See the changes, controversy, and innovations that define postwar American art. The onset of the modern art era in American history is well-defined in this slide-show. You'll see how Abstract Expressionism shifted into conceptual, pop,...

Groups collaborate to create historical documentaries. In this American Civil Rights lesson, groups research primary and secondary sources about the events and people pertinent to the movement in the 1950s and 1960s. They then use...

What inspires furniture designers? As learners of all ages view examples of woodworking used in French and American furniture, they discuss woodworkers' techniques and inspirations. They identify techniques such as veneering and...

Analyze visual texts and describe, in writing, what makes them persuasive. Middle schoolers identify the use of persuasive appeals in formal speech writing, and analyze famous speeches from the 20th century. Use these speeches to focus...

Literature and social studies are definitely linked, and this lesson pulls them together to construct a great learning activity. The class will read several selections written at the turn of the 20th Century. They analyze ads from the...

Here is a complex lesson plan that interweaves the history of the Jim Crow South and the Great Migration with the study of poetry, art, and blues music from the Harlem Renaissance. The plan helps young historians develop a deep...

Young scholars examine pieces of art by African-American artists in the 20th Century. For each piece, they are shown slides of the artwork and others by the artist to identify the techniques used. In groups, they discuss and research...

Have your class create their own art exhibit. Learners study the exchange of artwork between the Louvre in Paris and two American art museums, and create an introductory exhibit featuring European and American art from the Renaissance...

Learners investigate the history of African Americans by researching Harlem.  In this culture lesson, students examine a slide-show of images and identify the great African American singers and performers of the 20th century.  Learners...

The beginning of the 20th century began with a shock: the assassination of President McKinley. The man who would take his place—the youngest American to ever become president—led quite a life before stepping foot in the Oval Office. An...

Race relations in the early 20th century are the focus of a series of activities that asks high schoolers to examine excerpts from five primary source documents to evaluate arguments for and against African American progress....

Images, images. Young people today are surrounded by images and it is critical that they become aware of how they are impacted by these images. Here's a series of activities that encourage learners to develop their skills in reading...

As part of their study of the Progressive Era, class groups examine a 20th century version of "The Three Little Pigs" through a New Era lens and identify how ideals such as the value of hard work, creativity, and problem solving, etc.,...

Students work in small groups to interpret a piece of folk art.  Students first interpret the art without reading the background information, then they investigate the background information of the art.  Last, students present their...

Engage your class in art and history with projects that span multiple disciplines. For this unit, class members research twentieth century history, conduct an interview with someone 60 years old or older, write a biographical narrative,...

The length of Queen Victoria's reign, surpassed only by Queen Elizabeth II in the modern era, stretched through much of the 19th century and into the 20th century. Explore the many social, industrial, and political shifts that occurred...

Discover stories about women's history in beautiful stained glass windows. The second in a three-part series teaches scholars about a famous artistic style of stained glass windows and the influential women that used art to impact...

Eleventh graders read the short story, "The Yellow Wallpaper" before researching women's issues that were prevalent during the twentieth century. They look for connections between women's issues and mental health issues, and discuss...

Students explore several themes relevant to the life of Paul Robeson and the social, artistic, & political realities of the first half of the 20th century, identify and interview heroes in their communities, and publish profiles on...

Young scholars investigate African American history by researching culture. In this Harlem Renaissance lesson, students identify the teachings, music and art associated with African Americans in Harlem in the early 20th century. Young...

How much power should a president be allowed to exert? Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt exercised their power according to their interpretations of the United States Constitution, and these interpretations affected the...

Did you know that umpires first adopted hand signals when baseball's first deaf Major League player, William "Dummy" Hoy, started playing in the late 1800's? Discuss some of the historical impacts the Deaf population had on the 16th...

Gun, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond is one of the seminal works of historical nonfiction from the late 20th century. Use the author's claims and supporting evidence to guide your high school seniors through their own research project,...

Students explore the contributions of African Americans of the 20th century. In this African American history lesson, students examine portraits of Muhammad Ali, Romare Bearden, Lorraine Hansberry, Judith Jamison, and Leontyne Price in...