Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Burning Washington: Dolley Madison's Historical Letter

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students review and discuss War of 1812, analyze the taking of Washington and the personal feelings of Dolley Madison by reading and discussing her famous letter to her sister, and respond to Dolley Madison in a one or more page letter...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Primary Sources

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine primary source documents about slavery in the United States. They evaluate the documents for the evidence they provide, reliability and bias. They present their evaluation to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Three Bad Little Pigs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers examine and interpret conflicting primary sources.
Lesson Plan
PBS

Primary Sources

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students see how to use primary and secondary sources to investigate history. Whether it is a photograph, book, map, letter, postcard, newspaper, or official document, students can use sources to reconstruct and relive history.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early Champlain Valley History

For Teachers 9th
Class members use primary sources to craft an essay about early Champlain Valley History. I would use this as a homework assignment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Adding to the Picture: The 1963 March on Washington

For Teachers 7th - 11th
Who do your scholars imagine when they think about the civil rights movement? If only a few faces come to mind, this lesson will expand their concepts of the movement's leaders. Learners examine an image of the 1963 March on Washington,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

My America

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders compare 1920's America to modern America. For this historical perspectives lesson, 11th graders research both eras in American history using inquiry skills. As a culminating activity, students create digital slide shows...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Underground Railroad Tic-Tac-Toe

For Teachers 5th - 10th
Students discover details about the Underground Railroad. In this slavery lesson, students read primary documents about fugitive slaves and analyze the sources using the provided worksheets. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Fugitive Slaves and the Underground Railroad

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders consider the impact of the Underground Railroad. In this slavery lesson plan, 11th graders examine primary documents as they conduct independent research to explore the role of the Underground Railroad during the fight...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Underground Railroad

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students write about the impact of the Underground Railroad. In this slavery lesson, students examine primary documents as they conduct independent research to explore the role of the Underground Railroad during the fight for abolition....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Baltimoreans in the California Gold Rush

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore the reasons for migration to California during the Gold Rush.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders read letters about the opportunities and obstacles people faced.  Students create a map of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Life of a Hoosier Soldier, based on the letters of Lt. John V. Hadley

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders take a closer look at the life of Union soldiers. In this American Civil War lesson, 8th graders read and analyze a series of letters from Lt. John Hadley to his fiancée. Students chart their findings from the letters on...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Origins of World War I

For Students 9th - 12th
In this World War I learning exercise, students follow the provided guidelines to conduct independent research and write research papers about aspects of the war.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Questions on Benjamin Franklin’s Cartoon

For Students 8th - 12th
In this primary source analysis worksheet, learners examine Benjamin Franklin's "Join or Die" political cartoon and then respond to 8 short answer questions based on their analysis of it.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Dr. Seuss Political Cartoon Questions

For Students 8th - 12th
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students examine a political cartoon by Dr. Seuss about World War II and then respond to 5 short answer questions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Spanish Entrada

For Students 9th - 12th
In this Arizona history worksheet, students read a 5 page selection that includes primary sources about time periods in the state's history. Students then respond to 5 short answer questions based on the selection.