Curated OER
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Students examine federalism and judicial review. In this Supreme Court lesson, students examine primary documents from Marbury v. Madison and discuss the implications of the decision.
Curated OER
Westward Expansion
Learners explore the Westward Expansion Movement of U.S. history. For this Westward movement lesson, students use primary and secondary source documents research personal accounts of those who travelled west during the era....
Curated OER
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.
Curated OER
Trajan's Rome: The Man, The City, The Empire
Incorporate six lessons on Trajan and ancient Rome into a social studies unit on the Roman Empire. From Trajan's birth to his rise to greatness, the resource uses primary source documents and historical commentary to connect learners...
Curated OER
Omaha Race Riot of 1919
Students analyze primary documents and images. Students organize and evaluate the causes and results of the Omaha race riot of 1919. Students study and recognize key personalities involved. Students relate history to certain quotes...
Curated OER
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X: A Common Solution?: Lesson Plan
Students explore the ideological and political development of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X through primary source documents. They identify the various personal, social, and political factors that influenced Martin Luther King,...
Curated OER
Building A Portfolio
Students gather images that are part of portfolio to be shared throughout the course of one school year. They complete written reflections based upon the images that are attained. The primary sources for the images is using a digital...
Curated OER
Prisoners in Another War
High schoolers examine the role of the Geneva Convention. In this world history activity, students investigate primary sources that prompt them to consider the evolution of the Geneva Convention.
Curated OER
Trial at the Turn of the Century
Students examine and explore various aspects of change at the turn of the century including economic, political, civil and others. Students then locate and analyze various primary sources to write an essay that demonstrates their...
Curated OER
Too Large to be a Lunatic Asylum: South Carolina’s Mental Health
Eighth graders examine the history of South Carolina's mental institutions. In this South Carolina history lesson, 8th graders discover details about asylums built in the state in the 1800's. Students analyze primary sources about mental...
Curated OER
The New Republic
Students research the Federalists and Anti-federalists. In the lesson on state legislature, students use primary sources to create a brochure and write an essay that illustrates federalist and anti-federalists viewpoints.
Curated OER
George Washington's Foreign Policy
Young scholars compare George Washington's foreign policy to the policies of presidents who followed him. In this primary source analysis lesson, students compare Washington's Farewell Address to the Roosevelt Corollary, the Monroe...
Curated OER
How Has African American Culture Shaped the History of Kentucky?
Eleventh graders explore the African American culture and history of Kentucky. They observe how an author's personal bias can define the argument of his/her publication. Students analyze primary source documents.
Curated OER
The Rise and Fall of Joseph McCarthy
Students analyze documents, cartoons, speeches and articles about Joseph McCarthy and his crusade against "Un-American" activities. They guide their research with a worksheet and participate in class discussions about their findings.
National Endowment for the Humanities
Cultural Change
High schoolers research the passage of the 19th Amendment as an illustration of the mutual influence between political ideas and cultural attitudes. They also read the Seneca Falls Declaration and explore the cultural shifts it both...
Curated OER
Analyzing Primary and Secondary Sources to Assess the Decisions and Policies of Sitting Bull, Red Cloud, and the U.S. Government
Students examine U.S. policies regarding Native Americans. In this Native American history lesson, students analyze provided primary and secondary sources concerning Red Cloud, Sitting Bull, and the Dawes Act. Students use the provided...
Curated OER
Critique Sources
Students distinguish between primary and secondary sources. They study about fact, opinion, and recognize bias. Students find out if information is accurate or not and report on it. For the final project students create an annotated...
Smithsonian Institution
In His Own Words: George Washington Quotation Timeline
Students read and analyze a series of excerpts from George Washington's letters, journal, and speeches to match quotations to the event or date in his life. They identify the author or source of the historical document or narrative. They...
Smithsonian Institution
Of Human Bondage: George Washington and The Issue of Slavery
Learners read and interpret four documents George Washington wrote regarding his slaves. They analyze why George Washington was conflicted over the issue of slavery. They discuss the evolution of Washington's attitude toward slavery.
Smithsonian Institution
Looking at a National Treasure: George Washington
Students explain the definition of a portrait. They identify the visual clues that Gilbert Stuart included in his portrait of George Washington. They compare the reproduction to other images of Washington. They discuss the importance of...
Curated OER
Teaching With Documents: Order of Argument in the Case, Brown v. Board of Education
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Brown v. Board of Education lesson plan, students examine sources that require them to consider the impact of the case in order to participate...
Curated OER
Household Names
Students explore the accomplishments of famous New Yorkers in the 19th century. In small groups, students read biographies and match them with a corresponding primary source document. The group that is most accurate in matching the...
Curated OER
World War I: Overview of the Great War
Ninth graders read first hand accounts of soldiers' lives during World War I, examine historical timeline of major events during war, and research and listen to clips of popular music of the time.
Curated OER
Powerful Signatures
Students experience famous historical documents that were initiated and propelled by signatures such as Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution. They create a school amendment using the information gathered.