Curated OER
The Impact of the Cotton Gin
Fourth graders study Eli Whitney and the cotton gin. In this lesson on the cotton gin, 4th graders use primary and secondary sources to gather information about Eli Whitney, the cotton gin that he invented and how it changed the south.
Curated OER
Reconstruction on Life in Virginia
Eighth graders study the life style of Virginians during the Reconstruction Period after the Civil War. They examine how the infrastructure, the economy, and the agricultural status of Virginia and the other Confederate states changed...
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Badges of Pride
Fifth graders investigate jobs and how people identify with their job. In this labor activity, 5th graders create a book from illustrations of various jobs. Students read an article about labor and answer questions about the...
National First Ladies' Library
Martha Goes To War!
High schoolers investigate how women went to war and the contributions that they have made in history. They conduct research using a variety of resources. The information is used in order to create a class presentation and answer some...
Curated OER
The John Travolta Syndrome
Students examine the influence of music and film on contemporary fashion. In this popular culture lesson plan, students research select films featuring John Travolta. Students research selected time periods in American history as well....
Curated OER
A Presidential Portrait: Andrew Jackson
Eighth graders examine the role of intended meaning in Ralph Earl's portrait of Andrew Jackson. They, in groups, research periods in Jackson's life and use gathered information to create their own portraits of Jackson.
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Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.
In this crossword puzzle instructional activity, students use the 20 words from the word box and the clues to help complete the crossword puzzle about Martin Luther King, Jr.
Curated OER
Looking at Photographs
Sixth graders evaluate photographs as historical documents. In this social studies lesson, 6th graders analyze photographs as propaganda.
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You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer!
Students study women's clothing in the 19th century as well as one prominent
feminist of the time. They examine women's dress of the period from the picture book read aloud You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer! They provide adjectives...
Curated OER
Outsourcing Jobs to Other Countries: Is Globalization a Threat to American Workers?
Students analyze the effects of outsourcing. In this globalization lesson, students listen to their instructor present a lecture regarding the outsourcing of American jobs to other countries. Students respond to discussion questions and...
Curated OER
SLAVERY IN ARKANSAS, THE LIFE OF A SLAVE
Learners participate in a variety of activities to demonstrate an understanding of mid 1800 role of slaves. Vocabulary, writing and math are integrated into the lesson.
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Presentation of Pilgrims
Learners are given a category to research (clothes, life before the New World, the voyage, etc.) about Pilgrim life. s Students, in groups, create presentations using software program such as PowerPoint.
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Railroads in Virginia
Pupils decscribe the importance of railroads, new industries, and the growth of cities to Virginia's economic development. They locate on a map the small towns and cities that grew because of the railroads and create a flow chart showing...
Curated OER
Inflation
Students compare prices then and now. They use the calculated rate of inflation to figure out the equivalent prices today for items sold at the fair and money earned in 1864. They calculate the actual value of a bowl of soup, a dinner,...
Curated OER
Time Train
Learners are read a short book "Time Train" by Paul Fleischman. Using the text, they identify the clues to let them know the train is traveling back in time. They make a time line of the trip and make a cutout of meat-eating and...
Curated OER
Learning about Native Americans through Artifact Analysis and Artwork
Sixth graders assess how a Native American's environment and the geographic region where they lived influenced their food, clothing, shelter and the overall culture of a tribe. They study the impact of conservation, family, rural life,...
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Cotton Production and Milling
Students examine cotton production and milling. They compete in a hand-ginning contest to realize how difficult it was to separate the seeds from the fibers of cotton. They discuss why Eli Whitney's cotton gin was an important invention.
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Weavers Tell Their Stories
Students examine the practice of weaving by Mayan women. They read personal accounts and write a sentence stating the main idea. They also write a short report on weaving as a cultural and economic way of life for the Mayan women.
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Advertisements
Students compare aspects of daily life from the mid-19th century with those of today to contrast life then and now. They study newspaper advertisements for housing and clothing from then and now and create and illustrate their own...
Curated OER
Comprehension Questions for Stitching Stars
In this comprehension questions for Stitching Stars worksheet, students answer 30 comprehension questions after reading the book about quilts made by slaves in the 17-19th centuries.
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Anticipatory Set for Japanese Internment
Students simulate Japanese relocation to internment camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. They select items to pack that are personally, sentimentally, and financially important to them. They create a Venn diagram comparing and...
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Looking at Photographs
Students evaluate photographs as historical documents and photographs as propaganda.
Curated OER
National Park Service: Gettysburg National Military Park: Camp Life
Colorful exhibit showcases the actual artifacts used by the Civil War soldiers at Gettysburg. View their camp materials, clothing, equipment, and personal items. Also, like soldiers of all wars, long hours passed when they were not...
Other
Historical Boys' Clothing: The American Civil War: Reconstruction
Outlines the major programs of the Reconstruction period after the Civil War, and the discrimination that African Americans faced, such as from the Black Codes and the Ku Klux Klan. Also discusses the amendments made to the Constitution...