Syracuse University
American Industrial Revolution
While the Industrial Revolution may have fueled America's rise to the top of world markets, the child laborers often faced dangerous conditions. Using primary source images and other information, scholars consider what these children...
Curated OER
American Foreign Policy Since World War II (The Cold War)
Students identify and interpret some key figures and major events during the Cold War era, including the Korean War, Vietnam, Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs Invasion, and the United States and China Cold War Relations. They also play...
Curated OER
Who Was Marc Antony?
Students explore the relationship between Marc Antony and Cleopatra. For this World History lesson, students research Marc Antony, Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, then answer specific questions about how they are all related. Activities...
Curated OER
World War II
High schoolers create a Powerpoint presentation covering key information regarding a World War II battle and present the information to the class in the form of an oral presentation. They then will turn in a summary report including two...
Curated OER
Vocabulary Building - World War I
Students study the definitions of militarism, imperialism, and nationalism, and the significant individuals involved in the world alliance system prior to 1914. They examine the events that lead to World War I.
PBS
Master of the Airwaves: How FDR Used Radio to Ease the Public’s Fears
The political and economic climate during the 1930's was uncertain and tumultuous. But Americans' minds and hearts were eased with the reassuring words of their president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and addresses over the radio. High...
Curated OER
the World Rushed In: "Who Are These People? And How Came They Here?"
Students discuss the struggles Californians dealt with regarding diversity brought about by the Gold Rush. They participate in a variety of creative, original activities and projects designed to reinforce the idea of historical diversity...
Curated OER
The African-American Struggle for Equality in the World War II Era
Students respect and appreciate the challenges people faced during World War II. They develop the different perspectives on race during WWII. Students develop that the nation's actions may not exemplify a nation's stated ideals. Students...
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Lesson Plan on World War II: Illinois Role-The 33rd Infantry Division
Students complete several creative writing assignments regarding the 33rd Infantry Division of Illinois, which was active during World War II. They discuss how this war brought about changes in the state of Illinois and specifically,...
PBS
Using Primary Sources: Wide Open Town
A picture speaks a thousand words, no matter how old! Scholars use political cartoons from the era of Prohibition and the Temperance Movement to analyze what, a primary document (in this case, a bootlegger's notebook) is telling them...
US House of Representatives
Keeping the Faith: African Americans Return to Congress, 1929–1970
The third instructional activity in a unit that traces the history of African Americans serving in the US Congress examines the period from 1929 through 1970. After reading a contextual essay that details the few African Americans...
PBS
The Sixties: Dylan Plugs in and Sells Out
Before Woodstock, there was Newport. Get plugged in to the social changes of the 1960s with a lesson that looks at Bob Dylan's performance at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival as a symbol of the radical changes that marked the era.
Curated OER
Jazz in America
Students learn vocabulary associated with the Swing Era. They also listen to music from the time period.
Curated OER
Entertaining Vancouver's Youth During World War II.
Students investigate relevant period documents and artifacts and have the
opportunity to replicate a 1943-44 entertainment experience by viewing a program
of World War II era motion pictures on site at Vancouver's historic...
Curated OER
Unit on Gandhi and Ahimsa
Students explore the history of Gandhi and his viewpoint and example of nonviolence. In this World History lesson plan, students complete numerous research assignments and activities over the course of nine lessons to expand their...
Curated OER
The Great Depression: An Oral History
Students examine the hardships experienced during the Great Depression through an oral history interview with person who lived through the event. Students transcribe their interviews and discover the contributions oral history can make...
Curated OER
Who Were the Dissidents?
Young scholars discover how Japanese dissidents spoke out against the injustice practiced in Imperial Japan. In this Japanese history lesson plan, students listen to a lecture about the silent dissidents in the nation prior to World War...
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Wilson's 14 Points
Students analyze political cartoons representing the role of the U.S. in the Post-World War One Era. They work in groups and analyze cartoons for their stereotypes, symbols, and caricatures. After analyzing them, they complete a...
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The Synagogue on Praska Street
Students discover the significange of a synagogue that was destroyed during World War II. As a class, they identify and describe Jewish symbols and are introduced to Croatian Jewry. They review the characteristics of a minority and read...
Delegation of the European Union to the United States
The Founding and Development of the European Union
How did Europe transition from a period of conflict to a period of sustained peace? As class members continue their study of the history and development of the European Union, groups examine the events in six time periods, from the EU's...
Curated OER
Due Process of Law and the Jim Crow Era
Students analyze eight case studies of Supreme Court decisions regarding due process of law and their impact on American society in the early 20th century. They digest that although the 14th amendment was intended to give federal rights...
Curated OER
Eckstine, Stayhorn, and the Dorseys: Masters of Swing
Students explore the history of swing music. In this music history lesson, students research the Dorsey Brothers, Billy Eckstine, and William Strayhorn to learn about swing music. Students define swing, develop a timeline of events in...
Curated OER
Cultural Comparisons Interview
Students interview a family member and give an oral report. In this oral history lesson, students create interview questions relevant to an American historical period. Students interview a family member and present an oral report to the...
Curated OER
Exile: Cuba and the United States
Students gain an understanding of U.S./Cuban Relations. In this world history lesson plan, students examine the events of the Cuban revolution and their effect on U.S.-Cuban relations and U.S. foreign policy.