Curated OER
Write Obama's Inaugural Address
High schoolers practice their public speaking skills. In this interdisciplinary instructional activity, students study speeches delivered by Lincoln, Wilson, F. Roosevelt, and Kennedy. High schoolers write the text Obama's...
Curated OER
The failure of Diplomacy, September-December 1941
Students investigate four main issues of concern between US and Japan prior to US involvement in World War II. In this role play lesson, students will take the role of US and Japanese negotiators trying to find a diplomatic solution to...
Curated OER
Planning a Road Trip!
Students generate plans for a fictitious road trip. For this time management lesson, students investigate the most effective way to travel the country arriving at specific cities. Students create their plans based on time and...
Curated OER
The U.S. Trade Embargo on Cuba
Students examine perspectives for and against the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba, develop a position on the embargo and articulate viewpoints in a public forum.
Curated OER
Women's History Week
Students investigate the contributions of women who influenced human rights in US history. They examine the influence Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth and Elizabeth Cady Stanton by participating in a jigsaw activity....
National Endowment for the Humanities
Eleanor Roosevelt and the Rise of Social Reform in the 1930's
Eleventh graders explore the various roles that Eleanor Roosevelt took on. In this US History activity, 11th graders analyze the views that Eleanor Roosevelt held as an advocate for social justice. High schoolers evaluate her...
Curated OER
Indian Removal: Does History Always Reflect progress?
Learners explore the idea that progress for some might not mean progress for all. In this Native American lesson, students recognize different viewpoints about historical events through the study of primary documents. Learners decipher...
Curated OER
Abolishing Slavery
Students explain the goals and methods of the abolitionist movement.
They identify key leaders in the movement. This lesson has adaptations for elementary through high school. Links are provided for resource readings.
Curated OER
A Nation Divided
Fifth graders participate in various activities related to the Civil War. In this Civil War lesson plan students understand the events and feelings of people during the Civil War by studying primary sources, journal writing, readings,...
Curated OER
Parents' Day
In this Parents' Day activity, students complete activities such as reading a passage, matching phrases, fill in the blanks, correct word choosing, multiple choice, sequencing, unscramble the sentences, write questions, take a survey,...
Curated OER
ESL Holiday Lessons: National Ice Cream Day
In this reading comprehension and vocabulary worksheet, learners read a text about the history of National Ice Cream Day. Students work alone or in partners to complete 144 questions. There are vocabulary matching problems, fill in the...
Curated OER
A Miniscule Adversary: Combating Epidemics and Infectious Diseases in America
Tenth graders discover the spread of different diseases in US. In this health science instructional activity, 10th graders research the role of CDC and PHS in protecting the citizens. They explore documented cases of pandemics and their...
Curated OER
Identify Cause and Effect
Learners listen to a story about school in a one-room schoolhouse. In this cause and effect instructional activity, students create a Venn diagram to find the similarities and differences in schools then and now. Learners discuss...
Curated OER
The Battle of the Battlefields
Middle schoolers simulate the role of a presidential analysis group to research a location for a Revolutionary War museum. They conduct research, and write a summary of their findings to present to the President.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Understanding the Koreas
Though this resource was designed in 2005, US tension with North Korea remains a relevant topic for exploration and understanding. Unfortunately, this lecture and reading-based lesson is unlikely to engage the class. The end product is a...
Curated OER
The Making of a Holiday: MLK, Jr. Day
Students explore the life of Martin Luther King and the Civil Rights Movement. They discuss the events surrounding his death and the significance of the federal holiday honoring Dr. King. As a class, they read about Dr. King's work for...
Curated OER
Grade 8 Unit 4
Eighth graders analyze aspirations and ideals of the people of the new nation, in terms of its physical landscapes and political divisions, and the territorial expansion of the United States during the terms of the first four presidents.
Curated OER
Who Are Your Local Officials?
Students identify the names and positions held by local public officials. In pairs, students research the requirements and duties needed to hold office. A brief presentation of their research will include the names and positions of...
Curated OER
Al Qaeda & the Taliban: What threat to the U.S.?
High schoolers examine the War on Terror. In this national security instructional activity, students read articles about the War on Terror and President Obama's foreign policy. High schoolers respond to discussion questions and...
Curated OER
A Package of Pringle
Here is a problem-solving lesson that has learners take the role of a packaging expert to design an inexpensive means of packaging a potato chip. It could benefit from having more specific detail about the lesson itself, but it does make...
Curated OER
Martin Luther King Day
Invite your advanced ESL learners to explore the US national holiday Martin Luther King day. Play the attached mp3 which is a description of this important holiday and facilitate the phrase match and listening gap activities...
Curated OER
Internet Leaders Scavenger Hunt
In this leaders scavenger hunt worksheet, students research 10 different leaders important to history. First, they read each questions to determine who they need to search for using the Internet. Then, students write their response in a...
PBS
America's Infrastructure: Miller Center National Discussion Debate Series
Junior high and high school learners study infrastructure and its relationship to the current economy. They review handouts, watch a PBS clip, and review case studies in order to answer provided questions and role play over...
Curated OER
United States Entry into World War I: Some Hypotheses About U.S. Entry
Students take a stand on a hypothesis for U.S. entry into World War I, supported by specific evidence.