American Museum of Natural History
What's This? Gold
Cell phones are likely made of gold—at least part of them! An interesting lesson explains the conventional and not-so-conventional uses of the popular element gold. From the Inca empire to modern-day technology, learners discover gold...
American Museum of Natural History
Create Your Own Time Capsule
The corona virus pandemic is indeed a historic event. A time capsule activity permits young historians to document these days of social distancing, remote learning, and quarantine by collecting artifacts that capture what their lives are...
Curated OER
March 2, 1877: Hayes Declared Winner in Disputed Presidential Election
After reading an interesting article comparing the disputed presidential election of 1877 to a similar event in the year 2000, kids blog a response. They read the article, check out the embedded links, then respond to four related...
Curated OER
Remember the Bridge: Poems of a People
Fifth graders explore poems of African Americans. They research a famous African American, write a report, create a timeline of events in African American history, create a map of the New World, and research Molly Walsh. After...
Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Welcoming the New Congress in Cartoons
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons about the 110th Congress. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
Curated OER
Time and Seasons
Here is an engaging crossword puzzle which focuses on time and the seasons of the year. Learners determine the answers to 17 clues using words that are associated with time and seasons. They complete sentences about months, holidays,...
Curated OER
Mayan Farming Practices
The introduction of this lesson requires reading a from The Maya by Jaqueline Dembar Greene. Learners sketch a Mayan during the reading. Teaching strategies include direct instruction, grouping the students for discussions, reasearch,...
Curated OER
Breaking News English: Deadliest Day for US Troops in Iraq
In this English worksheet, students read "Deadliest Day for US Troops in Iraq," and then respond to 47 fill in the blank, 7 short answer, 20 matching, and 8 true or false questions about the selection.
Curated OER
Regional Songs in the Southern American Experience
Young scholars write a song about transportation in 100 years after comparing and discussing "Proud Mary" and "The Midnight Special".
Curated OER
Introduction to Indians and the First Thanksgiving
Students use yarn to create a timeline of the first Thanksgiving. After a class discussion, they view pictures of artifacts and Native Americans to identify the tools and items present during the first Thanksgiving. In groups, they...
Curated OER
American History Lesson Plans
It's always a good time for students to go over lesson plans that talk about America's birth.
Curated OER
The Old North Trail
Students engage in a lesson to find information about the old trails of North America that were used by Native Americans. Specifically, they conduct research to find the history of The Old North Trail. The teacher shares several theories...
Smithsonian Institution
Students’ Response to 9/11—A Documentary Report
Young historians research the devastating attacks of 9/11 and use that information to script their own documentaries. The follow-up activity includes recording the documentary and conducting classmate interviews,
Curated OER
Demonstrating an Understanding the Evolution of Democracy in the United States
Students explore how democracy in the United States changed and evolved from its birth to the present. They participate in a mock testing environment. Students write a multi-tasked essay on American government and politics.
Curated OER
Pronoun Agreement
The underlined pronouns in 20 sentences need correction because they don't agree with their antecedents. Your emerging copy editors provide the correct pronoun. The worksheet can be printed or used interactively online. Check to make...
Incredible Art Department
Story Tellers - "Passing on the Traditions"
It's important for young people to learn about their ancestry and the role of storytelling as a means of passing along traditions, information, and lessons. Based on what they already learned about Native American oral tradition,...
Curated OER
Celebrate World Holidays with Hanukkah Lesson Plans, Kwanzaa Activities and More
Every year millions of people around the world celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other holidays.
Curated OER
ELLIS ISLAND: THE EARLY DAYS
In this reading comprehension activity about the history of Ellis Island, students are given a 7-paragraph essay to read and 5 follow-up multiple-choice questions to answer.
Curated OER
Days of '49: "I've Been Toiling Hard for the Last Two And a Half Years"
Students trace the stages of gold mining in California. They discuss the life of a gold miner and how the discovery of gold influenced towns and cities in California during the 1949 Gold Rush.
Association for Library Service to Children
Summer Reading List Grades 3-5
Encourage your charges to pick up a book (or two, or three) over the summer! They'll find 25 different ideas on this list of summer reading books for kids. Each book is paired with publication information and a brief synopsis, so your...
The New York Times
A Worker's Compensation
Middle schoolers read about the history of Labor Day in a newspaper article. They discuss difficulties American employees of the past had to face, learn about labor rallies, and conduct Internet research. Part of the intention of this...
Curated OER
International Custody Battle
Students research the relationship between the United States and Cuba by identifying key players and events in Cuban/U.S. history. They also focus on a battle waged between Cuban-Americans in Miami and a father in Cuba over the custody...
Curated OER
Fires of the 21st Century
Learners explore historical perspectives. In this contemporary history lesson, students listen to Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire," discuss they lyrics, and add a new verse to the song for the years 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
Curated OER
Classroom Guide for The Birthday Swap
Students complete activities with the book The Birthday Swap by Loretta Lopez. In this literature lesson plan, students answer pre-reading questions, locate new vocabulary, and read the story. They answer comprehension questions,...