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Curated OER

To Be Black and American: The Great Depression

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders view pictures and write a description of what is depicted in the picture. They then divide into groups of three to share what they have written and come to a consensus of what the picture represents.
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Importance of American Flag in American Literature

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Betsy Ross - fact and myth. As an introduction to American Literature, class members become detectives and search web sites to find information about the flag, prominent places it has been displayed (on the moon, at ground zero, in...
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The Jim Crow Era

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine how African-Americans were affected by the Great Depression. In this African-American history lesson plan, students conduct independent research on the social conditions of the time period using the suggested resources....
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The Great Gatsby: Primary Sources from the Roaring Twenties

For Teachers 9th - 12th
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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Political Cartoons: Finding Point of View

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students examine political cartoons. In this colonial America lesson, students analyze political cartoons pertaining to the Stamp Act.
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Railroad Idioms Art Lesson Plan

For Teachers 6th
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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Signature History

For Teachers 4th - 6th
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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The Immigration Experience

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students research the reasons people immigrated to the United States. In this United States history lesson, students explore the causes and effects of immigrating. Students engage in a role-playing scenario , watch a video, and explore a...
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Curated OER

Out of the Dust: Visions of Dust Bowl History Lesson Overview

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Learners complete activities with the book Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse. In this literature lesson, students read this story and view the Dust Bowl history from the eyes of a child. They discover the Great Depression and life in...
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Twentieth Century Entertainment: When Work is Done

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students determine how Americans enjoy leisure time. In this 20th century America lesson, students research primary sources to study how Americans gained leisure time during the century and what they did with it.
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Women's Suffrage: Their Rights and Nothing Less

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore women's rights. In this women's history lesson, students examine primary and secondary sources regarding the women's suffrage movement in the United States. Students compare and contrast the states' methods for achieving...
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Immigration and Migration Today and During the Great Depression

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers conduct oral history interviews and research primary resources to explain changes in immigration and migration over time.
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Not Just A Man's War

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Learners write 2 letters from a woman who may have lived during the Civil War and 2 letters from her relative which include factual information that they have research using the Internet and other resources, along with other activities.
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Family Interviews: The Grandparent/Elder Project

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students explore key concepts/facts in 20th Century history, develop interview questions, and produce master list of questions that can be used in project. Students then interview grandparent, great-grandparent, or other elder about...
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Natural Disasters: Nature's Fury

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students explore the human experience. For this business ethics lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the American natural disasters of the 19th and 20th centuries and the implications they presented.
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The Civil War Through a Child's Eye

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students use primary and secondary sources to observe a child's view of the Civil war.  For this Civil War lesson, students understand that different people had different perspectives on the war.  Students recognize the...
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Immigration and Oral History

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine immigration. In this oral and social histories instructional activity, students analyze primary sources to research immigration history in their community. In this year-long research project, students participate in...
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Stand Up and Sing

For Teachers 7th - 12th
Students locate historical references in songs. They create music/lyrics to illustrate an historical topic.
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Personal Stories and Primary Sources: Conversations with Elders

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners 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. Learners conduct interviews with elders in...
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Exploring Community Through Local History: Oral Stories, Landmarks and Traditions

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers 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.
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Reading A Historical Photograph

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students examine a historical photograph to gather information and draw conclusions.
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Old Photographs: Windows to the Past

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students examine several types of old photographs and compare them to photography today. Students search for historical photographs and draw conclusions about the time period from the subject matter. Students explain how a camera...
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Segregation: From Jim Crow to Linda Brown

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students examine the African American social, economic, and political conditions between 1896 and 1953. In this segregation lesson, students analyze primary sources to develop an understanding of the plight of African Americans'...
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Drums of War

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners research the political climate prior to major American wars of the past, then reflect on the current call for power to confront Iraq. They create posters using newspaper articles and headlines to highlight the major opinions of...