Students identify the different forms of civic engagement. They identify their responsibilities at the different levels of government. They also analyze young leaders running for office.

Railways not only cross the US, but they are also intertwined with the history of America. Using a timeline format, individuals explore the connections between major events in American history—such as the Civil War—and the rise of the...

The class reads an explanation of the how the ancient calculation tool, the abacus, works. They examine four abacus images and record the number shown on each of them.

If you are looking for an aid in teaching about safety in our food industry, this presentation might fit the bill. It begins by telling the history of food laws and development of the regulatory agencies. Each agency is described in...

Students examine the building of the I & M canal in Chicago. Using the internet, they research the lives of the individuals who worked on the construction and develop a timeline of events. They explore the impact of the canal on...

Students research a President from the United States. In this United States history lesson, students read about their selected President and record interesting facts. Students design a monument for the President they researched.

Pupils examine the painting, Spring on the Missouri. They role-play and discuss floods and flood control from the views of an environmental lobbyist and a farmer.

After presenting the "Early People of Louisiana and a Meeting of Different Worlds" PowerPoint, also found on LessonPlanet.com, you can use the attached two-slide PowerPoint to quickly assess your students. They are prompted to answer...

Pupils define conservation, exploitation and preservation, identify legislation related to conservation and environmental issues, and identify leaders and organizations that were key to the conservation and environmental movements.

Have your class learn through exploration. They use their texts and go on a US Constitutional scavenger hunt. Included are 45 questions they must hunt to find answers to. This plan uses the text as the main resource, why not give clues...

Thanksgiving means an untimely demise for thousands of turkeys every year. This turkey Q and A provides nine questions bringing facts and statistics of turkey consumption to the discussion table. There is an answer key that provides full...

Test your U.S. history class on what they know about Federalism and the division of power. There are 5 matching and 5 multiple choice questions to solve. Questions relate to the American federal system, US Constitution, national...

Students write an essay from rough draft to final copy about the Underground Railroad. Civil disobedience is researched from a variety of sources. There is a prewriting exercise that is included in the lesson. The whole writing process...

5th graders will receive a brief overview of the interactions between the English, Colonists, and Native Americans during the Early Colonial Period. This presentation includes thoughtful discussion questions, images, and a link to a...

Most students at some point in their schooling have to complete a state report. This presentation focuses on Kentucky. It could be used as an exploration of this state, or as a template for students' own state reports.

How do you introduce the topic of slavery to your youngest learners? The Sneetches, by Dr. Suess, is a great introduction to the idea of being different. Read the story to your class, and discuss desegregation in...

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...

Looking for resources that explore alternative perspectives of the Christopher Columbus story? Check out the images, videos, cartoons, primary source documents, and other texts in a packet designed to spark...

Just how alike are some historical documents? Discover the similarities between the Magna Carta and the United States Bill of Rights in a fast-paced activity. Historians learn the importance of both documents and the lasting impact they...

During World War II people saw how far the government's control would go, but it was at the expense of its citizens. The resource brings the conditions of Japanese American internment camps to light using primary documents. Scholars...

September 11th was a terrible tragedy with long-reaching consequences. Scholars learn about the Islamophobia that occurred to many Muslim Americans following the 9/11 attacks. The resource provides videos, articles, and interviews to...

Native Americans lost so much—and gained so little in return. Scholars explore Native Americans' resistance to the United States government. The instructional activity uses primary sources to explore the different forms of protest and...

To understand why the topic of reparations is controversial, young scholars gather background information by reading articles, watching videos, and examining cases where reparations were made. Learners consider the lasting repercussions...

Students create self-portraits using images and words. They discuss portraits from the Memorial Art Gallery, create a self-portrait collage usng images and words from magazines, and complete a worksheet.