Curated OER
Debating the Bomb
Students research how the development of the atomic bomb affected people in World War II, participate in a debate about the bomb's use, and investigate how it has affected people's lives since 1945.
Curated OER
The Clock Tower on Grand Avenue: A Cultural Reading Adventure
Sixth graders read three novels to practice their reading and comprehension skills. Using each novel, they create a list of the characteristics of each culture represented. In groups, they also identify the setting, characters and plot...
Curated OER
Egyptian Tomb Art: Expressions of Religious Beliefs
Ninth graders are introduced to the Prown's technique of describing various objects. As a class, they view pictures of the pyramids in Egypt and discuss how the size and shape of them show their belief in eternal life and religion. ...
Curated OER
The Warrior Role in Greek Society
High schoolers are introduced to the various gods and goddesses in ancient Greek mythology. In groups, they use print and electronic resources to research the ways Greek culture has influenced the modern world. To end the instructional...
Curated OER
Exploring Archaeology and Trade in the Middle School Latin Class
Students in a Latin class focus on archeology and trade from the Hellenistic period through the Middle Ages. In groups, they read various stages of a primary source documents in which they discuss and answer questions. To end the...
Curated OER
Exile: Cuba and the United States
High schoolers gain an understanding of U.S./Cuban Relations. In this world history lesson plan, students examine the events of the Cuban revolution and their effect on U.S.-Cuban relations and U.S. foreign policy.
PBS
U.S. Agricultural Subsidies and Nutrition
Most young people don't spend a lot of time thinking about why some foods cost less than others. This resource uses clips from the documentary, Food, Inc. to explore the impact of agricultural subsidies on nutrition, health, and the...
Curated OER
The U.S. Westward Movement
Students, working in groups, research and write about one of the trails that were used during US Westward Movement. They create a travel brochure for their trail keeping in mind the era in which the travel took place.
Curated OER
The Battle of Bentonville: Caring for Casualties of the Civil War (69)
Students explore development of battlefield medical care during the Civil War, particularly in the Union Army, and then gather information on experiences of members of volunteer service organizations or medical professions in the...
Curated OER
Chinese Dragon Puppet
Students discover the importance of the dragon in Chinese culture. Using a template, they make their own dragon hand puppet and color it with watercolor paints. To end the activity, they read stories about dragons and their role in the...
Curated OER
Contain Yourself: Changes Over Time in the Use of Containers by Native Americans
Students investigate how Native American containers changed over time and how the use of pottery changed their lifestyle. They create a pottery container.
Curated OER
As the Kids Come and Go: Mapping a Classroom
Map the classroom with your kids to help them understand how maps work and how to read them. The lesson plan starts off with a story about animals living and moving around the globe, and then kids create maps of their classroom to show...
National Endowment for the Humanities
The Debate in the United States over the League of Nations: Five Camps: From Voices of Consent to Voices of Dissent
Students explore and discuss Woodrow Wilson's concepts for peace and the League of Nations. They understand efforts made to foster American support for the League and discuss the opposition shown in the Senate.
Curated OER
How Women Won the Right to Vote
Students consider how women gained the right to vote in America. In this suffrage instructional activity, students investigate major events of the suffrage movement and conduct research. Students also role play petitioning to...
American Documentary
Comparative Religion Investigation: What Happens When We Die?
How do different religions offer explanations for what happens when we die? Invite your learners to consider the variance and complexity of religious beliefs, and to research and compare/contrast the concept of death and afterlife...
Curated OER
The Animals Kingdom
Students are introduced to the classification system of animals. In groups, they set up an aquarium in which they must maintain throughout the year. They also observe earthworms and how they react to various stimuli and research the...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: Leadership and a Global Stage
Shakespeare's Julius Caesar is, among other things, the study of a ruler's ambitions. Young scholars watch videos, read articles, and keep a Commonplace Book while studying the play. At the end of Act III, pupils stage the play that...
Curated OER
President Madison's 1812 War Message: Answers Lead to More Questions
High schoolers investigate President Madison's case for declaring war against Great Britain. Students assume the roles of newspaper reporters and cite key points in Madison's argument for declaring war, and hypothesize about primary...
Curated OER
President Madison's 1812 War Message: A Brief Overview
Students investigate President Madison's War Message. Students read the message and discuss any information they may have misunderstood. Students hypothesize about what kinds of documents might help them find answers to their questions.
Curated OER
Lines From Behind the Lines
Fifth graders create a timeline of events in a soldiers life. For this World War I lesson, 5th graders learn about the Great Depression and World War I. Students watch video segments about World War I and examine primary...
Curated OER
Mediterranean Trade in the Late Bronze Age
Seventh graders analyze the amount and conditions of trade in the late Bronze Age. In groups, they research where a variety of items and goods originated. They participate in Mediterranean trade days in which they try to acquire as...
Curated OER
Trail of Tears
Students discover that the Indian Territory was comprised of many Indian tribes originating from many different locations. They distinguish between the Indian tribes in the Indian Territory.
Curated OER
Plows on the Hunting Grounds: The Indian Allotment Act of 1887
Learners discuss the Indian Allotment Act. For this social studies lesson, students research a selected tribe and write a report on their selected tribe.
Curated OER
Witnesses to Joan of Arc and The Hundred Years' War
Pupils explore the key events of the Hundred Years' War Using computer technology, they research the life of Joan of Arc. Students explain Joan's military and political strategies and their importance in history. Pupils complete essays...