Trench art is a nontraditional art form created by soldiers in trenches during wartime. Artist Allison Smith connects her art to the American Revolution and the question: "What are you fighting for?" Kids examine her art, how it connects...

Students demonstrate reading comprehension skills, including reading strategies, inference, literal meaning, and critical analysis.

Fourth graders explore U.S. history by creating a timeline of the Colonial era. In this American Revolution lesson, 4th graders identify and discuss the conflicts that led to the revolution and list ways people deal with conflicts....

Eighth graders explain the meaning of the Declaration of Independence. They view a political cartoon of the period, then do a writing assignment for homework. They write about how they would feel if the British were calling them traitors.

At 81, Benjamin Franklin was the oldest delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, where he exercised significant influence in shaping key elements of how the United States operates. The class examines his role, using “The Scene at...

Learners discuss aspects of the Statue of Liberty and create their own personalized statue. Students use symbols to represent themselves in their own drawings of the Statue of Liberty.

Sixth graders complete activities about colonial history through an examination of art from the American Revolution period. For this history and art lesson, 6th graders define an iconic image, sing the song 'Yankee Doodle,' and analyze...

Students understand the purpose of the judicial branch of government. For this judiciary lesson, students participate in exercises to understand how the court system works. Students complete activity sheets to develop understanding of...

Students learn about and discuss the important symbols that represent America. In this symbols lesson plan, students cut out pictures of the bald eagle, American flag, Liberty Bell, and more. They color them when they have them cut out.

Students understand the importance of Mount Rushmore as a national symbol. In this Mount Rushmore lesson, students locate Mount Rushmore on the map and investigate each of the four Presidents on Mount Rushmore. Students understand how...

The Founding Fathers contributed to the United States in many ways. Class members explore various Founding Fathers through research, group work, and realia. The final product of group work are posters and artistic representations of...

Students identify important Americans from the colonial, revolutionary and slavery periods who are noted for standing up for their beliefs in the face of peer disapproval. They identify the importance of music in motivating and...

"Ballad for Americans" was a song written for performers participating in the Federal Arts Project, during The Depression. Learners will analyze the lyrics of the song and then create informational posters about other Federal Works...

Students investigate equality by reading a historical fiction book in class.  In this civil rights lesson plan, students read the story Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry with their classmates and define the Jim Crow Laws that kept blacks...

Eighth graders investigate historical documents of the United States by reading the Mayflower Compact.  In this U.S. History lesson plan, 8th graders analyze the wording of the original Mayflower Compact of the first U.S. settlers...

Students investigate the history of patriotic music and practice singing the tunes with classmates.  In this U.S. History lesson, students examine lyrics of the traditional song "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and discuss the differing points...

Fifth graders contrast and compare ancient Greece to the U.S.A.  In this Greek History lesson plan, 5th graders investigate the buildings and designs of ancient Greece, as well as their democracy and government.  Students...

Learners become familiar with the Core Democratic Values that are the fundamental beliefs and constitutional principles of American society which unite all Americans. Each student is responsible for finding three pictures in magazines...

Eleventh graders listen to a song and read the lyrics and discuss what patriotism means to them. After viewing pictures of important patriots throughout history, they describe their contribution to society. They write in their journals...

Fifth graders examine and critique the art, artists, and artisans of late 18th century America.

In this Bjork worksheet, students read about the life of the performer, then complete a variety of comprehension activities. An answer key is included.

Fifth graders use the Internet to view collections of famous artists throughout the eighteenth century America. Using the artwork, they identify the themes that portrayed America as the land of opportunity. They record their findings...

Students investigate positive female role models. In this Women's History Month activity, students read the book Mama Went to Jail for the Vote and think about how the character was a role model for other women. Students brainstorm a...