Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evaluating Eyewitness Reports

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider the advantages and disadvantages of eyewitness accounts as records of history. They research several accounts of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and then compare and contrast each version to arrive at a final picture.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Primary Sources in the Classroom

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Scholars study a historical photograph to make predictions of what happened right after the picture was taken. They research a variety of different topics and use primary sources to answer questions about common food, fashion trends, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding Points of View

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Investigate the importance of author's point of view. Young linguists study primary source documents related to the Treaty of Casco Bay. The first source is authored by the Native American Chiefs, the second by an English...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oh, Say, Can You See What the Star-Spangled Banner Means?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students research the historical inspiration for the lyrics of the "The Star Spangled Banner". They explore websites, read articles and analyze poetry in an examination of America's patriotic symbols and history.
Lesson Plan
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Center for Civic Education

The Power of Nonviolence: Rosa Parks: A Quest for Equal Protection Under the Law

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Teach young historians about the historical legacy of Rosa Parks with a multi-faceted lesson plan. Pupils follow stations and use journals to explore prominent events, analyze primary resource documents, and engage in interesting...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Neighborhood or Slum? Snapshots of Five Points: 1827-1867

For Teachers 9th - 11th
How has your local neighborhood changed throughout recent history? Young researchers evaluate census data, images, and primary source descriptions describing the living situation in the antebellum Five Points neighborhood. They consider...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Historical and Economic Impact of Military Bases in South Carolina

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the history of South Carolina's military bases. In this South Carolina history lesson, 8th graders discover details about the history and economic impact of military bases in the state. Students analyze primary...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

To Kill a Mockingbird: A Historical Perspective

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students research the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of life in the American south during the depression era as they read Harper Lee's To Kill a...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Listening Closely and Taking Notes in Expert Groups: Colonial Trade Podcast

For Teachers 4th Standards
The twelfth instructional activity of this unit builds on the skills developed in the previous instructional activity, as fourth graders continue their quest to become experts on colonial trade by listening to interviews with historical...
Lesson Plan
EngageNY

Listening Closely and Taking Notes: Colonial Trade Podcast About the Wheelwright

For Teachers 4th Standards
Voices from the past. Young scholars listen to a podcast interview with a historical re-enactor as they continue their research in the eleventh instructional activity of this unit on colonial trade. Applying their close reading skills,...
Printables
Scholastic

Helen Keller: An Inspiring Life (Biography Mini-Book)

For Teachers K - 4th Standards
Inspire young readers with this printable biography of Helen Keller. Including a timeline, glossary, and realistic illustrations with supporting captions, this is a great resource for not only teaching children about this amazing...
Activity
It's About Time

Renewable Energy Sources - Solar and Wind

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
There has been a huge solar energy spill! Let's go outside to play in it. This lesson includes multiple experiments showcasing solar and wind energies. Scholars build a solar heater and an anemometer before testing the results. The...
Lesson Plan
National History Day

Helping Life and Aiding Death: Science, Technology, and Engineering at Work during World War I

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Science, engineering, and United States history? Pupils research collections of artifacts from the Smithsonian to learn about historical scientific innovations. At the end of the lesson, they write an essay to discuss technology's...
PPT
Curated OER

The Dust Bowl Odyssey

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Great information, images, and wonderful higher-order thinking questions await your class. They'll discuss, consider, and examine multiple factors related to the Dust Bowl. A cross-media comparison is made between the historical events...
Lesson Plan
Social Studies School Service

DVD Lesson Plan: Thirteen Days

For Teachers 7th - 12th Standards
Here you'll find a fine teacher reference for presenting the film Thirteen Days, a dramatic interpretation of the Cuban Missile Crisis during the Kennedy administration. It includes a brief description of the film, learning...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

In His Own Words: George Washington Quotation Timeline

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Learners read and analyze a series of excerpts from George Washington's letters, journal, and speeches to match quotations to the event or date in his life. They identify the author or source of the historical document or narrative. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Old Stone House Lesson Plan

For Teachers 7th - 12th
From stagecoach to railroad tracks, your class will discover how advancements in travel in the United States during the nineteenth century played an integral role in the industrialization and development of American society. The main...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Looking at a National Treasure: George Washington

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explain the definition of a portrait. They identify the visual clues that Gilbert Stuart included in his portrait of George Washington. They compare the reproduction to other images of Washington. They discuss the importance of...
Lesson Plan
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Elizabeth Murray Project

Gender and Opportunity in Colonial America

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
What was life like for women in Colonial America? What restrictions were placed upon them and what opportunities were they afforded? A case study of Elizabeth Murray offers high schoolers a chance to investigate primary source...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great War: Evaluating the Treaty of Versailles

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine and evaluate the Treaty of Versailles. They read and discuss primary source documents, explore various websites, develop a list of postwar goals for France, Germany, and the U.S., and evaluate whether the treaty...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Word Processing/Spell Checking

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners practice typing historical document that contains intentional spelling errors, and use spell checking assistant to correct errors before printing final document.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Department of Archives and History

Conflict in Alabama in the 1830s: Native Americans, Settlers, and Government

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
To better understand the Indian Removal Act of 1830, class members examine primary source documents including letters written by Alabama governors and the Cherokee chiefs. The instructional activity is part of a unit on the expansion of...
Lesson Plan
PBS

Abraham Lincoln: Man versus Legend

For Teachers 6th - 12th Standards
Abraham Lincoln was one of the greatest presidents ever ... right? Scholars research the accomplishments and struggles of the Lincoln presidency. They uncover facts, materials and information via video clips, primary, and secondary...
Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Ratifying the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Ratifying the Constitution was no simple task. Using primary sources, such as classic writings from the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, young scholars examine the arguments for and against the Constitution. They then decide: Would they...

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