Curated OER
Digging up the Past
Students explore history through archaeology. For this critical analysis lesson, students work in teams to recreate a model of the archaeological discoveries made in the excavations at Monticello. This lesson is designed to help students...
Curated OER
The Declaration of Independence: From Rough Draft to Proclamation
Young scholars discover the purpose of the Declaration of Independence. In this colonial America instructional activity, students compare the original draft by Thomas Jefferson to the final draft of the Declaration of Independence.
Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson's Library: Making the Case for a National Library
Students examine a letter written by Thomas Jefferson. In this lesson on the Thomas Jefferson Library, students discover a methodology for creative writing by examining Jefferson's letter to congress explaining why they should purchase...
Curated OER
Louisiana Purchase
Students explore U.S. territorial expansion. In this Louisiana Purchase lesson, students investigate how the purchase was funded and determine how diplomatic actions were part of the land transfer. Students analyze several primary...
Curated OER
The Declaration of Independence: From Rough Draft to Proclamation
Students discover how the Declaration of Independence transformed from a draft to a treasured historical document. In this Declaration of Independence activity, students discuss the context in which Jefferson wrote the document and...
Curated OER
Politics and Leadership
Students research a historic leader and analyze how a philosopher's writings influenced the ruler in an essay. In this philosophy of government lesson plan, students view a video and participate in a class discussion on how great...
Curated OER
The Presidents of Mount Rushmore
Students understand the importance of Mount Rushmore as a national symbol. In this Mount Rushmore lesson, students locate Mount Rushmore on the map and investigate each of the four Presidents on Mount Rushmore. Students understand how...
Curated OER
Famous Thomas Jefferson Quote
In this famous quote instructional activity, students read a famous quote by Thomas Jefferson, write their opinion of what it is about and then write a sentence or 2 about a time that they rebelled against something.
Curated OER
The Louisiana Purchase
In this Historical Facts worksheet, students read a passage about the Louisiana Purchase and answer 8 fill in the blank and 7 true/false questions.
Curated OER
Lewis and Clark for Grades PreK-2
Learners read the "The Journey Begins" article and discuss why people want to discover new lands and why it is still exciting today. They are introduced to the idea that Lewis and Clark sent back discoveries to President Thomas...
Curated OER
Johnny Tremain for the 21st Century
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the American Revolution based on the novel, 'Johnny Tremain.' They define key vocabulary terms, develop a timeline, write a report on a colonial craft, make a colonial flag, and create a...
Curated OER
I'm Number One!
Fourth graders complete a unit of lessons on the first seven presidents of the U.S. They conduct research, write a four-paragraph essay, and create posters and speeches for a simulated campaign convention.
Curated OER
A Wolf by the Ear
Students examine Thomas Jefferson's complex and contradictory relationship with slavery.
Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson on the Sedition Act
Students research and cite arguments Jefferson used in objecting to the Sedition Act. They discuss Jefferson's opinion on how constitutional questions about the Sedition Act could be resolved.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Lesson 2: The Debate in Congress on the Sedition Act
Pupils research and discuss the provisions in the Constitution that supported the arguments for and against the Sedition Act. They articulate objections to and arguments in favor of the Sedition Act.
Curated OER
From the White House of Yesterday to the White House of Today: A President's Home and the President's House
Stduents look closely at what one President did at his home in contrast to what Presidents have done in the White House. They take a virtual tour of the White House and Monticello.
Curated OER
The Embodied Presidency
Eighth graders discover details about Thomas Jefferson's life. In this early American history lesson, 8th graders view a PowerPoint presentation that outlines some aspects of Jefferson's life. Students research the life of slaves at...
Curated OER
Deism: Paine and Jefferson Student Worksheet
In this Deism worksheet, students read an article about the opinions of Thomas Paine and Thomas Jefferson. Students then respond to 12 short answer questions.
Curated OER
The Declaration of Independence (1776)
In this online interactive history activity, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about the Declaration of Independence.
Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson
In this online interactive history worksheet, students respond to 10 short answer and essay questions about the accomplishments of Thomas Jefferson . Students may check some of their answers on the interactive worksheet.
Curated OER
Declaration of Independence: Created Equal?
Learners examine how Jefferson dealt with equality. In this lesson on the Declaration of Independence, students use primary sources to analyze what the phrase, "All men are created equal" meant. They will compare what they think equality...
Curated OER
Beyond Louisiana
Eleventh graders examine the challenges that faced United States as a new nation. In this American History lesson, 11th graders study the chronology of events leading up to the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Students organize...
Curated OER
Presidents and the Constitution: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and the Barbary Pirates
Students explore the Barbary Pirates of the Mediterranean. In this American history instructional activity, students read a narrative regarding the conflict between the Barbary Pirates and the United States under the leadership of...
Curated OER
Rollin' Down the River
Students examine the contributions of Lewis and Clark. In this Louisiana Purchase lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding the Lewis and Clark expedition.