What is in a name? Eager historians trace the geographical history of places in the United States with Spanish names. Using a worksheet activity, clues, and web research developed in conjunction with the PBS "Latinos in America" series,...

Discuss how political postcards affected everyday people's thoughts and beliefs. Pupils continue a unit on the Dreyfus Affair as they engage in class discussion, watch a video, view a PowerPoint presentation, and fill out worksheets to...

Junior geologists work through three mini-lessons that familiarize them with the formation and location of fossil fuels. Part one involves reading about petroleum and where it comes from via a thorough set of handouts. A lab activity...

Students focus on the geography of the countries of South America. Using a map, they identify the European countries who claimed the South American countries and research the influences they had on South America. To end the lesson...

Third graders examine maps and map keys. In this locating map features lesson plan, 3rd graders use crayons, markers and colored pencils to label maps. Students work in partners to read map keys and locate given places and things.

Students identify the legend and map symbols. In this map skills lesson, students use a world map to find various locations using a map key.

The Mexican-American War created social borders—not just physical ones. Scholars learn about the effects of the Mexican-American War on the people living in the borderlands using text excerpts, maps, and partnered activities. Academics...

Sixth graders examine the many challenges facing the nations of Latin America today.  In this World Geography lesson plan, 6th graders analyze various documents that will help strengthen democracy.  Students create a visual...

Students identify the differences between maps and globes. In this map skills instructional activity, students are shown a globe and a map and recognize the differences. Students use post-it notes to locate several locations on the world...

Combine a fantastic review of primary source analysis with a study of Captain John Smith's influence on the Chesapeake Bay region in the seventeenth century. Your young historians will use images, a primary source excerpt, and maps...

Students locate country capitals on a world map. In this map skills lesson plan, students review the definition of the word country and discuss what a capital is. Students locate and label capital cities on a world map using a map marker.

Geography has played a complex role in America history. The Atlantic Ocean has served as a buffer to protect the United States from European Wars, but its proximity to Cuba, however, left it vulnerable to nuclear war during the Cuban...

Students study the Revolutionary War. In this colonial America lesson, students read Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes. Students discuss chapter 1 as they respond to the provided discussion questions.

Fifth graders explore American history by viewing videos on the Internet. In this Japanese internment lesson, 5th graders discuss the politics that took place between America and Japan during WWII and why it was necessary to incarcerate...

Students define the meaning of country capital. In this country capital instructional activity, students identify the symbol and find country capitals. Students locate and label capital cities on a map and insert the capital symbol.

Students examine political presence of Hudson's Bay Company, explore economic impact of European demand for beaver pelts and the fur trapping trade, and practice counting in Chinook Jargon.

Eleventh graders explore the Merchants of death thesis.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders explain the Neutrality Laws.  Students assess the overall effectiveness of US neutrality policy. 

Students study Fort Vancouver. They discuss trading and what is meant by "a skin for a skin." They complete math story problems that represent possible trading scenarios. They explore the Chinook Jargon trade language.