Unit Plan
Curated OER

Second Graders Create Their Own Social Studies Book

For Teachers 2nd
Students develop their own social studies textbook. Students gain knowledge of American immigration and Ellis Island. Students discover the process of becoming a naturalized citizen and what it means to be a citizen
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Learning About Colonial Life

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers use predictions to explore the lifestyle of American colonists. They draw conclusions about the culture of colonial America based on items used in daily life.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the American immigration experience. In this immigration lesson, 8th graders watch a video about Ellis Island and discuss the processing that took place there. Students write letters in the voice of American...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cultural Comparisons Interview

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students interview a family member and give an oral report. In this oral history lesson, students create interview questions relevant to an American historical period. Students interview a family member and present an oral report to the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Hafta Do NAFTA?

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students examine the benefits and problems of U.S. participation in the North American Free Trade Agreement. In two groups, students represent the campaign team for a presidential candidate, one for and one against NAFTA, and research...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Conquests of Land and People in the Pacific Northwest by the Fur Trade

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine how the Hudson's Bay Company dominated trade in the Pacific Northwest and compare and contrast how the Hudson's Bay Co. conducted business with competitors, suppliers, and customers to the prominent American fur trade...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mesoamerica

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners demonstrate knowledge of early Middle American civilizations. They study Mesoamerican i religions, governments, and achievements. They identify geographies of North and South America.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Class Party

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers take a closer look at presidential elections. In this Electoral College lesson, students participate in a classroom simulation that requires them to form a political party that puts forth a candidate to run for election.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Picture Book of George Washington

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Students discuss the character traits of George Washington. In this George Washington instructional activity, students read A Picture Book of George Washington, discuss the book, and complete worksheet activities about Washington's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American Foreign Policy Since World War II (The Cold War)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify and interpret some key figures and major events during the Cold War era, including the Korean War, Vietnam, Cuban Missile Crisis, Bay of Pigs Invasion, and the United States and China Cold War Relations. They also play...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Active Citizenship: The Civil Rights Work of Bob Moses

For Teachers All
Students discuss and describe the impact of Bob Moses as an activist, compare and contrast the work of Bob Moses in the 1960's and today and develop an action plan regarding an issue they feel strongly about.
Lesson Plan
9/11 Memorial & Museum

Exploring Afghani Culture through Literature

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Hosseini Khaled's The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns are the anchor texts in a semester-long course that explores Afghani culture and traditions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Judiciary in American History

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the influence of political and societal forces on judicial decisions. Among the topics they examine are the selection of judges and the cause and effect relationship between politics, society, and the law. to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History: Declaration of Conscience Political Cartoons

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine political cartoons depicting opinions about Margaret Chase Smith's Declaration of conscience. After examining the cartoons, they create their own political cartoons about the speech. As an ongoing activity, students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Studies: Native american Tribal Sovereignty

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students examine the issue of tribal sovereignty for Native Americans. Following a mock trial simulation based on the case of Johnson v. McIntosh, they write opinion papers based on the results of the Supreme Court decision in 1823.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The American Dream

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students expand their knowledge by researching on the Internet the African American civil rights movement and compiling a timeline of events and heroes. In addition to the civil rights timeline, students identify the key historical sites...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

THE MASSACHUSETSS FRONTIER:TURNER

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students examine the political, social, religious, and economic world and national context in which the settlement of Deerfield occurred and the competing political agendas, and competition for land, power, and wealth in Deerfield.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leaving Home for the West - Why?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine primary sources regarding American movement to the west. In this westward expansion lesson, students create broadside posters based on the Homestead Act primary sources they research.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Head Bone Derby

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders use the internet to explore the responsibilities and opportunities of voting. They research information on candidates and write questions for presidential candidates.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Life in Politics

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students answer a quiz about congressional leaders. They research former majority leaders and create charts about them. They write letters to the current majority leader about a current issue.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Government: The Mystery Epidemic

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are able to identify some roles of government in dealing with the prevention and treatment of skin cancer. They are able to list two reasons why the occurrence of skin cancer in youths has increased.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Humanities in Colonial and Revolutionary America

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students demonstrate dances of colonial America. In this colonial American lesson, students learn forms of colonial social dancing including the Juba and Virginia Reel. Students examine the history of the 2 dances as well.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Breaking the Color Barrier: Jackie Robinson's Combat Against Racism

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore Jackie Robinson's career. In this 20th century American history lesson, students complete the provided analysis questions based on the provided primary documents about Jackie Robinson. High schoolers discuss...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Esperanza Rising

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore equality by reading a story with their classmates. In this discrimination instructional activity, 6th graders read the story Esperanza Rising and discuss the tensions between Latin America and the United States....