Curated OER
Immigration; The New Colossus
Seventh graders explore The New Colossus by Emma Lazarus. In this The New Colossus lesson, 7th graders read the poem and analyze its meaning. Students discuss what the poem means about American culture and why it was engraved on the...
US Mint
The Growth of a Nation
Young historians explore the identity of the early United States in this four-part lesson series. Working in groups of three, students research the political, economic, and cultural atmosphere of each member of the...
Curated OER
Using Oral Traditions to Improve Verbal and Listening Skills
Students examine the role of stories in African and African-American cultures. This lesson plan is written for students with visual impairments. They
Curated OER
Searching for Meanings Benath the Surface of the Poem
Students read "Soccer Until Dusk". As a class, they discuss the various settings and actions in the poem and discuss the life in Guatemala and compare it with the United States. To end the lesson, they complete a journal reflection...
Curated OER
The Twentieth Century
Fifth graders summarize a decade in the twentieth century and compare it to another decade. They present facts in a Hyperstudio document that includes text, photos, and audio to describe the decade.
Curated OER
The House at 97 Orchard Street
Students examine the living quarters and belongings of immigrant families living in one tenement building spanning the years from 1830 to 1940. They explain how the national background of immigrants added to the "melting pot" of American...
Curated OER
Prehistoric Native American Lesson Plan: Make a Mississippian-style Gorget
Young scholars create a Mississippian-style gorget using clay and a stylus to etch a design of a stylized spider.
Curated OER
Interchangeable Parts Revolutionize Clock-making
Students consider assembly line production. In this lesson on Industrialization, students explore rifle manufacturing then create a workshop in the classroom to assemble clocks. They determine the pros and cons of assembly line...
Scholastic
Thanksgiving Lessons Grades PreK-2
A quintessential resource for teaching an elementary unit on the first Thanksgiving addresses a variety of skills, including informational reading, critical thinking, comparing and contrasting facts, technology tools, and historical...
Curated OER
First Nations vs. Euro-Americans
Students analyze primary and secondary source documents to help them describe the cooperation and conflict that existed among the American Indians and new settlers. Then, students analyze the purpose, challenges, and economic incentives...
Curated OER
Konnichiwa, Welcome To My World
Students create a book about how life is different in America from Japan in order to help a pretend new Japanese student feel welcome.
Curated OER
Alaska's Native Population: Eskimos, Indians and Aleuts
Students explore the unique population of Alaska. In this Native people of Alaska instructional activity, students discover the three groups of people who live in Alaska. Students describe the similiarities and differences between the...
Curated OER
Conflict Diamonds
Students examine how diamonds are portrayed in American culture. They identify the political and social implications of conflict diamonds and the locations of these diamonds in Africa. They evaluate the effectiveness of the Kimberley...
Curated OER
The First Americans
Students participate in theatre activities to study American history. In this American history and theatre lesson, students work in groups to research a specific Native American group to investigate their lifestyle. Students then create...
Curated OER
Creation Stories
Learners explore Native American creation stories. For this Native American lesson, students research Native American culture, social structure, and religious beliefs as they compare and contrast the different elements of Native American...
Curated OER
Basket Weaving
Students explore Native American culture. In this art lesson, students study Native American culture today and in the past as they weave baskets.
Curated OER
Migration - An African-American Adventure During WWI
Sixth graders explore the push/pull factors that influenced the South to North migration. For this African-American migration lesson, 6th graders read an article and answer comprehension questions. Students write a letter to the...
Curated OER
KWANZAA
Learners study about Kwanzaa, an African-American celebration established in 1966 by Dr. Maulana, and also participate in some traditional activities.
Curated OER
African-American Autobiography for the Middle School Student
Students are introduced to the characteristics of an autobiography. For each author, they research their life and works and discuss why it reflects different time periods of African-Americans. In groups, they brainstorm characteristics...
Curated OER
Cultural Comparisons Interview
Learners interview a family member and give an oral report. In this oral history lesson, students create interview questions relevant to an American historical period. Learners interview a family member and present an oral report to the...
Curated OER
Japanese American Baseball in the Camps
Students study Japanese American internment camps. In this American history lesson, students compare and contrast the camp internees' experiences with with team sports-related challenges students have encountered. Students discuss team...
Curated OER
The Poet's Message-"The Colored Soldier" by Langston Hughes
Students analyze the poem, "The Colored Soldier" by Langston Hughes to gain a greater experience of how poets use language to create meaning, influence thinking and thus become pioneers of change in American society. They work on the...
Curated OER
African Americans Seen Through the Eyes of the Newsreel Cameraman
Fifth graders examine the portrayal of African Americans in the media. In this socio-political instructional activity, 5th graders view various news clips of African Americans and discuss the way they are presented. Students...
Curated OER
A New Society Project
Ninth graders examine the social and political movements of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. For this American history lesson, 9th graders work in groups to form their own society and laws. Students make a diagram of their town and...