Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
What Brought Settlers to the Midwest?
Drawn by promises of fertile land, thousands of settlers poured West because of the Homestead Act of 1862. By examining images of the ads that drew them westward, learners consider the motivations for movement. They also consider how the...
Curated OER
The New Deal: North Carolina's Reconstruction
Eighth graders study North Carolina's reconstruction through an interdisciplinary project that emcompasses social studies, language arts, visual art, music, and technology.
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Abraham Lincoln: The Face of War
Young scholars compare life masks and photos of Abraham Lincoln that were made before and at the end of the Civil War. In this "Faces of War" lesson, students analyze images of Lincoln in a historical context and create a timeline of event.
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The U.S. Constitution:Continuity and Change in the Governing of the United States
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this U.S. Constitution lesson, students examine and analyze primary sources regarding the plan for U.S. government.
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The Great Gatsby: Primary Sources from the Roaring Twenties
Students research the Roaring Twenties. In this 1920's America instructional activity, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of lifestyles and values of the era as they read F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great...
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Labor Unions and Working Conditions:United We Stand
Young scholars examine primary documents about the establishment of labor unions. In this organized labor instructional activity, students research the working conditions that contributed to the growth of the labor union movement. Young...
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Billy the Kid: Perspectives on an Outlaw
Students examine the life of Billy the Kid. In this Westward Expansion lesson, students use Internet and print sources to research the contributions of gunfighters to the settlement of the American West.
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Immigration and Migration: Today and During the Great Depression
Students conduct interviews, analyze primary sources including docuements and images to gain an inderstanding of the causes and effects of he Great Depression and immigration.
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Yankee Doodle... More than Just a Catchy Tune
Students investigate the history of patriotic music and practice singing the tunes with classmates. In this U.S. History activity, students examine lyrics of the traditional song "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and discuss the differing...
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The Immigrant Experience: Down the Rabbit Hole
Students relate the immigrant experience to Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. In this immigration experience instructional activity, students read Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and relate it to the...
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The Great Depression in North Carolina: Experiences of the People
Young scholars explore the Great Depression. In this research skills lesson, students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary sources. Young scholars write their own WPA interviews after they have...
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Civil War Photographs: The Mathew Brady Bunch
Students examine the photographs of Mathew Brady. For this Civil War lesson, students analyse primary source photographs from the Civil War. Students will be able to describe specific events and what life might be like during the Civil War.
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Political Cartoons: Finding Point of View
Students examine political cartoons. In this colonial America lesson, students analyze political cartoons pertaining to the Stamp Act.
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Local History: Mapping My Spot
Students explore maps to discover historical information about their local area. In this mapping and history lesson plan, students use panoramic maps of their own town/city to interpret historical information. Students also...
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Immigration: Our Changing Voices
Students identify how immigration affects the family and or community. For this Immigration lesson, students examine traditional migration and how immigration has changed over time. Students will consider their own families and history...
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Immigration History Firsthand
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this immigration lesson, students conduct research regarding Ellis Island and the American immigrant experience. Students use...
Library of Congress
Suffragists and Their Tactics
Students research the fight for voting rights. In this women's history lesson plan, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the strategies employed by the suffragists to gain voting rights.
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Railroad Idioms Art Lesson Plan
Sixth graders research railroad idioms. In this idiom activity, 6th graders read through a glossary of different railroad idioms and their meanings. They illustrate a chosen idiom.
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Paving the Road to the Constitution
Eighth graders argue for or against the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. In this U.S. government lesson, 8th graders complete four activities that encourage them to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of...
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Suffrage Strategies: Voices for Votes
Students discuss the history and importance of voting. In this voting instructional activity, students research the women's suffrage movement and the methods used to change people's beliefs about suffrage for women. Students also create...
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Navigation
Students explain that globes are the best way to show positions of places, but flat maps are portable and can show great detail. They make a mercator projection of the route Lewis and Clark took on their journey.
Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area
Life as a Pioneer
Learners examine historical documents and research why early pioneers settled on the Iowa prairie. They review maps, describe the impact of railroading, describe life in pioneer times, and identify the effects of drought, prairie fire,...
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Signature History
Students review the meaning and application of primary and secondary sources in research. They determine how researchers locate primary source documents before looking at signatures as a validating factor on many primary sources....
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George Washington: The President Without Precedent
Students explore time period and events surrounding George Washington's inauguration, demonstrate how Washington set precedent for each action he took as American Republic's new president, and compare and contrast traditions and events...