Curated OER
Lesson Plan 6: Introducing the Elements of Plot-Part Two
November is National Novel Writing Month, so if your young authors are embarking on this journey, be sure they understand plot elements. This collaborative lesson fits into the context of the larger NaNoWriMo project; however, the ideas...
VH1
Lesson 4: Behind the Movie Chicago
The elements of music and journalistic integrity in one lesson; What could be better? The class discusses journalistic approaches to better understand responsible reporting versus sensationalism. They watch the Act One from the film...
Curated OER
Revolution! The Atlantic World Reborn
This resource is rich with primary and secondary source material regarding major events in the Atlantic world during the Age of Revolution. While there are suggested classroom activities toward the beginning of the resource, its true...
PBS
Rosa Parks: Civil Rights Activist
Scholars examine the courageous efforts made by civil rights activist, Rosa Parks. Discussion questions and a brief writing assignment follows a short film. A photograph and a silent film delve deeper into Park's history and three...
Center for History Education
Franklin Roosevelt's Proposal for Reforming the Supreme Court: 168 Days of National Debate
Was it overreach or wise executive functioning? Scholars have long debated Franklin Roosevelt's court-packing scheme when he attempted to stack the court with justices friendlier to his New Deal measures. Now, learners pick up the...
Curated OER
Why Are Some Nations Wealthy?
Students analyze collected date to determine if selected nations are poor or rich. They list the nations in order from richest to poorest and discuss factors for long-term growth.
Curated OER
Beyond Media Messages: Media Portrayal of Global Development
Students discuss global development and create a graphic representation of the discussion. In this media analysis lesson, students deconstruct disaster coverage by reading articles and identifying missing information. Students research...
Curated OER
The Star-Spangled Banner
Get your kids moving as they learn about the history of the United States National Anthem. Scholars examine the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key, and the meaning behind The Star Spangled Banner as they listen to an 18-minute...
Curated OER
Working for the Common Good
Learners explore the concept of nation building. In this Peace Corps instructional activity, students examine primary source documents from corps volunteers in the Dominican Republic to determine what it means to work for the common good.
Curated OER
First Nations Plants and their Uses
Students identify the uses of plants by researching Native Americans. In this First Nations culture lesson, students identify the First Nations coastal people of British Columbia and their use of plants such as seaweed, bark and moss....
Curated OER
Lesson 4: Fighting for Peace: The Fate of Wilson's Fourteen Points
Students analyze foreign policy. For this Fourteen Points lesson, students examine Wilson's Fourteen Points, explore Allied reaction to the Points, and compare Wilson's foreign policy to the Versailles Treaty.
Curated OER
Lesson 2: The First Inaugural Address (1861)—Defending the American Union
Students explore the content of Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address. In this Abraham Lincoln lesson, students analyze the text of the speech to determine how Lincoln sought to preserve the Union from secession attempts.
Curated OER
Classroom Unity Representing a Nation of Immigrants
Investigate national unity in a month-long lesson. After creating "I am from" poems, 5th graders will construct accordion flip books, listing and illustrating reasons for settlement. Choosing illustrations, essays, or Powerpoint...
Curated OER
Civil War Play Lesson Plan
Students act out the Civil War through reader's theater. In this performing arts lesson, students research the Civil War and find costumes, props and scenery appropriate to the time period. They become characters from the Civil War time...
Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson's Library: Making the Case for a National Library
Young scholars examine a letter written by Thomas Jefferson. In this lesson on the Thomas Jefferson Library, students discover a methodology for creative writing by examining Jefferson's letter to congress explaining why they should...
Curated OER
The Debate in the United States over the League of Nations
Eleventh graders read the words and listen to the voices of some central participants in the debate over the League of Nations.
Curated OER
Andrew Jackson vs. The National Bank
High schoolers explore Andrew Jackson's vision for the National Bank. In this Jackson presidency lesson, students determine why Jackson vetoed the National Bank's Charter and indentify the causes of the Panic of 1837.
Curated OER
Our National Symbol
Students identify the bald eagle as the national symbol of the United States and explain what the symbol represents. They work to create their own symbol and explain why their created symbol is an appropriate representation of the United...
Curated OER
United States All the Way
Students create patriotic books about the United States and some of its special symbols.
Curated OER
Settlement Patterns of the United States
Students examine the conditions that affected the way people settled in the United States. Using maps, they examine the topography and climate of different locations and determine the factors that do and do not allow settlement to occur....
Curated OER
Immigration in the United States
Pupils examine the reasons why people leave their country to live in another. In groups, they use print and electronic resources to answer questions about where immigrants came from during different time periods and advice given to...
Teach Engineering
Introduction to Environmental Engineering
A series on environmental engineering introduces the class to issues that environmental engineers work to solve. This first activity focuses on air and land issues, and looks at ways to reduce pollution.
Heritage Foundation
Congress's War Powers
Declaring war is not as easy as some may think. High schoolers learn about Congress's limits regarding war by reading important clauses in the US Constitution. Various independent and collaborative activities reinforce learning, making...
PBS
Master of the Airwaves: How FDR Used Radio to Ease the Public’s Fears
The political and economic climate during the 1930's was uncertain and tumultuous. But Americans' minds and hearts were eased with the reassuring words of their president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and addresses over the radio. High...