Curated OER
Using Four Main Directions in the Classroom
Students identify the four cardinal directions. In this map skills geography instructional activity, students use a magnetic compass to label the four directions in the classroom. Students use the four directions to locate objects in the...
Curated OER
The Nifty Fifty- Facts and Figures
Students explore an assigned state. In this United States geography lesson, students identify facts and figures related to a particular state. Students use the Internet for research and create a PowerPoint presentation displaying these...
Curated OER
China is Unique
Sixth graders study the culture of China by comparing it to that of the United States. They write all questions and notes in a journal. The students access the internet to obtain the information and internet sites are suggested in the...
Curated OER
The Tet Offensive and the Vietnam War
High schoolers discover how the United States became involved in the Vietnam War, the importance of the Tet Offensive in turning American public opinion against the war, and how the Vietnam War is still a part of American life and culture.
Curated OER
George Washington's Revolutionary Journeys
Students take a closer look at historical maps. In this American Revolution lesson, students examine the provided historical maps and documents to determine the assignments that George Washington assigned to subordinates during the...
Curated OER
California Geography
Fourth graders explore geography of four distinct regions of California: mountains, coast, central valley, and desert. They locate California on map, identify state's boundaries and borders, and explore agriculture, a major economic...
Curated OER
2010 Census Lesson 1: It's About Us
Learners analyze data from the 2000 census to learn how the census works. In this civics lesson, students read a story to find out about the census, then use a map and census data to analyze changes. Lesson includes related resources...
Curated OER
Geography Puzzles
Students study the continents of the world. In this Internet geography instructional activity, students connect to online mapping games. Students collaborate in order to develop their understanding of world geography, including countries...
Alabama Department of Archives and History
From Alabama Farmer to Civil War Soldier
As part of a study of the Civil War, class members conduct a WebQuest to create a timeline of battles fought by the 10th Alabama Infantry Regimen. They then use Google Earth to pinpoint these battles of the Civil War on a map of Alabama.
Curated OER
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854: Popular Sovereignty and the Political Polarization over Slavery
Why did Stephen Douglas support the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854? Why did Abraham Lincoln oppose it? Young historians examine how the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 affected the political balance between free and slave states and explore how...
K20 LEARN
Manifest Destiny: U.S. Territorial Expansion
A close examination of John Gast's painting "American Progress" launches a study of the concept of Manifest Destiny used to justify United States' policy of westward expansion. Young historians read statements from persons with different...
Stanford University
Ruby Bridges
A two-part lesson features Civil Rights hero, Ruby Bridges. Part one focuses on the heroic actions of Ruby Bridges then challenges scholars to complete a Venn diagram in order to compare themselves to her. Part two begins with a...
Curated OER
U.S. Mint Releases New Jefferson Nickel
Students share their knowledge of Lewis and Clark, then read a news article about the redesign on the U.S. nickel to commemorate Lewis and Clark's expedition. Introduce the article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, then students...
Baylor College
Mapping the Spread of HIV/AIDS
Where is HIV/AIDS most prevalent and what are the current trends regarding HIV? Have groups work together to map the world's HIV/AIDS rates, then create a class map with all the data. Lesson includes cross-disciplinary concepts including...
Anti-Defamation League
Impact of the U.S. Expansion on Indigenous People and Stereotypes About Native American People
The 2004 U.S. bicentennial sparks a discussion about its meaning and importance to United States history. Readings, maps, tables, and reflective writing prompt small groups to explore the westward expansion, Lewis and Clark, and how...
Curated OER
U.S. Geography- The Northeast
Learners investigate the geography of the Northeast states. In this map skills lesson, students are shown a map of the Northeast states and identify the state names and borders. Learners construct individual maps of the Northeast using...
Curated OER
My Summer Vacation
Students study the United States geography using Google Earth. In this U.S. geography lesson, students create travel journals about five U.S. geographical locations. Students research the human and physical characteristics for each region.
Curated OER
In Mr. Lincoln's Shoes
Students demonstrate basic map skills. In this US history lesson, students review cardinal directions and use a compass rose while at the same time discuss what life was like for Abraham Lincoln.
Curated OER
The Underground Railroad
Learners explore the Underground Railroad routes. In this map skills and Civil War lesson, students use map and globe reading vocabulary and skills to track the routes the slaves followed from the Bahamas to the United States and from...
Curated OER
Planting Time
Students research crops grown in the United States. In this agriculture lesson, students identify various crops cultivated across the United States as they create charts and maps that note the information.
Curated OER
Globe Lesson 17 - Alaska and Hawaii - Grade 4-5
Students develop their globe skills. In this geography skills lesson, students explore the area added to the United States when the Alaskan territory was purchased from Russia.
Curated OER
Country Capitals
Students locate country capitals on a world map. In this map skills lesson, students review the definition of the word country and discuss what a capital is. Students locate and label capital cities on a world map using a map marker.
Curated OER
Colonies and Revolution: Comparing US and Mexican History
Young scholars examine the emergence of the United States and Mexico as independent nations. They compare the colonial history of the two countries and discover the emergence of social classes.
Curated OER
Project Whistlestop:Missouri Vacation Learning Unit
Fourth graders reserach the state of Missouri. In this Missouri History lesson, 4th graders plan a vacation to a region of Missouri. Students work in collaborative groups to determine all aspects of the trip. Students use math skills for...