Curated OER
Reconstruction to Civil Rights
Eighth graders complete a unit of lessons on the period of time from Reconstruction to the Civil Rights movement. They analyze and interpret political cartoons and editorials, conduct research on famous civil rights places, and complete...
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The Persuasive Art of Portraiture
Students first explore the power of the visual image to convey a message by examining the portrait of George Washington on American dollar bills. They next use, 'Prolific Chinese Painter Is Anonymous No More,' to explore a famous...
Curated OER
The Kentucky Derby and Horse Racing Provide Literature and Math Connections
The Kentucky Derby can provide a means to discuss literature, math, and history.
Curated OER
Public Deception
Students debate the ethics of prominent figures who are accused of deception. The standards of expectation that they have for famous people are examined in this lesson plan.
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George Washington & the Classics
Learners will compare and contrast famous philosophers with George Washington. In this history activity, students work in small groups to define Classicism, Legalism, Democracy, Republic and Civility, then read some short excerpts...
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Pranks With Paint
Students consider what they already know about graffiti and explore the pranks and work of a graffiti artist. They research a famous painting and create original artwork by adding thoughtful graffiti to it.
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The Making of the Declaration of Independence
Students can delve into how Thomas Jefferson's words in the Declaration of Independence changed history.
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Creative Voices of Harlem
Young scholars explore the Harlem Renaissance. In this American history lesson, students examine a poem by Langston Hughes and identify the characteristics of the Harlem Renaissance. Young scholars research and report on a famous Harlem...
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Christopher Columbus Lesson Plans
Columbus Day lesson plans are great for teaching students about geography, history, and exploration.
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America at War
Sixth graders examine issues that faced Americans during World War I, discuss role that sinking of the Lusitania had in America's decision to enter the war, and analyze changing role of U.S. during the war and how it emerged as a world...
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Discovering Mexico through Murals
Students describe the Mexican culture and relate it to their own culture. They investigate the Mexican culture through internet research, textbooks, and class discussions. Students create a mural of their school culture. They interview...
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A Tough Act to Re-enact
Students discover the significance of various historical events. Using the information they find, groups re-enact these events, stressing their importance to history and our lives today.
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Taiping Rebellion
Students reflect on the impact of the Taiping Rebellion. In this World History instructional activity, students work in small groups to research and discuss the Taiping Rebellion and the ramifications it had around the world, then...
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ESL Holiday Lessons: National Ice Cream Day
In this reading comprehension and vocabulary worksheet, students read a text about the history of National Ice Cream Day. Students work alone or in partners to complete 144 questions. There are vocabulary matching problems, fill in the...
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Globalization 101
Students explore the challenges created by cultural globalization. In this history lesson, students read several hand-outs centered on the topic, then participate in a class discussion and fill in a worksheet.
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Postcards in Time
Students write and send postcards to and from famous historical figures.
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Anti-Vietnam War Movement Lesson
Learners examine reasons why many Americans opposed the Vietnam War. In this world history lesson, students view a Powerpoint of anti-war images and a timeline of events that led to the war. Learners examine speeches made by John Kerry...
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To Tell the Truth
Students explore art history. They play a game inspired by the old game show "To Tell The Truth".
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Rosa Louis Parks
Students describe Rosa Parks' contributions and how they affect us today, and identify important events occurring at this time in history.
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Life Stories
Fourth graders create a brief video presentation documenting their research of an impactful African American or woman from history. Students research and identify their accomplishments and create a 2-5 minute iMovie documenting their...
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Violence Prevention
Compare and contrast the ideologies of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle schoolers conduct research regarding civil rights and rhetorical strategies used in political speechs. They examine the strategies that both men employed...
National Woman's History Museum
Ida B. Wells: Suffragist and Anti-Lynching Activist
Suffragette, investigative journalist, and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells is the focus of a lesson plan that has young historians study the work of this amazing woman. Scholars watch a video biography of Wells, read the text of her...
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: "When Fannie Lou Hamer Said" by Mahogany L. Browne
After watching an excerpt from a video of Fannie Lou Hamer's testimony before Congress, pupils do a close reading of Mahogany L. Browne's poem "When Fannie Lou Hamer Said," annotate words and phrases that draw their attention and list...
Learning for Justice
Mary McLeod Bethune
Young historians conduct a close reading of the text of an interview with Mary McLeod Bethune, the daughter of former slaves who taught herself to read, grew up to establish schools for other Black women, and went on to become an advisor...