every ancient culture observed the stars and saw pictures in the patterns. Studying stars allowed them to guide travelers, determine when to plant crops, when to harvest food, and the stories surrounding the images include some of...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Centennial: Buildings Tell a Story

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research which buildings are registered as national or state historical sites, and lobby the community by petition to have another local building placed on the national or state historic register.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Olympic Games: History

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students use the internet to research the history of the Olympic Games. They identify the mascots and symbols of the Games. They watch a short video on the types of sporting events as well.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ancient Cliff Dwellers of Mesa Verde

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students research evidence discovered during Mesa Verde archaeological dig, view images of ancient artifacts, simultate real dig and reconstruct items buried on school grounds, and create newsletter or video tape skit.
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Lesson Plan
Alabama Department of Archives and History

A College Student's Perspective on WWI

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Some things remain the same, such as the world being on the brink of war, or college attendees writing home requesting money. As part of their research into events that led up to President Wilson's declaration of war on Germany, class...
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Lesson Plan
City University of New York

Presidential Elections and the Electoral College

For Teachers 11th - 12th Standards
To understand the controversy surrounding the US 2000 presidential election, class members investigate the rationale behind the Electoral Collage, the intimidation involved in the election of 1876, and the 2004 American League...
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Lesson Plan
Manchester University

Veteran’s Day

For Teachers 1st - 5th Standards
Before honoring courageous veterans, get to know more about who they are and why November 11th is a special day. Scholars obtain such information through a read aloud of Eve Bunting's The Wall, grand conversation, and letter writing...
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Lesson Plan
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Museum of Tolerance

Cultural Research Activity

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Class members explore cultural diversity through a variety of texts that showcase the importance of traditions. Then, they interview their family members to research their own cultural background and write their findings on quilt pieces....
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Lesson Plan
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Museum of Tolerance

Artifact Research Activity

For Teachers 3rd - 6th Standards
Artifacts give us the privilege of learning about the past, may it be family, culture, or traditions. Here, class members learn about their family's past with the help of an artifact, or family heirloom. Once an artifact is discovered,...
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Lesson Plan
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US Institute of Peace

Organizations Working for Peace

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
From helping refugees to negotiating peace treaties, the peacekeepers of the world keep busy! Introduce young activists to the many individuals and organizations throughout the world that work daily toward peace. 14th in a series of 15...
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Lesson Plan
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Population Connection

Meeting Human Needs

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed Standards
How to meet the needs of people around the globe—a question many ask. The fifth in a six-part series about human population and its effects on the globe, the eye-opening lesson includes discussion, a homework activity, and an in-class...
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Lesson Plan
NPR

Journalism Lesson Plan

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
Honor women in journalism with an online exhibit called Women with a Deadline. Class members demonstrate their understanding of the topic in a final assessment by writing a newspaper article on the information they learned in the online...
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Activity
Street Law

Mock Trial - Shawn Wright v. Play and Learn Childcare Center

For Teachers 9th - 12th
A child breaks his arm while at daycare. Was the staff negligent? That is the question at the heart of the mock trial case, Shawn Wright v. Plan and Learn Childcare Center.
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Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

Tools of the Trade

For Students 6th - 12th
Archaeologist David Hurst Thomas details his search for a lost Spanish Mission on St. Catherines Island, Georgia. A great way to introduce youngsters to the life of and the tools used by archaeologists.
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Lesson Plan
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Historical Thinking Matters

Rosa Parks: 5 Day Lesson

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
What led to the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, and how might historians approach this question differently? This rich series of lessons includes a short introductory video clip, analysis of six primary source documents, and...
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eBook
Rice University

American Government 2e

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
An informative resource provides a textbook on American government that covers topics such as the definition of government and how democracy works. Each section provides brief questions at the end to assess scholars' understanding. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Genealogy Research

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Personalize history through genealogy. Get your scholars examining their family's past by utilizing resources at your local genealogical society. Learners complete family pedigree charts and choose to do one of the following: research...
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Worksheet
Curated OER

The City I Live In

For Students 3rd - 6th Standards
Research information about your city and state. Pupils investigate details such as the name of the city mayor, local establishments, and entertainment. For the state, they name the capital, governor, state flower, and flag. There are...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Virtual Vacation

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Learners are members of teams traveling and exploring the Pacific States Region of the United States via the Internet. Each team travels virtually to its destination to become experts on geography, history, tourism, nature, and economics.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Along the El Camino Real

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
While studying each of the 21 missions in California, your class will learn about the founders and founding dates of each mission. Note: Some resource links may not be working, but can be supplemented with additional activities found on...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

St. Patrick's Day

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Take a look at a variety of St. Patrick's Day themed websites. They locate information on the history of the holiday, play games, complete arts and crafts, and read poetry. This is a great way to celebrate the holiday.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration History Firsthand

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this immigration instructional activity, students conduct research regarding Ellis Island and the American immigrant...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Family Interviews: The Grandparent/Elder Project

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners explore key concepts/facts in 20th Century history, develop interview questions, and produce master list of questions that can be used in project. Students then interview grandparent, great-grandparent, or other elder about...