US Institute of Peace
Simulation on Conflict Prevention in the Greater Horn of Africa
Is containing a conflict possible in the Horn of Africa? Young peacekeepers engage in a simulation that examines the multi-faceted conflict that exists between the countries of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Representatives from ten countries in...
US National Archives
Documented Rights Educational Lesson Plan
How have groups struggled to have their unalienable rights recognized in the United States? Acting as a research team for the Human Rights Council of the United Nations, your young historians will break into groups to research how people...
Curated OER
Exploration of Civil War Webquest
Students use the internet to research what life was like for Confederate and Union soldiers in a specific battle of interest to them. In groups, they complete a webquest on the battle in which one represents a Confederate soldier and the...
Curated OER
The Vernor's Lesson
Learners review list of statements pertaining to United States History, and determine whether statements happened during the Civil War, after the Civil War, or had no connection to War. Students then speculate about connection between...
Curated OER
It Wasn't a Bullet
Learners explore U.S. history by researching disease in class. In this Civil War injury lesson, students identify the different causes of death most soldiers faced while fighting in the war. Learners role-play and write a diary entry as...
Curated OER
Cover the Music
Young scholars explore U.S. history by listening to musical pieces in class. In this Civil War era lesson, students discuss the types of musical instruments that were available to soldiers during the war and the themes of their songs....
Curated OER
Atlanta and Sherman's March to the Sea
Students explore the impact of William Tecumseh Sherman's actions during the Civil War.
Curated OER
The Home Front (Circa 1863)
Pupils interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this American Civil War lesson plan, students examine sources and then write personal accounts of the war.
Curated OER
Battle of Stones River
Students will read the story "Battle of Stones River" and define a set of vocabulary words. In this Civil War instructional activity, students complete a fill-in-the-blank vocabulary activity after reading the story and defining the words.
Curated OER
The Red Badge of Courage: A New Kind of Realism
Students research the Civil War and make connections between the war and the interpretation of the war in the novel The Red Badge of Courage to help them understand realism. In this Civil War recounting instructional activity, students...
Curated OER
Slavery
Fifth graders complete a short unit on slavery and the U.S. Civil War. They read and analyze the book, "Follow the Drinking Gourd," compose their own secret song, complete an Abraham Lincoln crossword puzzle, and dramatize a historical...
Curated OER
Civil Liberties And National Security
Students experience profiling first-hand through creation of a Class ID, and daily persecution of a selected group of students. They examine the tension between the concern for national security and for the preservation of civil liberties
Curated OER
Civil Rights/Segregation
Sixth graders investigate Civil Rights by participating in role-playing activities. In this U.S. History lesson, 6th graders research the history of slavery in order to portray a story through their debating and acting abilities. ...
Star Wars in the Classroom
"Shakespeare and Star Wars": Lesson Plan Day 2
Ta DUM, ta DUM, ta DUM, ta DUM, ta DUM. The force will be strong in the hearts of your young Jedi as they use their lightsabers to strike the accentted syllables in lines from Ian Doescher's William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New...
Curated OER
To Be or Not to Be: A Marriage of Civil War Descendants
Students examine primary documents related to the burning of Chambersburg during the Civil Way. In this Civil War era history lesson, students study numerous primary documents relating to the burning of the town of Chambersburg. Students...
Curated OER
Sgt. Humiston, Where are You?
Students become familiar with the events of the Civil War. For this identification lesson, students use deductive reasoning to understand how the deceased soldier was identified. Students view primary documents for information about...
Curated OER
Gather 'Round And Hear My Tale
Students listen to a story about a tragic and amazing Civil War battle. They draw what they imagine the scene looking like and write a reaction paper to what they heard.
Constitution Facts
U.S. Constitution Crossword Puzzles: Intermediate #1
All of the details of American history fall into place with a clever crossword puzzle. Nearly 100 clues prompt middle and high schoolers to fit the correct answers to topics including the American Revolution, the Civil War, and...
Curated OER
Slavery in America at the Time of the Civil War
Eighth graders create simple html pages as a vehicle for presenting the Inspiration web. In this American History instructional activity, 8th graders research slavery in the United States.
Student Handouts
The Emancipation Proclamation
Start your class on the Emancipation Proclamation. The entire text of the Proclamation is included here along with two questions to answer. Space is provided to allow pupils to write their responses right on the page. Use this as a quick...
Curated OER
Battle of Chickamauga Quiz
In this online interactive Civil War worksheet, students respond to 15 multiple choice questions about the Battle of Chickamauga. Students may check their answers immediately
Curated OER
Growing a Nation
Eleventh graders examine the major events and inventions that changed American families and communities. For this US History lesson, 11th graders analyze various documents dealing with the changes. Students create a project on an event...
Curated OER
Portrait Analysis of Lincoln in Richmond, VA
Students view and analyze a portrait of Abraham Lincoln made during his visit to Richmond, Va. Students determine the historical significance of his visit and create fictional newspaper accounts from various perspectives.
Curated OER
Understanding Reconstruction in South Carolina
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Reconstruction lesson, 8th graders research the role of Reconstruction in South Carolina by simulating the environment of East Bay Street...