National Endowment for the Humanities
Understanding the Salem Witch Trials
Students describe some of the important elements of life in Puritan New England. They create a timeline of the events of the Salem Witch Trials. They work in groups to explore the concept of multiple interpretations of history.
Curated OER
Changing Places
Students investigate the Chinese-American immigration experience. In this assimilation lesson, students watch "Becoming American: The Chinese Experience" and then participate in classroom activities regarding the topic. The activities...
Curated OER
Opportunity and Danger
Students analyze the immigrant experience. In this Chinese immigration lesson plan, students research Internet and print sources regarding the topic. Students also watch videos regarding the topic and interview immigrants or children...
Curated OER
The Great Migration
Students explore how migration to Harlem created a new life for African Americans. In this cross curricular lesson, students illustrate maps showing the migration, paint murals representing African American life in the South and...
Curated OER
Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story - The Birth of Soul
Students analyze various kinds of music. In this music lesson, students listen to music clips to determine the kind of music each clip is then they participate in a class discussion about the music and prepare a presentation.
Curated OER
Race and Voting in the Segregated South
High schoolers examine the history of African American voting rights. In this voting rights lesson, students listen to a lecture on African American voting rights between the years 1890 and 1965. High schoolers respond to discussion...
Curated OER
The Anne Frank Story
What is genocide? Create timelines regarding the human genocide. Middle and high schoolers analyze information that requires them to consider links between Armenian genocide and the Holocaust. In groups, theydesign timelines that...
Curated OER
EZ Encaustics
Have your class design a piece of art work using a canvas panel and wax. Learners employ a Greek process of art design popular in the fifth century to create their works. This is a great way to incorporate history into an art lesson.
Curated OER
Colonial North Carolina
Eighth graders are introduced to the conditions of North Carolina when it was still a colony. Using the internet, they research the political, religious and economic problems the colony faced and how they dealt with them. They also...
Curated OER
"Logs of Straw: Dendrochronology"
Students act as dendrochonologists working to reconstruct a 50 year climatic history. They make a personal timeline.
Curated OER
Mosaic Masks
Pupils discover the history of mosaics through teacher-lead lectures and discussions. Individuals spend 3-4 weeks creatively constructing mosaic masks using step-by-step design instructions.
Curated OER
Seasonal Poetry Reflective Journal
Pull quotes from a text and craft responses to the quotes you chose. First, read a short excerpt from Mary Claire Wilfert's oral history. Then, read the contemporary poem "Robert's Cove," pulling quotes and writing responses as...
Curated OER
Fold the Flag
Students follow directions to fold a flag properly. They practice on paper flags first and then use a real United States flag. They also examine the history of the flag.
Curated OER
Student Exploration: Fraction, Decimal, Percent
Young scholars explore the concept of fractions, decimals, and percents. In this number sense activity, students use a worksheet to guide them through the exploration of the relationship between fractions, decimals, and...
Curated OER
Civil War Research Project
Give your WWI study collaborative energy using a group research project. Groups are assigned one of the six main themes (included). Each group has an outline to guide research but will need an assignment guide. Consider supplementing the...
Digital Forsyth
Photo Analysis for Visual Impact
A lesson plan on photo analysis, compare and contrast, and an art project are here for the taking. Fourth graders analyze photographs of gas stations from now and from the past, focusing on how the cars and building designs are a form of...
Desert Discoveries
How Old is Old? (And, How Much is a Million?)
Here is an interesting lesson on how old things are designed for young scientists. In it, learners compile a list of their birthdays, and the class puts them in sequential order from youngest to oldest. Then, they sequence 15 objects...
Curated OER
To Tell The Truth
Students create a faux ivory napkin ring using art supplies and knowledge gained from in-class discussions and teacher supplied information in this art lesson plan easily adaptable to a Social Studies or Language Arts classroom.
Curated OER
Integration and the "Barrier Breakers": Black Baseball 1945-1960
Learners explore integration of Major League Baseball, identify important individual baseball players who played key roles in integration, and analyze historical information through charts, graphs, and statistics.
Curated OER
Simple Justice
Students describe the effect of segregation on black and white children. They explain how these effects were proven in court.Students describe the effects that are still being felt today and what we can do to counteract them.
Curated OER
Medicine Through Time
In this medicine in history worksheet, students read through the questions about the history of medicine. Students give short answers to the 18 questions.
Curated OER
Land is the Basis of All Independence
Students develop debating and analytical thinking skills. They take a position in the Back-to-Africa discussion, based upon any readings and the two opposing essays they read. In groups, they discuss an issue from two different points...
Curated OER
Understanding and Appreciating Poetry: Afro-Americans and Their Poetry
Sixth graders are introduced to poems written by African-American authors. As a class, they read excerpts of poems from different time periods and discuss how and if anything has changed over time with discrimination and equal rights...
Curated OER
Using computers in the content area
Students practice grade appropriate computer basics and integrate them into the curriculum areas. in this technology lesson, students understand correct behaviors while using the computer. Students become familiar with the Internet...