Curated OER
Juvenile Delinquency
Ninth graders analyze and interpret historical research by examining, analyzing, and forming opinions regarding primary resources. They compare/contrast social conflict, its causes and effects, in regards to continuity and change over time.
Curated OER
Analysis of Dorothea Lange's Photographs
Students analyze a photo of Dorothea Lange and make connections to its historical context by creating a written and visual response. In this photograph analysis lesson, students analyze Lange's photograph and explain the historical...
Curated OER
Letters from Lincoln
Fourth graders explore the childhood of Lincoln and pioneer life in early Indiana. Students respond to literature and write a story using historical fiction. Students explore the writings of President Lincoln and the pioneer community...
Curated OER
The Panama Canal Treaties: How Treaties Are Ratified
High schoolers gain an understanding of how the executive and legislative branches, influenced by popular opinion, work toward the ratification of a treaty. They examine the influences and impact of lobbying and special interests in the...
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Pioneers Heading West
Young scholars research Pacific Northwest Pioneers in order to create a bio-web poster about the author in which they illustrate and write facts about the pioneer. Students then create a book page about their pioneer to add to a class...
Curated OER
Navajo Code Talkers
An engaging instructional activity focuses on the contributions of the Navajo people during World War II. Learners read the book Navajo Code Talkers by Andrew Santella, answer a series of comprehension questions about the text, and write...
Curated OER
Understanding Wilderness
Students research and analyze an historical wilderness issue or event after discussing opinions on preservation of wilderness and key players and events in the history of wilderness preservation. After research is complete, students...
Curated OER
Social Studies: Native american Tribal Sovereignty
Students examine the issue of tribal sovereignty for Native Americans. Following a mock trial simulation based on the case of Johnson v. McIntosh, they write opinion papers based on the results of the Supreme Court decision in 1823.
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The Death Penalty -- Background and Quiz
High schoolers participate in an activity about the death penalty. In groups, they research the history of corporal punishment and take notes on interesting facts. They identify and discuss the arguments for and against the use of it and...
Curated OER
The Dialogues of Difference
Students research the 1067 Newark riots and examine photographs of the riots for clues as to when they were taken and what was going on. They view different historical perspectives on the riots and then write dialogues based on the...
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To Vote or Not To Vote
Ninth graders discuss if it was worth some groups fighting for the right to vote. In groups, they participate in a debate in which they discuss whether the right to vote is a responsiblity by its members. They create their own piece of...
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Social Studies: Indian Land Claims
Learners examine the Maine Indian Land Claims Case and determine the equity of the settlement. In groups, they evaluate and defend various topics related to the case and complete worksheets clarifying their positions. After presenting...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Exploring Korea
A thorough and fun lesson on Korea! In groups of four (Social Chair, Historian, Translator, Travel Agent) class members research North and South Korea to determine a good location for an overseas institute for studying abroad. Once this...
Curated OER
Men of Steel
Learners explore early 20th century steel making. In this U.S. history steel making lesson, students view and describe a postcard and a picture depicting exaggerated aspects of the steel industry. Learners listen to a poem about Joe...
Library of Virginia
Life as a Liberated People
Imagine having no control over your life and then suddenly having to provide for yourself. Such was the challenge faced by many American slaves after emancipation. Class members are asked to consider these challenges are they examine...
Library of Virginia
Antebellum Freedom
From indentured servitude to involuntary race-based servitude, slavery has taken many forms in American history. Class members examine three manumission petitions that reveal how the rights of African Americans and African American...
Curated OER
You're Invited...To A Tea Party
Kids read the book Boston Tea Party by Steven Kroll and use maps to locate various landmarks. They identify the cause and effect of the events related to the Boston Tea Party, then write a descriptive composition.
Curated OER
Problem Solution Writing
Students, after brainstorming possible problem solving activities, choose from one of the many and write what the problem is and a solution to solve it.
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Folklore and Oral History
Learners listen to a lecture about the tradition of story telling and oral history. They research three examples of African American and/or Negro Leagues oral tradition. they work in groups of four, and decide on one example from their...
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Indian Removal to the Great American Desert
Seventh graders examine American policies to relocate Native Americans. In this Native American history lesson, 7th graders determine why Native Americans were relocated and investigate their response to the policies as they analyze...
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EARLY CIVILIZATIONS
Middle schoolers compare and contrast the monuments of four ancient cultures and draw conclusions about the origins, construction, and purposes of these structures.
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MEDIEVAL SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
Seventh graders examine the area of medieval Sub-Saharan Africa through eyes of travelers in the company of one of history's greatest travelers, Ibn Battuta. The project has been structured to include all the State standards for this unit.
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Conflict Resolution in the World Today: Introduction to Current World conflicts, their Antecendents, the Progression, and their Potential Conclusions
Students write a paragraph describing a conflict they had with a friend or a family member and a paragraph explaining how it was resolved. In this social science lesson plan, students share their paragraphs with a partner and then will...
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Questions of War and Peace: Using Case Studies to Teach the History of American Foreign Policy
Students read three case studies to focus on how the United States dealt with foreign policy issues. In groups, they read about the decision to drop the atomic bomb, the commitment of troops to Vietnam and wwhether to send troops to...