Curated OER
Living in the Oak Woodlands: Early People of the Jewett Mine Area
Students examine the archeology and native peoples of the Jewett Mine area of Texas. Using a map, they explain the economic patterns of the native groups and how the geography of the area affected activities. They compare and contrast...
Curated OER
Marian Anderson: From Page to Stage
Learners become immersed in a compelling anecdote of the civil rights movement through the experience of constructing dramatic scripts. An added goal is to equip students, through this "hands-on" experience, to critique dramatic...
Curated OER
Desegregating the Kentucky Public School System
Middle schoolers watch a video which chronicles the struggle to desegregate Kentucky's schools. They write a paper on a given aspect of what they saw in the video.
Curated OER
Plants for Pleasure and Profit
Young scholars study about some of the specimens collected or diagrammed by Lewis and Clark, discuss their usefulness, and rank their importance. They write a persuasive essay detailing the plants they thought the most important.
Curated OER
Ethnic Culture and Identity in the Columbia River Basin, 1850-1950
Students explore cultural history of immigrant groups that settled in the Columbia River Basin from 1850 to World War II, and examine various primary sources to explore role cultural and social customs played in keeping alive immigrant...
Curated OER
"The Father of Lavish Advertising": P.T. Barnum
Learners examine the life and work of P.T. Barnum. They discover his advertising techniques and business practices. They examine his use of people with disabilities for amusement.
Curated OER
Understanding Treaties: Students Explore the Lives of Yakama People Before and After Treaties
Students examine the impact of treaties on the Yakama nation. They discover the importance of land and how they felt when their land was taken away. They role-play the positions of both the Yakama and citizens of the United States.
Curated OER
Inventions over Time
Sixth graders examine inventions, such as spear points and bows and arrows, and discuss their importance in human cultural development. They compare these early inventions with modern ones and determine the impact of science and...
Curated OER
Hispanics in Indianapolis
Eighth graders explore the history of the Indianapolis Hispanic Community and create an illustrated timeline of Hispanics in Indianapolis beginning from 1870 and ending in 1999, while exploring local social issues of the past and present.
Curated OER
The Study of the Spanish-Speaking People of Texas: Daily Life
Students analyze the different ways that photography helps historians understand the lives of people who lived in the past. They examine images from Russell Lee's photo essay and discuss how Texas' has changed from an agrarian to an...
Curated OER
Exhibition: Nathan Oliveira
Students examine the life and works of Nathan Oliveira. In groups, they discuss his influences on the type of art he made and how his emotions are reflected in his artwork. They also note the characteristics of each section of the...
Curated OER
Presenting Your Community
Middle schoolers research the history of a notable building and prepare a Power Point presentation to be used on the online scrapbook. They research the location of the building in the community, the architectural style and the date of...
Curated OER
Three Days at Gettysburg
Eighth graders discuss why the Battle of Gettysburg was important to the Civil War. In groups, they identify the major events of each day of the battle. They analyze how the battle changed the direction of the war and discuss the outcome.
Curated OER
VA Statute for Religious Freedom, II. Matching Activity
High schoolers read and analyze primary source documents. In this matching lesson, students read sections of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. High schoolers match the document sections with paraphrased sections and discuss the...
Curated OER
Africans and Women in Jamestown
Students examine the first settlement at Jamestown and its citizens. Using the internet, they discover the role of women and Africans in Jamestown. They role play what the settlement was like before and after women and Africans coming...
Curated OER
National Park Service: Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
Site explains the federal law that was passed in 1990 that protects Native American cultural items: the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act(NAGPRA). The site answers FAQ on the NAGPRA and keeps online databases of...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of the American Indian: Infinity of Nations
Exhibtion of artwork and artifacts from geographic regions across the Americas highlights the historic significance and diversity of material culture produced by Native Americans, past to present. With examples of textiles, ceramics,...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: Artifacts & Fiction Pair Finder
Pair artifacts with appropriate literary texts, and find tips for using them together in the classroom by selecting a literary movement and a discipline with this handy tool.
Discovery Education
Discovery Education: What Artifacts Reveal About the Past
This site provides a lesson plan to teach the importance of analyzing artifacts, past and present.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of American History: The Price of Freedom: Americans at War
View comprehensive sets of artifacts that tell the story of America's wartime past and present. Artifacts from every major American military conflict, beginning with the American Revolution, can be closely examined. Full curatorial notes...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Artifact & Analysis: Historical Interpretation
A companion to American history courses, Artifact & Analysis features historical artifacts and documents about consumerism and the nation expanding, teacher's guide, writing assignments, and essays.
Other
American Centuries, View From New England
A multi-purpose site that provides information on history and historic artifacts from New England. There are also some interesting games that serve to enhance learning about New England. Be sure to watch video demonstrations of Early...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of the American Indian: Infinity of Nations
Learn about ten North and South American Native American nations by playing the Infinity of Nations Culture Quest game. Examine Native American crafts and artifacts that are part of Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian,...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Masculine Heroes: Walt Whitman
American Passages presents a concise biography of nineteenth century progressive American poet, Walt Whitman. See "Walt Whitman Activities" for artifacts and activities.