Curated OER
Johnny Tremain for the 21st Century
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the American Revolution based on the novel, 'Johnny Tremain.' They define key vocabulary terms, develop a timeline, write a report on a colonial craft, make a colonial flag, and create a...
Curated OER
Brutal British
Learners read and predict the outcome of a story set during the Civil War, then map the story. To prepare for the activity, students determine why it is important to look at historical events from all angles by using primary and...
Curated OER
What Made George Washington a Good Military Leader? Powers and Problems
Students list qualities they believe made George Washington an effective military leader. They discuss difficulties Washington faced as Commander-in-Chief and how he responded to the difficulties he faced as the leader of the Continental...
Curated OER
Betsy Ross
In this Betsy Ross instructional activity, students read a 2 page article on Betsy Ross, answer 6 facts about Betsy Ross with multiple choice answers and answer 4 short answer questions.
Curated OER
George Washington - A Graphic Novel
Students write and illustrate their own graphic novels. In this George Washington lesson plan, students collaborate to research Washington's life as surveyor, his involvement in the French and Indian War as well as the American...
Curated OER
Shipwreck Mystery
Young scholars draw inferences about a shipwreck. For this marine archaeologist lesson, students examine historical and archaeological data to draw inferences about the age and identity of shipwrecks.
Curated OER
Freedom and Dignity Project
Students use maps to "recreate" important battles of the Revolutionary war. Students research these battles, focusing on how topography played a role in the victory or defeat of the American army. A field trip may also be used as an...
Curated OER
No Taxation Without Representation
Students identify the three functions of government and describe their importance in the success of government. They describe the necessity of representation in the political process. Students simulate the characteristics of British rule...
Curated OER
The Continental Army Word Search
In this Revolutionary War word search worksheet, students locate 28 places, names, and terms pertinent to the Continental Army which are hidden within the word puzzle. A word bank is included.
Curated OER
The Living Museum: George Washington, the Slave Owner
Eighth graders bring early America to life. In this George Washington lesson, 8th graders listen to a lecture about the first president, explore the relationships he had with his slaves, and research the backgrounds of some of his...
Curated OER
Letter Writing and Abigail Adams
Third graders learn the importance of letter writing for communication. In this letter writing lesson, 3rd graders identify how letter writing was important in the life of Abigail Adams. Students understand what a primary source is and...
Curated OER
America Grows - Trailblazers Pave the Way
Students study the time period after the Revolutionary War when people were striving to move away from the coastal areas and look for pathways to the west. Westerward expansion is a central theme and students use a variety of resources...
Curated OER
Celebrating African Americans and Coins
Learners examine the Booker T. Washington commemorative coin and listen to a biography of Washington's life. They develop a list of reasons why his life was commemorated with a coin. They examine other coins and the lives and work of...
Curated OER
American Revolution
Students review the events leading to the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence. Using the internet, they examine many different political cartoons from the time period and discuss the political atmosphere. In groups,...
Curated OER
Naval Warfare in the American Revolution
Middle schoolers listen to and identify styles of music popular during the American Revolution. They recognize songs identified with the Royal Navy and analyze how music was used on board ship.
The New York Times
Revolt! Comparing Historical Revolutions
What elements are needed to have a revolution? How do historical revolutions from across the globe and generations compare with one another? This is an excellent activity that incorporates group work, source analysis, and an engaging...
American Battlefield Trust
1862: Antietam and Emancipation
Was the Emancipation Proclamation a revolutionary document or just a military strategy? It proclaimed that all those enslaved in Confederate states would be "forever free." Logistically, though, it did little. The order, however,...
Curated OER
The Kennedy Administration
From his inaugural speech to the Bay of Pigs, major events concerning the Kennedy presidency are discussed. Slides provide an array of images and web links to highlight some of the bigger issues surrounding President Kennedy. The...
College Board
2017 AP® United States History Free-Response Questions
Were unfair taxes really the cause of the American Revolution? Learners explore the complicated historiography behind the revolutionary period using authentic College Board prompts. The free-response questions from the exam feature...
DocsTeach
The New Deal: Revolution or Reform?
Scholars weigh in on FDR's New Deal policies in an in-depth activity. The resource uses historical documents to explore whether the New Deal polices were reformatory or revolutionary. Learners review documents, rate them using a scale,...
Curated OER
Battle of Lexington and Concord
Eleventh graders study the causes of the American Revolution. In this American History lesson, 11th graders read a story "Guns for General Washington. Students read and discuss statements about war.
Curated OER
Longfellow Amongst His Contemporaries: the Ship of State Dbq
Students evaluate the ship of state metaphor in relation to the historical events in America from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. They synthesize ideas presented in ten different primary source documents and compose an essay...
Curated OER
War and International Law:America’s Foreign Policy: A Brief History
Students discover the history of American foreign policy. In this foreign policy instructional activity, students listen to their instructor present a lecture that presents a brief history of American foreign policy. Students...
Curated OER
The Frontier and Frontiersmen
In this frontier worksheet, students read a 2 page article on the early frontier life, answer 5 facts from the article with multiple choice answers and determine if 2 statements are true or false.