National History Day
Challenging the Status Quo: Women in the World War I Military
Why are some so resistant to change? The status quo is often to blame for a lack of forward movement in society. Following the events of World War I, women in America suddenly had a voice—and were going to use it. Scholars use the second...
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Native American Cultures for Grades 4-5
Students investigate Native American culture by researching the Internet. In this U.S. History lesson, students read online field reports about exploration and the history of Native Americans in the United States. Students create a...
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World History/Current Events Activity
Students define the term terrorist, and examine how terrorist methods are used to promote fear and endanger the lives of innocent individuals. They analyze why President Bush has declared war on terrorism, and write essays on terrorism.
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Past Imperfect: Examining Secondary Sources of the American Revolution
Ninth graders respond in essay form to the following writing prompt. Mel Gibson, star of The Patriot, is quoted as stating, "If one were to adhere to historical accuracy all the way, you'd probably have the most boring two hours on...
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History: Women Wanting to Work
Students compare and contrast the economic roles of women throughout history in the United States, India, and Israel. After examining pictures of women from various time periods, they share observations. They watch video clips and...
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Internment of Japanese-Americans
Students assess the significance of a watershed event in the political history of the United States . They identify events and issues associated with the internment of Japanese-Americans as a result of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor...
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U.S. And Global Deforestation
Students analyze graph showing global deforestation, view photograph of deforestation in Brazil's interior rain forest and examine three maps showing deforestation within the United States, describe political, economic, and social...
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America and the Sino-Japanese Conflict, 1933-1939
Young scholars examine the U.S. stance regarding the Sino-Japanese conflict. In this diplomacy lesson, students analyze the sanctions employed by United States on Japan when they took over Manchuria. Young scholars determine how actions...
Facing History and Ourselves
American Responses to the Armenian Genocide
Young scholars examine World War I war crimes. In this world history instructional activity, students use primary and secondary sources to research and understand the action taken by the United States during the Armenian Genocide. Young...
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Bridging the gap between the U.S. and Cuba
Eleventh graders examine the events that led to the strained relationship between Cuba and the United States. In this US History lesson, 11th graders create an illustrated timeline of Cuba-U.S. relations. Students write an essay...
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Latinos and the Fourteenth Amendment: A Primary Document Activity
Students explore Latinos and the Fourteenth Amendment. In this government and law lesson plan, students analyze the ruling in Hernandez v. Texas. Students predict how the United States would be different if the court had made an...
National First Ladies' Library
Workers, Take a Holiday! the Beginning of Labor Day
When your upper elementary class returns in the fall, have them identify and define the beginnings of the labor movement and Labor Day in the United States. They thoughtfully reflect on changes that have occurred in the way we think...
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The Founding of Los Angeles, California
Seventh graders examine the social and cultural impact of settler groups in California and the origins of the founding of Los Angeles, California. They read and discuss an informational handout, and discuss what it is and was like to...
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Women Who Inform Our World
Students examine the contributions of women on the international, national, and local platforms. In this writing skills lesson, students analyze a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt and compose essays that reveal how women advocate for social...
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Photojournalism: A Record of War
Students explore who has photographed war and why. They examine Mathew Brady's process for photgraphing the Civil War. Students investigate how photographic equipment has changed and improved through time. They analyze primary source war...
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Why A Bill of Rights?
Examine conflicting viewpoints in this lesson, in which middle schoolers write their own proposal for including a Bill of Rights in the Constitution. As a class, they discover how the Bill of Rights was not a planned document to be...
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The Overextended Society/The Conservative Ascendancy
Students write an essay presenting their understanding of presidential elections and the issues related to presidential elections. Students discuss the effect of immigration on the United States and the major points that swung the nation...
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Organizaton of American States Project
Students discover the Organization of American States by researching currents issues in those countries. They create a PowerPoint presentation and share with the class.
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About Abraham Lincoln
Fifth graders complete a unit of lessons on the life of Abraham Lincoln. They read and analyze a poem, create a timeline, write an essay, research The Gettysburg Address and The Emancipation Proclamation, explore websites, and interview...
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Portraits of Power: American Presidents
Ninth graders explore the presidency of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. In this US History lesson, 9th graders examine the life of Abraham Lincoln. students write an essay describing the presidency and the people's relationship...
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Texas History
Students explore the history of Texas. Through researching factual books and folktales, students share their information about Texas. They discuss the Trail of Tears, Davy Crockett, the flags of Texas, and Sam Houston. Students write a...
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Election of 1860
Students determine how the presidential election of 1860 led to the American Civil War. In this election of 1860 lesson, students discover details regarding the election and hold their own mock debate and election. Students also write an...
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The World of Constitutions: Better Understanding the U.S. Constitution
Students examine the purpose of constitutions. In this government systems lesson, students analyze the sections of the U.S. Constitution. Students then compare the U.S. Constitution to the constitutions of other countries. Students write...
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The South Wins Gettysburg!
Students explore American Civil War, hypothesize that the Union Army was defeated at Gettysburg by Lee's army, and write an essay describing how different North America would be today if the South had won the Civil War.