Curated OER
Melba Pattillo and Ruby Bridges: Two Heroes of School Integration
Learners put themselves in the shoes of students who integrated Little Rock High School in 1957-58. Note: The primary resources in this activity provide powerful and poignant descriptions of what those students faced.
Curated OER
Family History
Eighth graders examine immigration patterns. In this family history lesson plan, 8th graders investigate their own family histories and then compare and contrast immigration patterns of their class to national immigration patterns...
Curated OER
History Telling
Tenth graders examine the different parts of history that make up people's lives. In this American History lesson, 10th graders explore how historians learn about events that happened in the past by looking at events that happened...
Curated OER
History of Famous Women
Students discover the famous women who changed society by setting positive examples. In this equality lesson, students research a female person who had a positive effect on the world by fighting for her equal rights. Students...
Curated OER
Novel Ideas: History of the American Novel
Explore the history of the American novel in the contexts of literature and US history. How does a novel or piece of writing from a particular time showcase the mood during that historical period? After conducting research and discussing...
Curated OER
The Jim Crow Era
Students examine how African-Americans were affected by the Great Depression. In this African-American history lesson, students conduct independent research on the social conditions of the time period using the suggested resources....
Curated OER
March First Independence Movement
Students study the pro-independence movement of 1919 in Korea. In this Korean history instructional activity, students investigate the implications of Japanese occupation of Korea and create posters that feature the essence of the Korean...
Curated OER
Comparing Time Periods in U.S. History: The Ashford Project
Fifth graders use a "fact book" comparing periods in American history then students create a picture to illustrate their assigned periods. # # students use their pictures and concept maps to write expository paragraphs about their...
Curated OER
The Economics of Risk
Young scholars consider the plight of immigrant food industry workers in the United States. In this social justice activity, students identify the pros and cons of being an undocumented worker in the U.S. and discuss labor laws.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Unauthorized Immigration and the US Economy
As part of a study of immigration and the U.S. economy, class members assume the role of newspaper editors to determine which submitted letters to print on their paper's editorial page to present a balanced view of the debate.
American Institute of Physics
African American Inventors in History
A two-part lesson introduces young historians to the work of famous African American inventors. Groups first research and develop a presentation of an inventor that includes biographical information and information about one of their...
Curated OER
Constitution Day 2006
Students consider how the U.S. Constitution affects their daily lives. They use picture books to take part in a Constitution Scavenger Hunt. They draw a picture showing one way their life might be different if the Constitution had not...
Curated OER
Fighting for Democracy, Fighting for Me
Students explore what it means to be American. In this American identity lesson, students consider the contributions of Americans throughout history that have protected the promises of the U.S. Constitution.
Curated OER
Internet Activities: To Betsy's House to Make a Flag
Students investigate the history of the American flag. For this U.S. history lesson, students read "To Betsy's House to a Make a Flag" and complete an Internet activity regarding the life of Betsy Ross.
Curated OER
Every Day Is Presidents' Day at the White House
Students explore the history of the White House and the role of the president. They explore the White House Historical Association website, answer questions, create a drawing of the Oval Office, and take an online quiz.
Curated OER
From the School House to the White House
Learners recall visits to museums, then read a news article about a museum exhibit that shows what U.S. presidents were like during their childhood. For this U.S. history and current events lesson, the teacher introduces the article with...
Curated OER
Recruiting a Few Good Citizens
Students write persuasive speeches to recruit soldiers for a Civil War company. In this Civil War U.S. history and writing instructional activity, students work in groups to create a recruiting poster and write a speech to persuade...
Curated OER
Harriet Tubman: An American Hero
Students explore U.S. history by viewing a Civil Rights video. In this Harriet Tubman lesson, students identify the era in which Tubman fought for equality and list her important achievements after viewing a biographical film. Students...
Curated OER
Cherokee Indians and the Trail of Tears
Students investigate U.S. history by reading American Indian stories. In this Cherokee Indian lesson plan, students identify the cruelty inflicted towards Native Americans by the European settlers and the "trail of tears" that were left....
Curated OER
Stamp Act: Virtual Representation vs. Actual Representation
Eleventh graders research and discuss the different points of view of colonists in terms of taxation, as well as how these viewpoints helped lead to the revolution.
Curated OER
Liberia and the U.S.: Historic Ties and Policy Decisions
Students discuss and analyze factors affecting U.S. foreign policy toward Liberia. They role-play various groups during 1900 who were concerned with the relationship between United States and Liberia as a "colony"
Smithsonian Institution
Cuban Missile Crisis
The United States—specifically John F. Kennedy—played a large role during the Cuban Missile Crisis. A history resource poses questions that encourage critical thinking as well as in-depth analysis of images from the time period.
Curated OER
Presidents Picture Book
Students create a picture book of the U.S. presidents. They study general information about the U.S. presidents, write a sentence about each president, and create a picture book about the U.S. presidents.
Curated OER
Memorial Day Shoebox Parade
Learners examine the history of U.S. conflict and Memorial Day. They conduct research, develop a timeline of U.S. conflict, and create a shoebox Memorial Day parade to commemorate veterans and soldiers.