Minnesota Literacy Council
Introduction to Historical Thinking
Christopher Columbus: hero or villain? Prepare class members for the debate with activities that asks them to think critically about how history is reported.
Curated OER
Using Pictures to Read the Past
Students use primary and secondary sources, using the Internet and other media.
Curated OER
Easter Egg Eggstravaganza
Students identify functions and proper use of the computer. They identify secondary colors by mixing primary colors. Students reinforce listening, speaking and following directions by playing a game. They identify the color gold.
Curated OER
Russia's Colony: A Story of the Colony Through Primary Sources
Learners read "Epidemic Timeline and Confessional Lists from Katmai 1831 and 1845." They construct a picture of life in Alaska during the Russian period.
Curated OER
Treasure of the Tar
High schoolers use the Canadian Atlas to discover the natural resources available in various areas of the country. Using the region known as the "Tar Sands", they identify the area's characteristics and develop hypothesis about the...
Curated OER
Treasure of the Tar
Students, using an atlas, locate the region known as the "Tar Sands" in the Central Plains of Canada. They hypothesize about the future economic potential of this natural resource. They create a poster about the Tar Sands industry in...
Curated OER
A Treaty Trail
Learners complete vocabulary work related to the Native Americans of the past. In this Native American lesson plan, students read and answer questions about Native Americans and how they created their own resources.
Curated OER
Indian Heroes And Role Models
Fourth graders investigate the concept of heroes and role models within the Native American community. They use primary and secondary resources to answer specific questions intended to bring the students to a definition of Native...
Curated OER
Crispus Attucks and the Boston Massacre
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Boston Massacre lesson, students listen to a lecture regarding the massacre and Crispus Attucks. Students respond to discussion...
Curated OER
Teaching With Documents Lesson Plan: Photographs of Lewis Hine: Documentation of Child Labor
High schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this child labor lesson, students examine photograhs by Lewis Hines and discuss the implications of child labor in America.
Curated OER
Summer Festivals
Learners read about European holidays and then design their own creative festival. In this cultural awareness instructional activity, students use primary and secondary resources in order to uncover facts and practices that occur during...
Curated OER
Comparing Canadian and U.S. Political Systems and Political Campaigns
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this political systems lesson, students conduct research to compare and contrast the forms of government in the United States and...
Curated OER
Executive Orders
Learners interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this foreign policy instructional activity, students examine U.S. foreign policies of Presidents since World War II. Learners...
Curated OER
Progressivism
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Progressive Era lesson, students examine the concerns of American citizens during the era and compare them to...
Curated OER
Lyndon B. Johnson's Presidency
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. For this presidential history lesson, students research the accomplishments of Lyndon B. Johnson. Students create wanted...
Curated OER
Progressivism: What's the Problem?
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Progressive Era lesson, students examine the goals and accomplishments of the Populist Party.
Curated OER
Paradigm Shift: Gandhian Nonviolence and the Concept of Power
High schoolers interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this social justice lesson, students examine sources regarding the teachings of Mohandas Gandhi pertaining to nonviolent...
Curated OER
The Cause and Course of the Great War
Young scholars interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this World War I lesson, students research the causes of the war as well as the major events of the war. Young...
Facing History and Ourselves
Raphael Lemkin: Identifying Lemkin's Outrage
Students examine World War I war crimes. In this world history lesson plan, students use primary and secondary sources to research Armenian genocide and the trial of Soghomon Tehlirin.
Facing History and Ourselves
Analyzing Historical Evidence
High schoolers examine World War I war crimes. In this world history instructional activity, students use primary and secondary sources to research and understand the systematic nature of the Armenian Genocide. High schoolers reflect on...
Curated OER
Introduction to the Reformation
Ninth graders investigate the Protestant Reformation. In this global history lesson, 9th graders examine the provided primary sources that enable students to create posters and presentations that reveal how Catholicism, Lutheranism,...
Facing History and Ourselves
What Makes Memphis a Community?
Sixth graders explore the community identity of Memphis, Tennessee. After examining primary and secondary sources, class members describe the city and its attributes that make it a unique community.
National Woman's History Museum
How Do We Remember and Honor the Contributions of Women in Public Space?
Public art, especially monuments and memorials, are designed to celebrate and honor those who have made significant contributions to a community or even an entire nation. Here's a lesson that asks scholars to consider who is represented...
National Woman's History Museum
Inventive Women - Part 2
The Declaration of Independence was published in 1776. The Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions, modeled after the Declaration of Independence, was drafted and read by Elizabeth Cady Stanton at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848....