1800s Teacher Resources

Students participate in a series of activities to explore the lives of slaves in 19th century America. They examine the design of slave ships, the hardships endured, and the ways that owners depended on slaves for their economic survival.

What kind of treatment could a patient expect in an asylum during the 1800's? The abusive and neglectful conditions in 19th century asylums are the focus of a lesson that examines the work of reformers Nellie Bly, Dorothea Dix, and...

Learners discuss the lines, shapes, and patterns used to decorate a 19th century chandelier. In this visual arts lesson, students examine the lines and identify the patterns on the chandelier. Learners create a papier-mache sculpture...

Learners examine the Second Great Awakening and the religious revivals that swept through the United States during the early decades of the nineteenth century. They compare various communities to the Harmonists of Old Economy.

Eighth graders utilize the SOAP method to analyze a work of art and relate it to what they know about the Progressive Era and the reasons why cities changed and the ways in which cities changed during the end of the 19th century. They...

In this online interactive U.S. history worksheet, students respond to 9 short answer and essay questions about 19th century America. Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet.

Fourth graders compare and contrast the clothing during the 19th century to the fashion trends of the present day. They design something suitable for a future time period and explain why.

Students compare and contrast the elements used in the 19th century British novel and those novels in American society today. In groups, they brainstorm what it might have been like to be a teenager growing up in England during the 19th...

Eleventh graders research the acquisition of colonial outposts throughout the Pacific Ocean by the United States during the late-nineteenth century. They present their findings to the class and propose which countries or territories the...

If your really want your history class to know everything about old and new imperialism, look no further. This 58-slide presentation depicts, describes, and explains everything from 19th Century expansion and the Congress of Berlin to...

In this online interactive immigration and urban society worksheet, students answer 10 multiple choice questions regarding late 19th century America. Students may submit their answers to be scored.

Fourth graders take a field trip to a mill, identify the parts of a mill, what was produced there, and what types of occupations were associated with a mill. They write an essay detailing the reasons they would or wouldn't like to have...

Students interpret and analyze primary source documents and compare and contrast childhood today with that of the past.

Take a closer look at the religious and moral reform movements in nineteenth century America, including the creation of utopian communities in response to the growth of the market economy, the fundamental ideals of Protestant...

How did women transform pre-Civil War America? Your young historians will learn about the cult of domesticity and discover the efforts of women to improve prisons, schools, and end slavery in the United States during the nineteenth...

Here is a lesson designed to acquaint learners with two amazing forms of entertainment from the 19th century: The Cyclorama and the Moving Panorama. After seeing what these two contraptions were all about, pupils make their own version...

Using a Chinese-English phrase book from the late 19th century, learners view a glimpse of life on the frontier for a Chinese immigrant. They work in groups and on their own to analyze and summarize the content of various phrases, given...

Examine the Latin and Greek language and civilization during the 19th century by exploring the mediums available then. Students examine scenes related to Greek and Roman literature and compare and contrast them.

Young scholars investigate the monetary system during the late 19th-century. They view a video, answer discussion questions, read and discuss text, and write an essay justifying either the pro-silver or pro-gold standard side.

What comes to mind when you think of the 1860's - other than the Civil War? Paired with The American Pageant textbook (or not), this series of images completes a lecture on the mid-19th century. Cattle trails, Indian wars, and...

Students debate and explore the rationale and ethics behind Lincoln's 19th century suspension of habeas corpus - the 'writ of liberty' and answer related questions.

VH1 Music Studio has put out another great instructional activity that incorporates analysis, compare/contrast, and musical terminology. Kids will listen to the song "Habanera" considering the use of specific instruments in evoking a...