Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thomas Edison, electricity and America

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students will examine Edison's application of electricity and the concept of the American Consumer Culture and what thay means. Students will evaluate how these ideas and concepts led to change.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Capturing the Moment in 3-D

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners analyze the sculpture "Rearing Horse" by Adriaen de Vries. In this visual arts lesson, students examine the sculpture and then draw and sculpt animals from life, trying to capture a moment frozen in time.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Structural Challenges Do Bridge Builders Face Today?

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate the process of constructing a bridge. They study the meaning of structural force and draw pictures of examples. Students identify the types of building materials have been used in history to construct bridges and how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evita: The Woman Behind the Myth

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Pupils explore the meteoric rise of Eva Duarte Peron, First Lady of Argentina. Born in poverty, Eva Peron rose to become the most powerful woman in Latin America and one of the most powerful women in the world.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction To Latin

For Teachers Higher Ed
In this language arts worksheet, students examine the 101 reasons for taking a class in Latin. The syllabus has classical art for background on the cover page.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Thomas Edison on Trial

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students learn about Thomas Edison and his invention laboratory/factory and the concept that he might not have given enough credit to the employees who invented for him. They hold a trial to determine guilt or innocence as a outcome.
Lesson Planet Article
Curated OER

Learning About the Great Inventor: Thomas Edison Lesson Plans

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Thomas Edison facts can inspire students to create their own inventions, and persevere despite adversity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sky Watching

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers examine telescopes and understand how they have helped us better understand the sky.  In this astronomy lesson students complete a worksheet and a lab activity.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders study light and shadow, participate in mirror activities, and build a periscope.
eBook
Other

History and Discovery of Cinematography

For Students 9th - 10th
Self-published textbook, by film historian Paul Burns, on the history of filmmaking. Covers pre-cinematic technologies and events and ends with the discovery of motion pictures in the late nineteenth century.
Handout
George Eastman Museum

George Eastman House: Motion Picture Timeline [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
Follow the evolution of motion pictures and motion picture devices on this pictorial timeline.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: The Spanish American War in Motion Pictures

For Students 9th - 10th
A great web site about the first war that was ever filmed in motion pictures. Very complete collection on all aspects of the Spanish-American War.
Primary
Other

Media History Digital Library: Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Collection

For Students 9th - 10th
A large collection of original magazines that document the evolution of the American broadcasting industry from 1896 to 1964, covering radio, television, and motion pictures.
Website
The Franklin Institute

Franklin Institute Online: Motion Photography

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the history of motion in photography. Eadweard Muybridge was very interested in photography and "had nothing to do but try" motion photography. Read his story here. Included are resources for the teacher and activities for...
Website
Other

Museum of the Moving Image: Optical Room

For Students 9th - 10th
Take a tour through the history of moving images from the earliest times into the mid-1910s. The tour begins with pre-cinema devices and practices, including shadow plays and optical toys, and covers film and photography pioneers and...
Primary
Other

Media History Digital Library: Non Theatrical Film Collection (1918 1973)

For Students 9th - 10th
A large collection of original publications that focused on non-theatrical uses of motion pictures, including education, training, advertising, propaganda, and amateur clubs and individuals.
Primary
Other

Media History Digital Library: Technical Journals Collection (1916 1965)

For Students 9th - 10th
A large collection of original journals that focus on the technology behind motion pictures, covering cinematography, photography, projection engineering, etc.
Primary
Other

Media History Digital Library: Global Cinema Collection (1904 1957)

For Students 9th - 10th
A large collection of original publications from other countries that focus on the film industry.
Website
American Movie Classics Company

The Film Site: Film History Before 1920

For Students 9th - 10th
A storehouse of information about early film history, which discusses the development of the science and art behind motion picture technologies. Also looks at the how films were exhibited, the first feature-length films, early stars, fan...
Handout
Smithsonian Institution

Lemelson Center: Tracing the Roots of America's Motion Picture Industry

For Students 9th - 10th
In the late 1800's, Thomas Edison and his fellow inventors were key in the American film industry's boom.This web site provides a podcast and accompanying transcript tracing the roots of the film industry in America. Podcast [21:27]
Unit Plan
George Eastman Museum

Animation: Illusion of Motion

For Students 9th - 10th
Check out these moving picture devices that came before the cinema. Includes instructions on how to make your own.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Eadweard Muybridge's Photography of Motion

For Students 9th - 10th
From the National Museum of American History this is a description and analysis of the photography of expatriate Englishman Eadweard Muybridge. "Freeze Frame: Muybridge's Photography of Motion" iclude's examples of Muybridge's work...
Primary
Other

Media History Digital Library: Early Cinema Collection (1855 1930)

For Students 9th - 10th
A large collection of original trade papers and journals that focused on the early motion picture industry covering periods from 1894 to 1949.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of American History: Magic Lanterns, Magic Mirrors

For Students 9th - 10th
Like fun house mirrors, motion pictures over the past one hundred years have reflected, challenged, influenced, and altered our visions of ourselves and the world in which we live. This virtual Exhibition was produced by the Photographic...