Seventh graders investigate the role of South Carolina in the Spanish American War. In this imperialism lesson, 7th graders analyze primary documents and photographs, in collaborative groups, to determine how the state was involved in...

What was it like to pass through Ellis Island? Learners move through the immigration process of the early 1900s in a simulation activity. A comprehensive activity includes role-playing profiles and other manipulative items such as...

Learners explore the concept of political cartoons. In this political cartoons lesson, students examine political cartoons from different time periods in American history and respond to questions regarding them.

From 1500-2000, an interactive timeline details important events related to Latino Americans. Next, to each date are small, yet informative blurbs—some of which include videos. 

Students review the meaning and application of primary and secondary sources in research. They determine how researchers locate primary source documents before looking at signatures as a validating factor on many primary sources....

Eighth graders study the history of Lincoln's home.  In this American History lesson, 8th graders examine artifacts from his home to learn about his beliefs.  Students participate in a webquest on Lincoln's home. 

Students examine the quality of sources in research in the process of gaining an understanding of the Spanish American War, American expansionism, and the role of missionaries in history. They meet in groups to provide an audio/visual...

Young scholars explore what the Bermuda triangle is and the theories as to why it is so mysterious.  In this mystery lesson students read and discuss the history and the mystery behind the Bermuda Triangle. 

In this music worksheet, students investigate the history of music and the musical style of the Caribbean islands. Students read a 1 page information sheet about the region and its music. Students answer 8 questions.

Students explore the era of imperialism and expansion of the United States. In this American history instructional activity, students play a game regarding the U.S. attempts to expand the nation in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

In this American foreign policy worksheet, students respond to 20 essay questions about expansionism in the country during the 20th century.      

Third graders examine coins to become familiar with architectural structures.  In this past meets present lesson, 3rd graders research and complete worksheets on Guam.  Students combine their group research into pieces of the...

Students explore how waste disposal has changed over time and what the current issues are.  In this disposal lesson students collect data and create graphs.

High schoolers read "Geographical Mobility: 1995-2000." They examine the maps in the handouts and compare them with maps from an atlas. In the second part of this lesson, students read "In Harm's Way." They receive three more handouts,...

In this Caribbean music worksheet, 8th graders read about the cultural background of the Caribbean nations and about the characteristics of the music. They examine call and response, ostinato, and syncopated rhythms. They answer 8...

Activity in which students read informational text on the the history of Puerto Rico as a territory of the United States, and then decide on the political status of Puerto Rico. Individual, group and class work. Links to list of resources.

This site provides a collection that portrays the early history of the commonwealth of Puerto Rico through first-person accounts, political writings, and histories drawn from the Library of Congress.

Located about a thousand miles southeast of Florida, Puerto Rico is a Caribbean archipelago with a complex colonial history and political status. As a territory of the United States, Puerto Rico's 3.2 million residents are U.S. citizens....

This collection uses primary sources to explore Puerto Rican migration to the US.

In this tutorial, students learn about the history of American acquisition of new territories including those that became states and those in other parts of the world. America's involvement with the Panama Canal is also covered. A PDF...

Discusses the causes, events, and consequences of the Spanish-American War and how the United States acquired several territories in the aftermath. Includes questions for students at end.

This primary source set uses maps, documents, and photographs to tell the story of Puerto Rican migration to the United States.

Knowing how to read the language is just as important as knowing how to speak it. This activity is geared towards reading comprehension, correct pronunciation of words, and translation of the words that are read. This activity will also...

Students explore the geography of the United States as well as its territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam. Students learn a brief history of the U.S. territories as well as some of the major American landmarks.