Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking at Ritual and Ceremony

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore Edward Curtis' photos of a Native American ritual and practice documenting their own religious rituals. In this photography analysis lesson, students analyze an Native American ritual in Curtis' photo. Students discuss...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Living Constitution

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate why the Constitution is a living document and dissect the document to discover why it has survived while so many other charters have not. Students use James Madison's constitutional admonition concerning checks and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Prevent Child Abuse

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars research documents and photographs by Lewis Hine on child labor. They examine documents and summarize them. Students complete several photograph analysis worksheets. Their research and documents begin after the Civil War.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration to the Golden Land: Jewish Life in America

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students examine Jewish life in America. In this social studies lesson, students read the article "We Shall Go to America" which features the experiences of Jewish immigrants in America. Students respond to questions regarding the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Breaking Through Reading Roadblocks!

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Students apply reading strategies to interpret a map, a diagram, a scientific chart, and a historical text. In small groups, they examine and analyze various documents. They present their findings to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Will the Real Ben Franklin Please Stand Up?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the life of Benjamin Franklin. In this American history lesson, students research primary and secondary documents regarding Franklin's life. Students should examine the point of view each of the accounts is written from...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Examining the Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students examine the Declaration of Independence and its significance to American history. They read the document, identify America's grievances with Great Britain, and restate a part of the document in their own words.
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

In His Own Words: George Washington Quotation Timeline

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students 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

When Court Cases Get Appealed

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students read and analyze two functional documents. They predict outcomes using prior knowledge and documents. Students draw conclusions about how court cases are appealed. They list the parts of a court case.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jamestown Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students identify and share Primary Sources in Early American History by Janey Levy. Then they discuss the usefulness of using primary sources in uncovering the past. Students also research original documents from Jamestown to complete...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Of Human Bondage: George Washington and The Issue of Slavery

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Learners read and interpret four documents George Washington wrote regarding his slaves. They analyze why George Washington was conflicted over the issue of slavery. They discuss the evolution of Washington's attitude toward slavery.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Odyssey of a Coin

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students create a fictitious newspaper article to document the travels of an ancient Greek coin. They evaluate the economic conditions that existed in ancient Greece and analyze the impact Alexander the Great had on the ancient world.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meeting Needs In Ancient Greece

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders create a PowerPoint presentation to document the point of view of a member of ancient Greek society. They conduct Internet research, and write and present their research through the form of the PowerPoint presentation,...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Looking at a National Treasure: George Washington

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Young scholars 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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Famous Person Report - Computer Applications

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students choose famous person to research online, use at least two different sources to find information, prepare rough drafts and document sources, meet in groups for peer feedback, review with teacher, and turn in final report.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Using Primary Sources in the Classroom: Slavery Unit Lesson 1: Slave Code of 1833

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the concept of slavery. In this primary research instructional activity, students read the Alabama Slave Code of 1833 and discuss its implications. Students also examine emancipation-related documents and respond to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: Human Rights

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students define the universal rights of human beings. In this human rights instructional activity, students visit the website about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and read all parts of the document. Students discuss why there...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Graphics à la "the Web"

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students study the graphic formats for the World Wide Web and download a graphic file. They apply correct HTML format for including pictures in a web page.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Assassination and Aftermath: The Death of JFK and the Warren Report

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine the ways in which the assassination of President John F. Kennedy affected American history and American culture. They explain the role of the media in documenting American history and also influencing that history.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cooking With Geography

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Shigh schoolers use desktop publishing to create "real world" documents from information received from collaborating classes. They create an electronic presentation from Internet research. They experience foods from different states and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Snapshot of the Connecticut River Valley - 1880

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students analyze a variety of images and documents and make inferences from their readings and articulate causality.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Putting It All Together: Creating an artifact

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders analyze a variety of images and documents, then create artifacts to archive, such as a newspaper, an album, or scrapbook from their writings, drawings, and projects. They present learned information to their peers
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Creating an Effective Resume

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students assess their skills, then document their employment history by preparing a resume.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quest

For Teachers K - 5th
Learners visit the Hydrology Study Site, conduct a visual survey to discover info about local land use and water quality, and document their findings by mapping the water body. They use this investigation to raise questions for further...