Curated OER
World War II: A United Front
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this World War II activity, students examine racial relations during the war and then examine propaganda techniques employed by the United...
Curated OER
Carter’s Approach to Facing the Energy Crisis
Students examine President Carter's stance on the energy crisis of the 1970s. In this energy crisis instructional activity, students analyze primary sources that feature the crisis during Carter's term. Students script and...
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American Soldiers’ Experiences During WWI
Students investigate the effects of war on soldiers. In this World War I lesson, students link to the provided Web link to locate primary sources about American soldiers during the war. Students write historical narratives based on their...
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Demosthenes Warns of Danger
In this ancient Greece worksheet, students read the primary source "Demosthenes Warns of Danger," and then respond to 6 short answer questions based on the provided source.
Curated OER
Mathew Brady: Civil War
Eighth graders interpret historical evidence presented in primary resources. In this Civil War activity, students analyze photographs taken by Mathew Brady.
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The Spanish Entrada
In this Arizona history worksheet, students read a 5 page selection that includes primary sources about time periods in the state's history. Students then respond to 5 short answer questions based on the selection.
Curated OER
Teaching With Documents Lesson Plan: "A Date Which Will Live in Infamy"
Your class examines F.D.R.'s speech for examples of repetition, alliteration, emotionally charged words, etc. They listen to the speech and interview a person who heard it delivered. They finish by writing an article about the experience.
Curated OER
Life During the Great Depression An Oral History Project
Although our connections to those who personally witnessed the Holocaust are dwindling, this lesson focuses on conducting an interview and getting some primary source material. There is a list of resources your high schoolers can...
Curated OER
With Malice toward None: Lincoln's Assassination
Young scholars analyze primary documents regarding Lincoln's assassination. In this lesson on Lincoln's assassination, students analyze three primary sources of information regarding President Lincoln's assassination.
Tennessee State Museum
An Emancipation Proclamation Map Lesson
Did the Emancipation Proclamation free all slaves during the Civil War? Why was it written, and what were its immediate and long-term effects? After reading primary source materials, constructing political maps representing information...
Historical Thinking Matters
Scopes Trial: 1 Day Lesson
Why did many Tennesseeans support the 1925 Butler Act, which forbade the teaching of evolution? Using several primary source documents and a brief video clip, your young historians will draw connections between the broader historical...
Huntington Library
Everyday Life - Exploring the California Missions
Young scholars relive history as they examine primary sources that document everyday life in the California missions. During a class viewing of the included slideshow presentation, children analyze documents, paintings, and...
Facing History and Ourselves
The Nazis in Power: Propaganda and Conformity
The Nazis used the power of propaganda to encourage confirmative views and the discrimination of Jews. A social studies resource illustrates these issues through discussion, image analysis, and a writing exercise.
Idaho State Department of Education
Lessons for Social Studies Educators
Point of view, purpose, and tone: three concepts readers of primary and secondary source materials must take into account when examining documents. Class members view a PowerPoint presentation and use the SOAPS strategy to identify an...
Curated OER
Understanding Primary Sources
Students draw conclusions from primary sources and share information and interpretations with a small group. They are introduced to the Jigsaw technique. Students discuss why a grocery receipt would be a primary source. They...
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Introduction of Primary Sources
First graders create two personal artifacts to add to a primary source shoebox that represents information about themselves. The first draw a self-portrait then build an artifact from Play-Doh and pipe cleaners to represent something...
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Conflict and Compromise
Students examine opinions about the Boston Tea Party. In this colonial America lesson plan, students analyze several primary sources about the Tea Party and then write essays that reveal efforts to compromise as well as efforts to...
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Fugitive Slaves and the Underground Railroad
Eleventh graders consider the impact of the Underground Railroad. In this slavery lesson, 11th graders examine primary documents as they conduct independent research to explore the role of the Underground Railroad during the fight for...
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Images of Woodland Indians
In this teaching American history worksheet, students examine a primary source documents that feature images of Woodland Indians. Students discuss their impressions of the images.
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What Do You See?
In this primary source analysis worksheet, learners examine the image of a lynching and discuss its significance. Students also respond to 3 short answer questions regarding the image.
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Secession Convention Analysis Sheet
In this primary source analysis worksheet, students complete a graphic organizer based on the Secession Convention. The primary source documents are not included.
Curated OER
Can History Be Rewritten?
Can history be rewritten? Or, more precisely, is history documented accurately? High school juniors and seniors compare primary source material with secondary sources. For example, they compare President Roosevelt's December 29, 1940...
Curated OER
Comparing Primary Sources from the Industrial Revolution
Tenth graders, in teams, analyze, evaluate and describe primary sources pertaining to industrialization at the turn of the century. They examine the sources and answer questions about each.
Curated OER
Using Primary Documents: The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake
Pupils examine primary documents from various key historical events, including those from the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. They discuss the importance of such documents.