Museum of the American Revolution
Pop-Up Museum
Museums offer more than interesting exhibits—they are key to keeping history alive. An immersive activity uses a virtual field trip to show academics the importance of museums in preserving history. Young historians learn how museums are...
Curated OER
A World in Transition
Students explore the passing of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1397, which backs plans for the creation of a Palestinian state, as a springboard to investigating the history different countries that have been redefined in the...
Stanford University
Jacob Riis
Fourth graders view and discuss the photographs of Jacob Riis.In this Jacob Riis and Immigrants instructional activity, 4th graders analyze the photographs of Jacob Riis and answer questions about the feelings evoked by the photographs....
Curated OER
Animal Farm - The Rest of the Story
Students participate in a reader's theater using farm animals in the novella Animal Farm. In this Animal Farm lesson plan, students evaluate interpretations using the text, personal experience, and historical events.
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Philadelphia and the Constitutional Convention "Heat Up"
Young scholars explore the Constitutional Convention of 1787. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students role play the parts of delegates in a simulation of the convention.
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The American Landscape (1800 - 1850)
High schoolers are introduced to the romantic cultural movement in America. Reading examples of pictures of Washington Irving's home, they identify the characteristics of the movement. They view other paintings of artists from the same...
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Port of Entry
Students research patterns of immigration throughout American history. The focus is on the process of how immigrants came through Ellis Island. Students reflect upon the topic to develop critical thinking skills.
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Using Primary Sources: Letters from the Presidents
Students find out about the minds and thoughts of presidents through reading their actual letters. They explore the personal lives of presidents. They answer questions about a primary source. They write essays.
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President Bush Balances Power
High schoolers review the results of the November 2006 mid-term election. Using their text, they read the history of the balance of power and examine recent news articles. They present their findings to the class and may even hold a debate.
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Civil War Slang
Students explore the language of the Civil War time period. For this Civil War lesson, students work in groups to research the meanings of Civil War slang.
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Edison National Historic Site
Students use maps, readings and photos to research and describe how Thomas Edison created the first modern laboratory complex. They simulate the process of invention and consider how technological advances have affected their own...
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Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Students investigate the community in which Lincoln and his family lived and explore how the citizens felt about him. The national issues that inspired Lincoln to act decisively in politics and that propelled him to the White House are...
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Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
Students study Eleanor Roosevelt's spirit, personal style, and humanitarian efforts. They investigate their own community for volunteer organizations dedicated to helping others.
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Home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt National Historic Site
Students examine some early activities and circumstances of Franklin Roosevelt's life and demonstrate how those activities may have influenced his policies and decisions in public life. Structures in their own community created by the...
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Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
Students examine the difference between the Cold War and the "hot" wars and contrast the benefits of solid and liquid fuel ballistic missile systems of the era. The impact of the Cold War upon their communities is explored.
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United States Colored Troops in Missouri: Finding African American History at the M
Students analyze primary source documents about African American soldiers in Missouri. They work together to complete a worksheet about the document. They discuss the information they gathered as a class.
Global Oneness Project
Repairing the Fabric of Democracy
During elections, headlines constantly lament the issue of low voter turnout. Help class members understand why this is such an important topic with relevant articles, a discussion of both sides of the issue, and a reflective essay.
Curated OER
Summer Reading to Get Teens Thinking
While summer reading usually involves entertaining fluff, here is a list of books that are thought-provoking, unique, and entertaining.
Curated OER
Signature History
Students review the meaning and application of primary and secondary sources in research. They determine how researchers locate primary source documents before looking at signatures as a validating factor on many primary sources....
Stanford University
Settlement House Movement SAC
Students read and view a movie on Social Gospel and Settlement Houses. In this Social Reform lesson plan, students view the movie, read the passages and answer questions on the social reform movement of this time.
Curated OER
Presidential Places Quilt
Students design historical quilts. In this presidential history lesson plan, students research past presidents and landmarks named for them. Students create quilt squares to represent the landmarks and piece all of them together in a...
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Speak Out!
Students consider their opinions on various topics and issues related to the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Then, focusing on one specific topic, each student supports his or her opinions in a...
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Show Me the Money
Students examine current and past economic crises around the world, using the current recession in the United States as a starting point.
Curated OER
Changing the Channel
Learners explore the historic transfer of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama, investigating how this shift might affect various aspects of Panama's economy, relations with other countries, and international trade.