Curated OER
That's the Spirit
Is, as Walt Whitman contends, America’s “almost maniacal appetite for wealth,” the heart of the American dream? Class members grapple with this question as they read David Brooks’ article “The Commercial Republic,” and quotes that...
Curated OER
Amelia Earhart: Pilot, Activist, and Legend
Ideas for introducing the concepts of heroism, women's rights, and the scientific method using the famous Amelia Earhart.
Curated OER
Faces of the Revolution
Fifth graders investigate the important figures of the American Revolution. In this American Revolution lesson, 5th graders outline the important events of the war and complete a worksheet.
Curated OER
Speaking of the Speaker
Students deconstruct an obituary and examine the elements and incidents of a person's life that were chosen to memorialize in an obituary. They research a notable American and write and obituary about their life.
Curated OER
WHERE ARE THE FAMOUS WOMEN IN HISTORY?
Students list/compare the number of men in history they can think of to the number of famous women. They discuss why there are more men than women on the list. They examine their textbooks for the same comparison and discuss the results.
Curated OER
What is a Memorial
Students explore how we remember and honor people in special ways. In this memorial instructional activity, students read poems and discuss their emotions. Students view pictures taken at memorial services and discuss what...
Curated OER
Harlem Renaissance Research Project
Students complete a group research project on the Harlem Renaissance. In this Harlem lesson, students pick from a list of topics all related to the Harlem renaissance. They create a PowerPoint presentation, topic outline, and...
Curated OER
Ancient Rome
Students investigate information about the leaders of Rome. In this ancient Rome lesson, students research Roman warfare and military leaders in order to write and present their own one-act plays based on Scipio, Hannibal, Julius Caesar,...
Curated OER
Come On, Rain!
Learners read and analyze the story. In this language arts lesson, students read Come on, Rain! and examine how mood and tone are created, the use of figurative language and the characteristics of the genre. Learners research the...
Curated OER
Holding Out for a Hero: Roberto Clemente
Students brainstorm lists of heroes, heroic qualities, and ways to pay tribute to heroes. In this Holding Out for a Hero lesson, students record Clemente's heroic attributes as athlete ad humanitarian. After visiting the Beyond Baseball...
Curated OER
Pictures Are Worth A Thousand Words
First graders write simple sentences based on historical figures they find in pictures. For this simple sentences lesson plan, 1st graders search for pictures in Microsoft Word and write simple sentences about them. These pictures and...
Curated OER
Historic Takes
Students examine photographs of memorials for veterans. They identify who is being honored and why. They research one hero they find interesting and create a memorial for them. They share their hero with the class.
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Democracy Wall
How free are people in the United States, or in the world for that matter? The class reads and compares two articles that discuss levels of freedom enjoyed by different people around the globe. They discuss why some people have more...
Curated OER
Sizing Up The Solar System
Students investigate and design various models of size and distance related to the solar system. They work together to build a solar system model. The models should focus on distance and scale. They don't include moons or satellites in...
Curated OER
William Howard Taft National Historical Site
Students examine the role William Howard Taft played in American History. They analyze his background and how he got to be president. They compare qualities of leaders today to Taft.
Curated OER
Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas Historic District
Students use maps, readings, photos and diagrams to identify and describe events in Pensacola, Florida that preceded the Civil War. They examine the role of Fort Pickens during the Civil War and consider the community impact of military...
Curated OER
The Power of Journals: Going Beyond the Text
Eighth graders define and use new vocabulary and identify the reasons why Native Americans captured Europeans during the colonial period. They write their own journal entries about the topic and explain the importance of journals as a...
Curated OER
Mills of New Hampshire
Students locate mill sites on a New Hampshire map. They describe who worked in the mills and their working conditions. They examine the environmental impact of the mills and work together to find out more information about mills.
Curated OER
"Trails, Rails, and Roads" Lesson 1: "Language and Transportation"
Students, in groups, identify the origins of a number of transportation idioms. They search for current transportation idioms to have a partner explain.
Curated OER
Honoring Neighborhood Heroes
Read biographies and use the internet to research stories of courage.Young writers compare and contrast characteristics that societies value. They write reports about their family and community's heroes.
Shmoop
ELA.CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.9-10.6
What does the author believe about his topic? Why did he write in the first place? Challenge your class to figure out the answers to these questions as they read through informational texts. The resource provides a breakdown of the...
Curated OER
I Do Solemnly Swear: Presidential Inaugurations
Students examine the process of presidential inauguration. They examine and discuss primary source documents and complete worksheets.
Curated OER
The United States and Its Capitals
Have your class learn about the fifty states in the United States and their capital cities. Learners play matching games, complete quizzes, and a variety of activities in order to cement their knowledge of the states.
Curated OER
Fame, Fortune, and Philanthropy
With your middle schoolers, develop concepts such as philanthropy, civic responsibility, community service, and common good. Discuss famous philanthropists and what we can each give of our time, talent and treasure to better our...