Constitutional Rights Foundation
Women in the Military
Scholars analyze the role of women in the military in United States history. Using group research, debate, and diary entries, they explore various military activity in America. To complete the lesson, young historians write an essay...
University of Pennsylvania
Mock Trial of Alfred Dreyfus
What if scholars based mock trials on history? The fourth installment of a five-part series on the Dreyfus Affair asks learners to read various pieces of evidence before conducting a mock trial for a French officer. Teams answer...
Curated OER
People in History- Anne Frank
Students examine discrimination and what it was like during WWII and today. For this writing and analyzing lesson, students read pasages from Anne Frank's diary and find connections between Anne's life and the life of people in our...
Curated OER
Analysis of the Diary of Narcissa Whitman
Seventh graders explore the West through the eyes of a settler. In this Westward Expansion lesson, 7th graders read excerpts from the diary of Narcissa Whitman as she journeyed West from Pennsylvania. Students respond to critical...
Curated OER
The Battle of Huck's Defeat
Eighth graders examine the role of South Carolinians in the American Revolution. In this American Revolution lesson, 8th graders examine primary and secondary sources regarding the skirmishes that took place in the state. As a...
Curated OER
History, Artifacts, and Museums
Eleventh graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this historical artifacts lesson, 11th graders select and research historical topics that require them to interpret calendars, timelines,...
Civil War Trust
Genealogy
The Civil War is undoubtedly a part of America's history, but could it be part of your pupils' history as well? Middle schoolers conduct research to discover a connection between their ancestors and the American Civil War. Whether they...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Conservation, Preservation, and the National Parks
Going green? Scholars investigate the creation of the US National Park program. Through diary entries as well as expert testimony, they synthesize information and analyze the need for conservation and preservation. Finally, they display...
Curated OER
Diaries and Memoirs
Seventh graders analyze how personal diaries and memoirs record actual events. For this World History lesson, 7th graders compare and contrast diaries and memoirs from the Holocaust. Students write as a way to explore one's own...
Curated OER
Journaling and Diaries
Students create a record of their own journal and demonstrate the use of a journal/diary. They explore the purposes and benefits of journaling for themselves personally as well as for us in today's world (emotionally and historically).
Curated OER
Journal Writing
Learners investigate the life of Martha Wayles Jefferson. In this American history activity, students examine excerpts of the journals kept by Thomas Jefferson's wife. Learners infer what life at Monticello may have been like. Students...
Curated OER
The Mystery of History-Original Sources
Students research the events surrounding the Alamo in 1863, and explore the differences between primary and secondary sources of information. They brainstorm lists of items used to research a subject and categorize them as primary or...
Curated OER
The Moravians: What Does It Take to Build a Religious Community
Young scholars study a Moravian community, its town structure, and compare the town to other non-religious communities. In this religious community lesson, students research a Moravian community using the town plan documents and excerpts...
Curated OER
Latin American Colonial Diary
Learners examine the class systems of New Spain. In small groups, they create a five-day diary about the family life, food, occupation, and government involvement of an assigned personality from the time of Colonial Latin America.
Curated OER
Primary History: Ancient Greeks Sea and Ships
In this Ancient Greeks learning exercise, students complete 4 extension activities to learn about Ancient Greece. students make a model of a Greek ship, read the story of Jason and the Argonauts, write a diary of a sea voyage, and then...
Curated OER
The "Write Sport"
Fifth graders discuss the history of sports in Iowa. In this sports lesson plan, 5th graders write a friendly sports letter and a how to directional writing. They write five entries in their journal from the point of view of a piece of...
Curated OER
Local History
Students research the history of their own town. They post the findings in an iEARN on line forum. They practice research skills and gain an understanding of local history.
Describing Egypt
Sennedjem - (19th Dynasty)
Who was Sennedjem and how does he relate to ancient Egypt? The resource describes the artisan's life as well as the village in which he lived, called Set Ma'at. Learners view where the people who built the tombs for powerful Egyptians...
Syracuse University
Civil War
What was it like to enlist as a soldier in the Civil War? By using enlistment papers, young scholars consider this question. After they've looked at the primary source and discussed it, they create a short story of a fictional soldier to...
Crafting Freedom
Creating Original Historical Fiction Using Henry "Box" Brown's Narrative and Runaway Slave Ads
Young historians discover the experiences of runaway slaves after reading the brief biography and narrative excerpt of Henry "Box" Brown, who escaped slavery by having himself shipped away in a crate and popularized his flight in a...
Curated OER
A Visit to Aunt Louisa's
Fourth graders write a diary entry. In this journaling lesson plan students examine a 1880's primary source document. Students read about a young girl visiting her Aunt in rural Indiana. Students write about what they did in the last day.
Curated OER
Hindenburg
Learners write a diary entry from the perspective of someone who was affected by the Hindenburg explosion. In this Hindenburg lesson plan, students learn the history behind the explosion, discuss the reactions of people, and discuss...
Curated OER
Anne Frank: Turning Pages - Journal Writing
Sixth graders review a variety of journals including Anne Frank's. They create a school journal including individual entries, a dedication, pagination and illustrations.
Curated OER
IB History of the Americas Historiography: Limits of the Historical Record
In this historical record worksheet, students read about analyzing primary sources and then complete the 3 listed activities to create their own historical accounts.