University of California
The Civil War: Lincoln’s Speeches
Abraham Lincoln is responsible for uniting the states during the most tumultuous periods in American history, and for his elegant oratory that kept the Union believing in its cause. Young histoians analyze various speeches by America's...
Folger Shakespeare Library
Julius Caesar Curriculum Guide
Julius Caesar need not be Greek to kids. The background information and suggestions for teachers, as well as the activities for learners, make this curriculum guide a must-have for your Shakespeare curriculum library.
Curated OER
An Anecdote is Worth a Thousand Pictures
Students identify anecdotes in speeches and the purposes that politicians use the anecdotes for. They create personal anecdotes for the class to hear, and students decide if the anecdote is real or fabricated.
Curated OER
Ho Chi Minh and Freedom of Speech
Students explore freedom of speech. Individually, they complete a K-W-L chart. Students participate in a "Stand If You Can" activity where they make statements regarding the freedom of speech. Students stand if they agree with the...
Curated OER
Eloquent Words
Logan’s Lament, a speech delivered by Mingo Chief Logan in 1774, provides pupils with an opportunity to not only study the historical events surrounding the battle between Native Americans and the Europeans for the West Virginia...
Curated OER
United States Entry into World War I: Two Diametrically Opposed Views
Students analyze the events leading to U.S. entry into World War I. They read a speech by President Wilson and an opposition speech, list the reasons each gives for American entry into the war, and complete a Venn diagram.
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To Be or Not to Be
Students gather information about setting goals through a variety of activities. In this setting goals lesson, students view a PowerPoint that explains the outcomes of the project, take notes, interview a local business person, write a...
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Comparing Kwakiutl, Cheyenne and Navajo tribes
Third graders study the difference between the Kwakiutl, Cheyenne and Navajo tribes. They identify the people, resources, lifestyle and beliefs of the Kwakiutl, Cheyenne, and Navajo Indians. Afterward, they present their projects on each...
Curated OER
Understanding the Declaration of Independence
Learners work in groups to do a document analyxix of several documents. Students view the Martin Luther King speech, "I Have a Dream." They discuss the Battle of Saratoge. Learners give a personal view of the reason the Declaration of...
Curated OER
A Response to Chaim Rumkowski's, "Give Me Your Children" Speech
Students examine the history of the ghettos and read Rumkowski's letter. Using journal and diary entries, they identify types of resistance used during the Holocaust. Writing a letter, they use references to Rumkowski's original letter...
Curated OER
Placing the State of the Union in Historical Context
Students review the history of the State of the Union addresses and work in groups to analyze one particular speech as a reflection of its times. They compare modern State of the Union speeches to those given in the past.
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Frederick Douglass: If There Is No Stuggle, There Is No Progress
Students explore Frederick Douglass's method of resisting slavery. In this Frederick Douglas lesson, students read a speech given by Douglas regarding his theories of resistance. Students discuss the speech and then write their own...
Curated OER
Treaties
Sixth graders research treaties. In this treaties instructional activity, 6th graders go online to build knowledge about treaties. Students read information and take quizzes. Students write a comparative essay about how the Aboriginal...
Curated OER
Using the Commentaries in Class
Students examine language and communication by listening to a commentary radio show. In this communications lesson, students listen to Michael Josephson's radio broadcast using the Internet and analyze his words and their meaning....
Library of Congress
Determining Point of View: Paul Revere and the Boston Massacre
If you're teaching point of view, this is the lesson for you! First, decipher the writer's point of view from a primary resource, then compare and contrast the primary source with a secondary source to explore the Paul Revere's engraving...
Curated OER
"Let Me Sing A Carefree Song Once More:" Poetry of Hidden Children
Pupils read various poems dealing with hidden children during the Holocaust. Using the texts, they discuss the poems meaning with their classmates. They present their information to the class taking turns on who is speaking. They...
Curated OER
Campaign Posters 1788-1816
Seventh graders examine the first years of the U.S. under the U.S. Constitution. They identify the main themes of the Federalist and Republican parties, conduct research, and write a campaign speech and create a campaign poster.
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Harriet Tubman: Recognizing the Human Agency
Tenth graders examine the contributions of Harriet Tubman to the history of Canada. They read a handout, complete a handout in small groups, and write a speech evaluating how Harriet Tubman changed history.
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The Great Explorers
Students examine the importance of culture and economy changes that occurred due to the great explorations. In this explorations lesson, students create a list of major explorers. Students focus on one main exploration and give an oral...
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Write Right Back
Third graders explore communications by utilizing technology. In this e-mail writing lesson, 3rd graders identify important elements to include when writing an e-mail based on whether it's to a friend, colleague or employer. Students...
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Valentine's Day Hearts
Students consider idiomatic expressions that use the word, "heart". They illustrate an assigned idiom and present it to the class. They use the illustrations to guess which idiom is being represented.
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Famous Virginians
Fourth graders research the lives of famous people from Virginia. Using the internet, they take notes in a blank flipbook given to them by their teacher. They write a speech in first person of the famous Virginian they researched and...
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I Know I Can
Students explore the concept of philanthropy, and identify specific philanthropic agencies in their community. They participate in philanthropic opportunities, and develop persuasive arguments to encourage others to give of their own...
Curated OER
The Arms Race - From the Beginning to the End
Ninth graders focus on the political and technological developments of the Cold War. They, in groups, read and summarize the speech they are given. They should provide a short presentation based on their interpretation.