EngageNY
Analyzing Author’s Point of View: Earthquake Excerpt of “Comprehending the Calamity”
How do authors convey their points of view? Using the resource, scholars read an excerpt from a primary source document about the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Then, they complete graphic organizers to analyze the author's point of view.
Library of Congress
Oral History and Social History
Students examine the Great Depression. In this oral and social histories instructional activity, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the America in the 1930's.
Curated OER
What was Rationing?
Young scholars analyze primary source documents to learn about World War II. In this world history lesson, students use cheese and bread rationing coupons issued during the second World War to gather information about the documents and...
Curated OER
Tools of the Historian: Primary vs. Secondary Sources
Learners identify the difference between primary and secondary sources. They discuss the importance of evaluating all sources they might use. They read primary and secondary sources that relate to the colonial period.
Curated OER
Courtship and Marriage
Students research the concept of courtship and marriage as it pertains to early New England and explore the values and culture that shaped our history. In this courtship and marriage lesson, students examine primary source documents that...
Curated OER
The Poetry of Chinese Immigration
Numerous people from China immigrated to the US during the era of industrialization and expansion. Provide your class with a glimpse into the life of a Chinese immigrant through the poetry they left behind. They then compose a poem of...
Curated OER
Teacher Notes
Gathering information, distinguishing between arguments, preparing an oral presentation; these skills are fostered as 10th graders explore aspects of global trade and politics. They use the Internet to gather information about NATO, The...
Curated OER
The Question of Annexation
Students examine the sequence of events that led up to the annexation of Texas to the United States. They create a timeline of significant events, analyze primary source letters from this time period, and write a letter from the point of...
Curated OER
Teaching With Documents Lesson Plan: "A Date Which Will Live in Infamy"
Your class examines F.D.R.'s speech for examples of repetition, alliteration, emotionally charged words, etc. They listen to the speech and interview a person who heard it delivered. They finish by writing an article about the experience.
Polk County Public Schools
The French and Indian War
Sharpen those pencils and get to writing with a series of document-based questions about the French and Indian War. High schoolers focus on maps, letters, and other primary documents from the 18th century before answering writing prompts...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Rise and Fall of Joseph McCarthy
"I have here in my hand . . ." The war against Communism and Joseph McCarthy’s place in it are the focus of a series of lessons examining postwar America from 1945-1954. Joseph McCarthy takes center stage in this, the final lesson...
Middle Tennessee State University
John Brown: Hero or Villain?
"Love it or leave it." "You're either for us or against us." Rhetoric and it's polarizing effects are the focus of a lesson that uses John Brown's attack on Harper's Ferry as an exemplar. Groups examine primary source documents,...
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Alabama's Secession in 1861: Embraced with Joy and Great Confidence. Why?
From December 20, 1860 to June 8, 1861, eleven states seceded from the Union. Alabama seceded on January 11, 1861. Why did so many white Alabamians want to secede? Why did they believe the South could win the war? These are the essential...
Alabama Department of Archives and History
Cells for Sale - Convict Leasing in Alabama
The benefits and drawbacks of convict leasing following the Civil War are the focus of a lesson that asks groups to examine primary source materials to gain an understanding of the program before individuals decide whether they...
Alabama Department of Archives and History
"Scottsboro Boys": A Trial Which Defined an Age
Here's a must-have resource. Whether your focus is racism, the Great Depression, the "Scottsboro Boys" trial, or part of a reading of To Kill A Mockingbird, the information contained in the seven-page packet will save hours of...
Curated OER
American Civil War: Conflicting Newspaper Reports
Students examine the happenings at the Battle of Antietam from all sides. In this American Civil War lesson, students analyze newspapers accounts from different perspectives regarding the battle and then write their own accounts of the...
Curated OER
Danger on the Underground Railroad
Student examines the role of the Underground railroad. In this Post-Civil War instructional activity, 7th graders read and analyze primary sources. Students create a timeline that details the events of the stories.
Curated OER
Worksheet for Analysis of Sheet Music
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students respond to 20 short answer questions that require them to analyze sheet music of their choice.
Curated OER
Underground Railroad Tic-Tac-Toe
Students discover details about the Underground Railroad. In this slavery lesson, students read primary documents about fugitive slaves and analyze the sources using the provided worksheets.
Curated OER
World War II: A United Front
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this World War II lesson plan, students examine racial relations during the war and then examine propaganda techniques employed by the United...
Curated OER
Responses to Discrimination During the Civil Rights Period
Students examine the effects of discrimination. In this American Civil Rights Movement lesson, students participate in a classroom activity that requires them to personally feel the effects of discrimination. Students then explore...
Curated OER
North Platte Canteen and World War II
Students employ primary resources to investigate the rise and decline of a canteen in World War II. The significance of volunteerism and the use of the railroad for troop transportation are examined.
Curated OER
Lesson PlanThe Huexotzinco Codex
Middle schoolers examine primary sources that include pictographs from Puebla, Mexico. In this Huexotzinco Codex lesson, students perform historical analysis as they investigate the codex as they make inferences and draw conclusions...
Curated OER
American Soldiers’ Experiences During WWI
Students investigate the effects of war on soldiers. For this World War I lesson, students link to the provided Web link to locate primary sources about American soldiers during the war. Students write historical narratives based on...