National First Ladies' Library
How a Bill Becomes a Law
High schoolers engage in the democratic process and to learn how a bill become a law. Then they write a bill they would like as law in their classroom. Students also form committees that will review the list of bills to determine if they...
National First Ladies' Library
Where's Amelia?
Learners examine the life and accomplishments of Amelia Earhart and her status as a role model for women. After researching Earhart, they select another person they think is courageous and write a dialog between the two heroes as if they...
Curated OER
Who Decides Who Dies?
Students explore various state laws concerning capital punishment and conduct a mock meeting of the United States Congress to set standards for the death penalty.
Curated OER
Benjamin Franklin- Philanthropist
Students research and read a profile of Benjamin Franklin. In this philanthropic lesson, students research the projects of Benjamin Franklin and determine which were philanthropic, which were governmental and which were business...
Curated OER
Stop the Bus: Confronting Our Assumptions About Muslims in America
Learners explore Virginia Interfaith Center's A More Perfect Union "Misunderstanding" Ad Campaign, view two episodes of PBS America at a Crossroads series, examine historical context of colonialism and geo-political tensions in Middle...
Curated OER
American Indian Reservation Controversies
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this American history lesson, students research the reservation controversies of the 1870's. Students use problem based learning...
Curated OER
The Great Depression Changes Ameirican Life
Students examine the impact of the Great Depression. In this Great Depression lesson, students research employment opportunities during the era. Students determine how they may have been able to survive the economic depression if they...
Curated OER
Mark Twain's Hannibal
Pupils research life in Hannibal, Missouri. In this Mark Twain lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of life in Hannibal in the late 19th century. This lesson may be used as an introduction to Twain's...
Curated OER
The Civil War Through a Child's Eye
Students use primary and secondary sources to observe a child's view of the Civil war. In this Civil War lesson, students understand that different people had different perspectives on the war. Students recognize the...
Curated OER
Native American Culture Region Collages
Young scholars research various Native American tribes. In this Native American history lesson, students follow the provided rubric to create collages on the cultures of selected Native American tribes.
Curated OER
Civil War Photos Tell a Story
Students explore the work of a Civil War photographer. In this Civil War lesson, students access the photographs by Matthew Brady through the web link and examine the photographs he took in order to better understand the Civil War.
Curated OER
Irish-Americans: Work and Song
Students explore Irish-American culture. In this immigration lesson, students watch video segments regarding immigration in the 1840's and 1850's. Students discuss the discrimination Irish-Americans faced as they listen to songs and...
Curated OER
The World's Ten Greatest Inventions
Students review a list of important inventions from the last century and a half. They order the top ten inventions with an explanation accompanying their choices and then write a report on a selected invention.
Curated OER
Exploring Community Through Local History: Oral Stories, Landmarks and Traditions
Students explore the history of their local community. In this local history lesson, students analyze primary documents to develop an understanding of the local culture and traditions of their local community.
Curated OER
The Great Depression and the 1990s
Students examine government-funded programs. In this government lesson, students research legislation from the Depressions era as well as current legislation regarding government-funded programs. Students evaluate the current need of...
Curated OER
Baseball, Race and Ethnicity: Rounding the Bases
Learners consider Race and Ethnicity in baseball. In this American history instructional activity, students examine primary source images of American baseball. They then develop an original argument, pose historical questions and conduct...
Curated OER
African American Identity in the Gilded Age
Ninth graders examine the tension experienced by African-Americans as they struggled to establish a vibrant and meaningful identity based on the promises of liberty and equality in the midst of a society. In this American History...
Curated OER
Migration During the Great Depression: Living History
Students interview immigrants of Central Florida and photograph them to learn their oral history and life stories. In this immigration lesson plan, students discover where people come from, and write about the life story of this person.
Curated OER
Personal Stories and Primary Sources: Conversations with Elders
Students learn from their elders. In this oral and social histories lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the America in which their grandparents grew up. Students conduct interviews with elders in...
Curated OER
MANY REASONS TO LEAVE
Students research different economic, cultural, and social characteristics of slavery after 1800, how slavery hindered the emergence of capitalist institutions and values, and slavery both prior to and after the Civil War.
Curated OER
Segregation: From Jim Crow to Linda Brown
Students examine the African American social, economic, and political conditions between 1896 and 1953. In this segregation instructional activity, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the plight of African...
Curated OER
Child Labor in America
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary sources. In this child labor lesson, students examine the issue of child labor and determine how citizen action prompted...
Curated OER
Thomas Edison, electricity and America
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.
Curated OER
New Deal Programs: Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
Students research New Deal programs. In this Great Depression lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the effects of the depression and how WPA programs and other New Deal programs impacted people's...