Curated OER
Reforms of the Mid-1800's
Seventh graders complete a unit of lessons on the reform movements of the mid-1800's in the U.S. They participate in an Internet scavenger hunt, analyze primary source documents, and develop and perform a simulation of a mid-19th century...
NPR
Progressive Era Lesson Plan
The women working for equal rights in the early 20th century weren't a part of one large group; rather, they were members of dozens of small groups focused on social reform. Explore the ways groups in the Progressive Era like National...
Curated OER
Renaissance and Reformation Chapter Test
This is a traditional textbook chapter test on the Renaissance and Reformation, complete with eight multiple choice questions, six fill-in-the-blank, and a 10-question matching section identifying key individuals and terms from the...
Curated OER
Examining Slave Auction Documents
Students compare the social and cultural characteristics of the North, the South, and the West during the antebellum period, including the lives of African Americans and social reform movements such as abolition and women’s rights.
City University of New York
African Americans and the Populist Movement
Why did the Populist Party fail to ally itself with African American farmers? To answer this essential question, class members investigate the Populist Era (188-1900) and read an article written by Tom Watson, a Populist leader.
Curated OER
"Pitchfork" Ben Tillman and Political Reform in South Carolina
Eleventh graders examine the political reform movement in South Carolina spearheaded by "Pitchfork" Ben Tillman. In this South Carolina history lesson plan, 11th graders examine primary and secondary sources regarding Tillman and his...
Albert Shanker Institute
The March on Washington Logistics Then and Now
I have a dream ... that all pupils will be able to organize a march of their own after learning about how Bayard Rustin organized the 1963 March on Washington for civil rights. Young reformers work collaboratively examining informational...
Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project
Dr. Martin Luther King's Visit to Seattle
How was the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. viewed by others during the 1960s? After watching an oral history video, your class members will learn more about Dr. King's ability to personally connect with others, as well as discover...
Curated OER
Reformation Lesson: Worship and Belief
Students explore the characteristics of different religions and religious beliefs. In this World History lesson, students research the history of the Reformed, Catholics and Lutherans, then complete several activities to reinforce their...
Curated OER
Civil Rights Movement
Middle schoolers identify and acquire an understanding of what the Civil Rights Movement consisted of, the issues that sparked the Movement, the people who participated and the events that occurred during the Movement. They also identify...
Curated OER
America's Civil Rights Movement
Eleventh graders explore, analyze and study the background to America's Civil Rights Movement through the court system, mass protest, public opinion, political cartoons and legislation. They research Rosa Parks, Brown vs. Board of...
Curated OER
The Birth Control Movement
Students examine the resistance to the birth control movement. They compare and contrast the reasons for and against birth control and examine the social agendas of the supporters of birth control.
Curated OER
Gender-based Temperance Reform
Eleventh graders investigate the Temperance Reform Movement. In this primary source analysis lesson, 11th graders use the provided analysis sheet to analyze the contents of the article "Advice to Young Women and Young Men," published in...
City University of New York
Urban Politics: Machines and Reformers
What were political machines and whom did they serve? As part of a study of US immigration patterns and how these patterns influenced politics, groups investigate how Tammany Hall and other political machines gained support from voters.
Curated OER
Reform Movements
Students research the reform movements in connection to the suffering of women, African American rights, temperance and prohibition, education reform, etc... They brainstorm in groups in order to come up a historical analysis of the...
Curated OER
Women's Rights and Reform
Students evaluate primary source documents. They assess the development of women's rights in the United States. They identify other rights beside suffrage that were important to famous women reformers.
Curated OER
Social Security
Students investigate the inception of Social Security benefits provided by the Government. In this Social Security instructional activity, students debate whether or not people should be entitled to receive money from the government....
Curated OER
Progressive Movement
Sixth graders define what progressivism is and find events of the Progressive Movement. In this Progressive Movement lesson plan, 6th graders create their choice of a poster, flyer or brochure to invite others into the progressive...
Library of Congress
Marco Paul's Travels on the Erie Canal: An Educational Voyage
Following the book, Marco Paul's Travels on the Erie Canal, readers complete an activity for each chapter, take part in discussions, and respond to several questions. To show what they know, scholars create an alphabet book using primary...
Curated OER
Social Movements of the 20th Century
Sixth graders study the social movements of the 20th century. For this social movements lesson, 6th graders discuss social unrest, review social and political movements of the 20th century, and discuss the main movements for unrest....
Curated OER
Give Peace A Chance: Nonviolence as a valid strategy for social change
Students analyze how people solve conflicts. In this conflict resolution instructional activity, students look at Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King's nonviolence movements. They see the reasoning behind nonviolence and how it works.
Curated OER
Reformation and Civil Wars of Religion in 16th Century France
Students discover details about the Reformation. In this French history lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation about the religious wars that took place in the country and within Europe. Students take notes on the presentation...
Curated OER
Prisons and Their Functions
Students explore the history of prisons. They examine how Reformers and Progressives influenced the functions of today's prisons. Students analyze whether or not the function of prisons has changed over time.
City University of New York
Women's Suffrage and World War I
Democracy cannot exist where not everyone has equal rights. Discuss the state of democracy and women's suffrage during World War I with class discussions, debates, and primary source analysis, in order for class members to connect with...