US National Archives
WWII: The Pacific 1939-45 – Japan and the Atom Bomb
Though the scientists who developed the atom bomb did not believe it should be used to end World War II, American President Harry S. Truman and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill were of like mind in their decision to drop the bomb...
Curated OER
William Howard Taft National Historical Site
Students examine the role William Howard Taft played in American History. They analyze his background and how he got to be president. They compare qualities of leaders today to Taft.
K20 Learn
(Mis)Reported and (Mis)Remembered: The Vietnam War
What are the complicated legacies of the Vietnam War? Learners consider the question as they examine videos and primary sources from the conflict. After examining footage and documents such as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and an op-ed...
Smithsonian Institution
Cuban Missile Crisis
The United States—specifically John F. Kennedy—played a large role during the Cuban Missile Crisis. A history resource poses questions that encourage critical thinking as well as in-depth analysis of images from the time period.
Curated OER
Social Security
Young scholars examine the official website for the Social Security Administration. They learn the history of the program and what it is supposed to do for Americans. They compare social security with other types of retirement accounts.
EngageNY
Drawing a Conclusion from an Experiment (part 1)
Challenge your classes to complete an experiment from beginning to end. Learners make their own hypotheses, collect and analyze their own data, and make their own conclusions. They are on their way to becoming statisticians!
Curated OER
Campus Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
Students brainstorm the campus links to global warming. Students pick topics for individual or group research. Students develop a research plan. Students keep good records and report their progress. Students report findings both...
Curated OER
Volunteering For Others
Learners research the kind of volunteer options for teens in their area. They estimate the number of teens who do volunteer by conducting a simple survey. Students display findings in a paper and in charts.
Curated OER
Reaganomics Debate
Students examine the effectiveness of 'trickle down' economics. In this "Reaganomics" lesson, students use readings, analogies, discussion and debate to understand basic economic concepts. Students will analyze the what they think are...
Curated OER
What are the Conditions for Victory in Iraq?
Learners view a video clip about the war in Iraq. They discuss how the coalition forces know when they have won. They read an article about the situation as well.
Curated OER
Railroads in Antebellum Augusta and Franklin Counties
Eleventh graders are divided up into groups and work on separate worksheets. They reassemble as a class and discuss the different articles and how the railroads affected people's lives.
Curated OER
Bird Flu Worries Humans
Students examine what the bird flu is and how it spreads through an interactive program and videos. They discover why doctors are concerned about a pandemic. They examine other pandemics in the United States and how to prepare for them.
Curated OER
Staying Alert and Fit to Drive a Truck
Learners examine the safety concerns of driving while sleepy. In this driving safety lesson students come up with techniques that can help drivers stay alert on the road.
Curated OER
Breaking News: International Coalition Attacks Libya (March 20th, 2011)
Students explore current events by completing a list of worksheet activities. In this Libyan history instructional activity, students read a news article discussing the problems with Gaddafi in Libya and the effect it is having in the...
Curated OER
What Causes AIDS?
Twelfth graders in an ESL classroom use the internet to research the causes of AIDS. As a class, they discuss the topics mentioned in the various websites and determine if they are viable causes for the disease. They create a...