Curated OER
Undercover-ed
Have your class engage in critical-thinking activities using this resource. Learners discuss a variety of topics they think get too much, or too little, attention from the press. They analyze why these topics are over or underrated....
Academy of American Poets
Teach This Poem: “Making History” by Marilyn Nelson
What makes an event newsworthy, worth a reference in a news magazine or textbook? Who decides? These are questions Marilyn Nelson asks readers of her poem "Making History" to consider. To begin, class members list details they notice in...
Curated OER
Putting History in its Place
Examine ways in which historic places and landmarks represent significant themes and events in American history. Then create theme-based travel guides for related historic locations. This lesson requires informational reference materials...
Curated OER
American Flag History
Young historians explore US culture by investigating the US flag. They will use their textbooks, prior knowledge, and sources provided by the teacher to research the history of the American flag. They will design and create a trading...
National Woman's History Museum
Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin
Political activist, suffragette, pacifist, and the first woman elected to Congress, Jeannette Rankin has been largely ignored in history and history textbooks. Young historians set out to rectify that situation by examining primary...
Curated OER
Textbook Changes in Japan
Learners recognize that the Japanese government has made attempts to alter history textbooks to make it look like the military did not play a major role in the mass suicides during the American invasion in 1945. They review vocabulary,...
Curated OER
European Tour: History and Tradition
Students explore the Sistine Chapel. In this European history lesson, students watch "Sistine Chapel Frescoes: Scenes from Genesis." Students then discuss the Vatican and the role of the Pope. Students then visit a website to take a...
Curated OER
The Original's Sins
Are history textbooks plagiarized? The New York Times article, “Schoolbooks Are Given F’s in Originality,” looks at this question and forms the basis for a activity on textbooks and plagiarism. The very detailed plan includes resource...
Curated OER
Major Religions in Ancient India
Sixth graders compare and contrast Hinduism and Buddhism. In this ancient India lesson, 6th graders use Inspiration software to create graphic organizers that show the similarities and differences between Hinduism and Buddhism.
National Woman's History Museum
Helen Keller--Citizen and Socialist
Do history books tell the full story of Helen Keller? The sanitized version of Helen Keller found in most textbooks leaves out her most provocative ideas. She was a socialist, fought for workers' rights, and advocated for the use of...
Curated OER
The Great Military: Map of Texas
The battle at the Alamo may be one of the most famous military campaigns in Texas history, but it is by no means the only one. As part of their study of the military history of Texas, class members research less-well-known sites, locate...
National Woman's History Museum
Red Power Prevails : The Activism, Spirit, and Resistance of Native American Women
Native American women powered the American Indian Movement and other social changes, but they are often forgotten by history books. Examining a series of resources, including a documentary film, photographs, secondary sources, and social...
Curated OER
"I" Witness to History
Young journalists write diary entries from the point of view of a person involved in a historical event. They focus on including facts, clear narration, and accurate description of the individual's feelings.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Ancient and Medieval China
This is a thorough lesson on Chinese history that includes readings from primary and secondary sources, guided reading questions, videos, and a take-home final assessment. While it indicates an audience from 9th through 12th grade, it...
Curated OER
Living History
Students investigate historic events through the eyes of people who were their age when the event happened. Through personal interviews, students gain insights on the impact of these events on these people's lives and on the world at large.
Curated OER
Border History
Students research primary sources to construct an outline of a border city's history.
Curated OER
Navigating Through Capital History
Fourth graders research the history of Tallahassee using a Website and other materials to determine why the capital is where it is today. They organize the information on a timeline and investigate the "heart" of Florida.
Curated OER
A Day in the Life of a Veteran: Oral History
Seventh graders conduct an interview with a veteran of a recent war to provide an account of military conflicts. In this oral history lesson, 7th graders research a recent war and write interview questions for their research. Students...
Curated OER
Ancient China: Student Created Word Search Puzzles
Sixth graders classify and organize information about ancient China. In this Chinese history lesson, 6th graders create word search puzzles and record the processes they used to create them.
Curated OER
Murals: Historic Walls
High schoolers examine Mexican history in murals. In this visual arts lesson, students research the artistic style of Mexican murals and the artists that create them. High schoolers then present their research findings to their...
Curated OER
American Studies
Entitled American Studies, this small unit covers various topics related to the study of the United States. Learners warm up by creating a dictionary of democracy, then dive into three different lessons focused on government, famous...
K20 LEARN
But What About Me?: Teaching Perspective In The Social Studies Classroom
How would the story of the discovery of America be different if indigenous people told it through their eyes? Individuals compare the conventional account of this moment in history to an account given by one of the native peoples. After...
BBC
Words In The News: Japan Textbook Back In Spotlight
High-interest articles are a great way to get struggling readers to tackle difficult vocabulary. Here is a lesson plan that includes such an article. It is focused around a very interesting and controversial article about the teaching of...
Curated OER
Major Religions in Ancient India
Sixth graders explore major religions in ancient India. They compare polytheism, monotheism, and reincarnation. Using the internet, 6th graders research information to compare Hinduism and Buddhism. They create, using Inspiration...