Curated OER
America in Film and Fiction
High schoolers begin the lesson by reading a book on film study. After watching the movie "Citizen Kane", they work together to identify the issues concerning the United States before World War II. As a class, they discuss how the...
Curated OER
A Country Twice Divided
Students study biography from the 19th century. They read "The Red Badge of Courage." Students research a topic from the list provided in the lesson and write a 5-7 page paper. They study lyrics and melodies of the confederacy and...
Curated OER
Holocaust Lesson Plan: Timeline
Pupils explore the chronology of the Holocaust, make connections between Holocaust events and contemporaneous world events and acquire a frame of reference for comparing their reading with actual events during the time of the Holocaust.
Museum of Tolerance
Disenfranchised People of the New Nation
Why are some immigrant groups in the United States embraced while others become disenfranchised? To answer this question, teams investigate why groups emigrated to the US, why some of these these peoples were...
Curated OER
Follow Your Dreams: Career Goals
It is so important for impending high school graduates to start thinking about their potential careers. Here, they discuss the persistence of Blondie Hasler and his impressive transatlantic trip. They follow various routes on a map and...
Curated OER
Houston, We Have a Problem! An Introductory Lesson for the unit Stars, Galaxies and the Universe
The lesson plan would make a stimulating introduction to a space unit. It is highly imaginative and suggests that the teacher darken the room to set the mood and dress as an astronaut. Teams are asked to help solve an imaginary problem...
Curated OER
Downloading Trouble
Learners explore the meaning of piracy. In this technology lesson, students discuss the economic and social repercussions of DVD and CD piracy, then further their knowledge by completing on-line research on the topic. Several...
Curated OER
Holocaust
Seventh graders explore the geography of Eastern and Western Europe. They compare and constrast the culture of Jewish people from Eastern and Western Europe. They analyze deportation and confinement in concentration camps, using personal...
Curated OER
Honoring the Veterans of WWI
Middle schoolers raise money for a memorial. In this community service lesson, students support the building of a memorial for WWI veterans in Washing D.C. Middle schoolers educate their community about the memorial, raise funds, and...
Curated OER
Time Traveler Blues: The Great Depression
Students research the Great Depression Era and its effect on the world. They create a multimedia presentation over the Great Depression from many angles.
Curated OER
The Carter Center’s Work in Sub-Saharan Africa
Students explore the state of Sub-Saharan Africa. In this geography skills instructional activity, students examine the work of the Carter Center in Africa as they investigate the strengths and weaknesses of linguistic, tribal, and...
Curated OER
Symbols of Our Land
Students explore the symbols and figures significant to the American culture in the five lessons of this unit. The U.S. flag in various versions, the Statue of Liberty, and the Lincoln Momorial are all covered in short segments in this...
Curated OER
Art Nouveau
Students study the design elements of Art Nouveau, its sources and development. They create art projects in ceramics and glass that exemplify the focus of Art Nouveau as a decorative style.
Library of Congress
Loc: Music in America Civil War Music
A set of primary sources having to do with music during the Civil War. Analysis tools and teacher guides are included.
PBS
Pbs: American Roots Music
If teaching a unit about the history of popular music in America, this PBS web site supporting their four-part TV broadcast of a few years ago would make a great resource. Includes lesson plans and oral histories too.
Library of Congress
Loc: Sheet Music About Civil War
This resource provides more than 200 sheet music compositions that represent Lincoln, the Civil War and the times. Compiled by the greatest private collector of Lincoln material, Alfred Whital Stern.
Other
Soldiers' Songs Archive of Military Folk Music
Specialized site dealing in folk music connected to military history and various wars. Gives audio samples and brief history/bios of songs and singers. Limited but interesting archive site.
Other
Minstrel Show: Contribution to Folk Music
Interesting essay page on the influence of minstrel shows on folk music. Provides historical connections and is accessible for research purposes.
Library of Congress
Loc: Lyrical Legacy: 400 Years of American Song and Poetry
Explore eighteen American songs and poems each represented by an original primary source document, along with historical background information and, in many cases, sound recordings and alternate versions.
Library of Congress
Loc: Patriotic Melodies
The Library of Congress site profiles 26 American patriotic songs with commentary, supporting visual material, and recordings of "America the Beautiful," "Fanfare for the Common Man" and the like.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Arts and Humanities: Art of Asia
A landing page for a course on the art history of Asia.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Arts and Humanities: Art of Africa
A landing page for a course on African art found in regions and in individual countries.