Lesson Plan
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Cemetery Mapping Lesson

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore historical records. In this cemetery mapping lesson, 8th graders analyze local community data as they examine gravestones and read epitaphs. 
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Gold Rush Abolitionists: How different was the role of Spanish-speaking blacks under Mexican rule from the role of English-speaking blacks under U.S. rule?

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students determine how Spanish-speaking blacks and English speaking blacks were treated differently. In this emancipation lesson, students compare the Mexican and American rules regarding slavery.     
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Tribal Truths

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners research and analyze the interactions of American Indian tribes with Meriwether Lewis and iam Clark. Then they stage displays to inform the public about their findings.
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Geometry of Democracy

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners explore the architecture of New England by identifying geometric shapes.  In this architectural instructional activity, students examine photographs of classic building architecture and use a transparency to trace geometric...
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Life on Plymouth Plantation

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders research life of Plymouth Plantation and write letters about life there home. In this Plymouth life lesson, 3rd graders complete a webquest as they gather information about the journey to America on the Mayflower and the...
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Football at Carlisle Indian School: A Tool for Assimilation?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers become familiar with procedures for helping Indians assimilate in the 1800's. In this history lesson plan  learners explore how football helped Indians to assimilate in a positive way. Middle schoolers recognize the...
Lesson Plan
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The Cuban Missile Crisis

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students reflect on the events that lead up to the Cuban Missile Crisis in the early 1960s.  In this history lesson plan, students explore the conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union revolving around missiles in...
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The American Landscape (1800 - 1850)

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers are introduced to the romantic cultural movement in America. Reading examples of pictures of Washington Irving's home, they identify the characteristics of the movement. They view other paintings of artists from the same...
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Women's Suffrage

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders examine the role of women in the early 1900s. In groups, they use the internet to research groups who favored or opposed giving women the right to vote. To end the lesson, they note the methods used by women to finally gain...
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John Jones and the Fight to Repeal the Black Laws

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the role of John Jones and his fight to repeal the Black Laws of Illinois. Using the text of the law, they explore his reasoning for repealing the laws and the arguments he used to support his beliefs. They draw their...
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Living Under the Illinois Black Codes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Learners use the text of the Illinois Black Codes to examine the laws in place. Using this information, they draw their own conclusions about why the laws existed in a free state. They also identify the purpose of these laws and how they...
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Narrative History - Hypertext Dialogues

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students create scripts about California settlers. The document reflects the settlers' fears, expectations, and realizations.
Worksheet
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Introduction to the Early Origins of the Cold War

For Students 9th - 12th
In this Cold War worksheet, students read an article titled "Introduction to the Early Origins of the Cold War," and then make a list of key dates and events from the selection.
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The American Mosaic

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students discuss what it would be like to be new to a town. They are then asked questions related to the immigrants coming to America. Extensions of this lesson are available.
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U.S. History Timeline

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders complete a timeline activity in which they outline the events from explorations to the early Colonial era. In groups, they discover an overview of the events that lead up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. ...
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Ancient Hunters of the Great Lakes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students describe theories on how the first humans came to America and show the evidence that supports it.  For this investigative lesson students study given material and prepare written or oral reports in their groups. 
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Early Humans

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders work together in groups to examine the earliest civilizations. After reading two stories, they compare and contrast the facts with those stories with other ones they have read. They discuss the different hypothesis on...
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Lesson Plan: The Math of Removal

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students consider the plight of those who walked the Trial of Tears. In this Indian Removal lesson, students compare statistics regarding Indian survival rates.
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Women in History: Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
In this women in history worksheet, students read a biography of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Students then answer 6 multiple choice questions and 1 essay question about the passage.
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What’s in a Name? Understanding Malcolm X

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study the life of Malcolm X. In this autobiography lesson plan, students read The Autobiography of Malcolm X, investigate and evaluate the time period of his life, and write an essay based on their reflections pertaining to his...
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Michigan's Early History

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Learners use maps and lecture notes to discover the diverse history of the state of Michigan. After gathering their information, students develop interview questions that might be used to interview an elderly person in their community.
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Early Native Americans

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders locate on a globe where the land bridge was. They describe the progression of nomadic people into North America.
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The Early Suffragists

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students research early suffragists in an effort to find the most influential leader of the movement. They give presentations and the class chooses a winner. They write letters to the postmaster suggesting they be placed on a stamp.
Lesson Plan
City University of New York

Urban Politics: Machines and Reformers

For Teachers 7th - 8th Standards
Take a trip to the turn of the twentieth century with a resource about industrialism in America. With primary source documents and focus questions, learners think about the ways that government groups and organizations paved the way...