Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Slavery of Africans in the Americas: Resistance to Enslavement

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the many ways African and African-American slaves resisted their enslavement in the Americas with special emphasis on the slave songs and maroon societies of slaves.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jewish Assimiliation in Contemporary American Literature

For Teachers 12th - Higher Ed
Students read a collection of stories and watch videos to learn about the Jewish assimilation in American literature. In this American literature lesson, students watch videos about Judaism, read stories from a contemporary Jewish...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Orphan Trains

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students are introduced to the concept of orphan trains. In groups, they research the history of the New York Children's Aid Society and begin to identify the social-trade offs involved on the orphan trains. They examine the geneological...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Into a New Millennium, Lesson 4: 1970 to Present

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students view different slides on how agriculture has changed in America. In groups, they are given one resource to read and answer discussion quesions. After reviewing answers, they participate in different scenerios to help protect...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freedom and Dignity Project

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders explore slavery and the civil war. In groups, 11th graders discuss and slavery and identify reasons for its beginning. In groups, they role-play a character for a talk show. Students determine what slavery was like in...
PPT
Curated OER

Rosa Parks

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Facts and transcripts of Rosa Parks are transcribed in this 9-slide PowerPoint. The slides include a brief biography, history of racism, which lead into Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat. What follows are slides about her feelings...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

African American Inventors Society

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the inventions of African Americans and how their inventions contributed to the common good. In this African American inventions lesson plan, students research the inventions of African Americans and reflect on how that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Romare Bearden's The Dove - A Meeting of Vision and Sound

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore African american culture of the late 1950's and 60's through various primary sources including literature, music, art and others. They then prepare and conduct a mock interview and present with the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Women Writers and Dissent in 20th and 21st Century American Literature

For Teachers 10th
Tenth graders read examples of writings by women authors showing their dissent. After completion of their reading, they brainstorm on why they believe female authors have criticized society. In groups, they use the Internet to research...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Man Who Made the Presidency

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the contributions that George Washington made to the presidency. In this presidential history lesson, students analyze primary and secondary sources regarding Washington and the precedents he set. High schoolers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Meet the Press: American Presidents

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this presidential history lesson, students research the accomplishments of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Frankiln D. Roosevelt, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Examples of Sharing as Told Through a Native American Legend

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars explore community problem solving. In this cross-curriculum literature and social studies activity, students listen to The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie DePaola and discuss how a Native American community problem was...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

FOOD FOR THE ANCESTORS

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students identify the foods associated with the "Days of the Dead Celebration." They compare and contrast these foods to the foods associated with American celebrations and become familiar with the foods of Mexico and their relationship...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clothing and Social Change in America

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine how clothing for men and women has changed over time with their changing roles in society. Students work individually and in groups to complete the tasks in this lesson.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Treaty Trail: U.S. - Clothing That Talks: Meaning and Material Culture

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Young scholars investigate the cultures of Native Americans and Euro-Americans through their clothing.  In this photograph analysis lesson, students observe historic photographs and analyze the style of clothes people wore and how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Early American Portraits: a Strategy for Learning About Artists and Their Works

For Teachers 3rd - 12th
Students study artworks from several different artists. They compare and contrast these works and examine the historical background of the artist and his or her times. They develop the capacity to think critically and communicate their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Role Playing in North America: Mid 1600s-Mid 1700s

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders apply their knowledge of North American history from the mid 1600's through the mid 1700's to a role-playing scenario. In small groups they plan, write, and perform a dramatic skit of a group that was affected by events in...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Cotillion or One Good Bull is Half the Herd, a Black Arts Movement novel by John O. Killens

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study late twentieth-century African American satirical literature as well as its cultural antecedents. they analyze and discuss, within the contexts of race and gender, the social criticism of the middle classes presented by...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Impact

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars investigate the impact inventions have on people. In this technology activity, students explore inventions, such as the light bulb, and identify ways the invention impacted society. Young scholars design a simple project...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Makes a General?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the duties of commander-in-chief. In this George Washington instructional activity, students research Revolutionary War military leaders and examine the relationships they had with George Washington. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Trail of Tears; Its Grief and Loss

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders trace the development and expansion of the US while studying the Trail of Tears. They examine the political factors and analyze the impact the Indian Removal Act had upon a society. They present a case for or against the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Temperature in a Cultural Context

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders investigate the effects of temperature on Native American lifestyle and culture. In small groups they conduct research on cultural practices showing a connection to the climate and create a poster displaying their...
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Women's History: Clara Barton

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students investigate Clara Barton's contributions to society. In this Clara Barton lesson plan, students watch videos, listen to lectures, and conduct research regarding Clara Barton's life and her possible authorship of a Civil War...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

On the Edge and Under the Gun

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine issues of gun control, the right to bear arms, and the overwhelming seriousness of gun related violence. They examine what can, and has been done to redress the situation using the Million Mom March as a reference point.