Curated OER
Reading Comprehension: Guinness Book of World Records
If your learners are curious about human achievement, superlatives, or esoteric trivia, the Guinness Book of Records is a way to tap into instrinsic motivation and relevance. Here's an informational reading that will grab their attention...
Learning for Justice
Mary McLeod Bethune
Young historians conduct a close reading of the text of an interview with Mary McLeod Bethune, the daughter of former slaves who taught herself to read, grew up to establish schools for other Black women, and went on to become an advisor...
Curated OER
Questioning...and Early English Colony
Students create questions about the Early English Colonies in pairs and trade their questions with other students and answer them. In this Early English Colonies lesson plan, students either answer the question or use it as a discussion...
Curated OER
Early China
Students journey back in time to early China. In this Chinese history lesson, students explore China's geography; read about the Shang, Zhou, and Han Dynasties; compare Confucianism and Daoism. Students create PowerPoint presentations...
Curated OER
Early Explorers
Students answer short answer questions and participate in a role play where they are explorers being interviewed. In this early explorers lesson plan, students discuss why it is beneficial to be the first one in a place.
Annenberg Foundation
Spirit of Nationalism
What were the virtues and values that helped form America? Pupils watch and discuss a video, read biographies of early Americans, chart the differences between early American religious movements, write journals and letters, draw, and...
Annenberg Foundation
America's History in the Making: Classroom Applications Three
How can primary sources bring history to life? Scholars create detailed lesson plans on the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in American history. The 17th installment of a 22-part program exploring American history examines...
Curated OER
William Apess and the Mashpee "Revolt" of 1833
Prompt your class with the following question: What was the status of American Indians in Massachusetts during Jackson's presidency? To answer this question, class members will read a series of primary source documents (attached),...
Curated OER
Desert Views: First Impressions
Students are introduced to primary source material and the ways in which early travelers viewed aspects of the desert environment. The lesson addresses the geography themes of location, region, and human/environment interaction.
Curated OER
Reading Trees: Understanding Dendrochronology
Young scholars examine tree-ring dating and discuss the lack of water the settlers in Jamestown faced. They create paper tree rings, simulate rain patterns, and describe the history of construction paper tree sequences.
Curated OER
Documenting an Historic Journey
Students read and analyze journals written by Lewis and Clark. They watch and discuss a video segment, complete a graphic organizer, and write a journal entry written from the point of view of someone involved with the Lewis and Clark...
Curated OER
In Remembrance of George Washington
Students explore the contributions of George Washington. In this early American history lesson, students analyze the provided eulogy for George Washington written by Henry Lee and then write their eulogies for the first president.
Curated OER
Migration and Immigration in the United States: Three Case Studies
Learners examine the early migration of Native Americans, African Americans, and the British Colonists. They conduct Internet research, complete a timeline, label maps, compare/contrast the three groups' experiences, and write an essay.
Curated OER
Matthew Henson: Heroic Explore Who Conquered Racism
Young scholars explore the concept of racism. In this character building lesson, students read a biography about a hero Matthew Henson. Young scholars discover the challenges he, and others, faced during a time of unfairness.
Curated OER
Where is the Trail? The Journey of Lewis and Clark
Students explore the trail followed by Lewis and Clark on their journey across the United States. In this United States History instructional activity, students complete several activities to establish the Lewis and Clark Expedition,...
Curated OER
Viriginan American Indians
Students complete a KWL chart about the American Indians using graphic organizers from websites. They read a teacher-selected book about the early Virginia American Indians and then read Becoming a Homeplace from the Virginia Historical...
Curated OER
Sherlock Holmes: Teaching English Through Detective Fiction
Students read examples of mysteries and detective fiction. With a focus on Sherlock Holmes, they are introduced to the techniques for reading properly. In groups, they define new vocabulary, make predictions and summarize the stories. ...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Anti-McDonald's McDavids Beat Goliath
In this English worksheet, students read "Anti-McDonald's McDavids Beat Goliath," and then respond to 8 multiple choice, 27 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.
Curated OER
It’s a Big, Big World
Students examine the role of the explorers. In this explorers and conquistadors, students create word puzzles (Wordles) regarding the time period in history. Students conduct research regarding a particular explorer and create foldables...
Curated OER
Learning Economics through Comics
Students summarize the historical development of money. In this economics lesson, students describe the process of bartering and explain how money facilitates trade and exchange. Students also define and describe inflation and a modern...
Annenberg Foundation
America's History in the Making: Classroom Applications One
Someone finds a time capsule 100 years from now, and it includes your family photo album. What would the photos tell that person about you and your place in history? Scholars investigate how artifacts tell stories. Using photos, maps,...
Museum of Tolerance
The Role of Citizens in a Participatory Democracy
Groups research participatory democracies and compare the role and rights of citizens in ancient history with those in recent U.S. history. Guided by a series of questions, individuals compose a persuasive essay in which they discuss the...
Curated OER
Children's Organization for Civil Rights
Pupils analyze a speech from Constance Baker Motley, examine student Organization for Civil Rights' documents, and then create their own plan of action for what the C.O.C.R. might be like if it existed today.
Curated OER
Tending To The Greenhouse
Students investigate global warming through initial discussion of recent findings of an 11-day lengthening of the growing season caused by warmer temperatures. They research and propose solutions for restricting greenhouse gases.