Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration History Firsthand

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this immigration lesson, students conduct research regarding Ellis Island and the American immigrant experience. Middle...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Scramble for Wealth And Power

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Students participate in a simulation activity involving the distribution of the world's wealth and power. The activity starts when 100 pennies, representing wealth and power, are spread on the floor and students must grab as many...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Story of Ruby Bridges

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students research Ruby Bridges and discuss differences they have with their classmates while also discussing their equality. In this Ruby Bridges lesson plan, students also write about a character word that describes Ruby, and create an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Analysis of Jim Crow Laws and their Effects on Race Relations

For Teachers 1st
First graders analyze the role of the Jim Crow laws on race relations. As a class, they are segregated based on the color shirt they have or some other simple criteria and wear either a square or circle sticker representing the majority...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Force and Motion Project

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this force and motion worksheet, students create a picture book and answer 7 questions on force and 12 questions on motion. There are 4 extra credit questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Social Activism In The United States

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore justice issues. In this social activism instructional activity, students watch "Social Activism in the United States," and then locate newspaper articles from the 1960's and 1970's about events during the era.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

You Can, Too!

For Teachers K - 4th
Students and their parents participate in a volunteer opportunity in their community in order to solve a problem. In this problem solving lesson plan, students reflect on historical problems and see how they can solve a current problem.
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Cesar Chavez Biographic Timeline

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss Cesar Chavez. They watch as the teacher demonstrates making a KWL chart. Students make a chart, filling in their answers under the headings. Students watch a video about Cesar Chavez. The teacher demonstrates making a...
Lesson Plan
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White Anti-Racist Biographies: Early Grades

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Pupils research white anti racists including Laurie Olsen, Myles Horton, and others. In this anti racist lesson plan, students complete an online treasure hunt where they research these people and fill in the blanks to sentences...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Executive Order 9066: Japanese-American Internment

For Teachers 11th - Higher Ed
Students analyze conditions under which sections of United States Constitution are superceded, research history of Native Americans, African Americans, and Japanese Americans, and debate policy of reparations for various minority groups...
Lesson Plan
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The Effects of Segregation And "jim Crow" on Life in Virginia

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the effects that segregation and the Jim Crow laws had on life in Virginia after reviewing the Reconstruction period. They list the effects that the Jim Crow laws had on the lives of African Americans such as unfair...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living on a Cotton Farm: Mexican Americans Life In Texas

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders are introduced to the processes of cotton farming in the early 20th century. In groups, they examine the role of Mexican Americans on the farms and the impact of a boom and bust economy on cotton. They identify the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building Bridges: Living in a Diverse Society

For Teachers Pre-K - 3rd
Students participate in various activities that help them build esteem, and explore racism. In this multicultural lesson plan, Students increase their awareness of, and appreciation for, cultural differences and similarities. This...
Lesson Plan
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Censorship in America

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students follow resource links to study the history of art censorship in the US. They study the work of the FCC and the Hip-Hop 4 Peace campaign.
Lesson Plan
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Utilizing Art, Literature and Film to Teach Black History

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders are introduced to different aspects of African-American history through literature, art, and films. As a class, they are read a story about the Underground Railroad, identify the main characters and put the events into...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

American History: Finding your Voice

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students are able to write a speech and create a slogan through analysis of current issues articles dealing with pesticide use. They put themselves in the position of one of the workers affected by the story they read.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Boundary Crossing

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders explore the issues that arose as a result of boundary crossing.  In this US History lesson, 7th graders research supreme court cases in regards to crossing boundaries.  Students present their findings to the class.
Lesson Plan
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Post-War Suburbanization: Causes and Interpretations

For Teachers 9th - 12th
In this teaching American history worksheet, students examine a primary source document regarding post-World War II suburbanization. Students discuss their impressions of the document.
Lesson Plan
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Dear Mrs. Parks Teacher's Guide

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students read and respond to the book, Dear Mrs. Parks. In this African-American literature instructional activity, students read the text and examine several vocabulary words from the text. Students answer 11 discussion questions and...
Lesson Plan
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A Multigenerational Pen Pal Program

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discover the benefits of writing letters to multigenerational pen pals.  In this pen pal lesson, students identify a need for communication among the generations.  Students begin a pen pal program with the elders in...
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Brown v. the Board of Education

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explain the history of race discrimination in the US and about the Brown vs the Board of Education trial.
Lesson Plan
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One Year Later: Every Story Counts

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students read different sections on a website about September 11th. They are to write down their feelings as they read the articles and stories. They also focus on saving and preserving family treasures.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exclusion Orders

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students work in groups that represent a Japanese family who have received orders that they will be evacuated. Students read the "Civilian Exclusion order." They have 15 minutes to decide what they will carry. Choices must be justified...
Lesson Plan
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Firestorms: The Bombing of Civilians in World War II: War, Ethics, Guernica, Precision Bombing

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Young scholars explore the history, rationale and ethics of civilian bombing in times of war. They consider war strategy, the laws and conventions of war and international implications.