Facing History and Ourselves
Emmett Till: Choosing to Remember
Mamie Till, the mother of Emmett Till and civil rights activist, believed that her son's murder was the last straw before public outrage over racial injustice spilled over into the Civil Rights Movement of the 20th century. A history...
Curated OER
Lesson PlanThomas Jefferson's Library: Making the Case for a National Library
Students explore techniques of persuasive writing. In this persuasive writing lesson plan, students examine primary sources regarding the sale of Thomas Jefferson private library to Congress. Students write their own persuasive letters...
Curated OER
Bill of Rights: Rights and Responsibilities
Students explore the meaning of freedom. In this U.S. History lesson plan, students research the Declaration of Independence and how it relates to American freedom by completing activities and a mock trial.
Curated OER
Teach Inventions with PowerPoint
Students research famous inventors and what they invented. In this technology lesson, students gather facts about a specific invention and create a PowerPoint slideshow about it. Students practice adding in animation and color to the...
Stanford University
Reconstruction Structured Academic Controversy (SAC)
Young scholars debate whether African Americans were free during Reconstruction. In this debate instructional activity, students use primary documents to support their argument as to whether African American were free during the...
Stanford University
Scopes Trial
Students review information about religious movements in the United States. In this Butler Act activity, students view a video and read in their textbook about the Butler Act. Students review documents about the Scopes trial and...
Curated OER
A System of Rules
Students write letters, create models, create a photo display, and make charts about the rules that a state has. In this rules lesson plan, students learn about and make different displays of how states come up with rules, change them,...
Curated OER
Hitler's Fatal Gamble
Students consider the differences between totalitarianism and democracy. In this comparative politics lesson, students will read a handout describing the major components that comprise totalitarianism and democracy, then they will...
Curated OER
The Holocaust
Tenth graders reflect on the effects of the Holocaust and the events leading up to World War II. In this World History lesson, 10th graders complete several activities, including a WebQuest, that analyze the Holocaust and its...
Curated OER
The 7 "Hats" of the President
Students explore the responsibilities of the President. In this U.S. government lesson, students examine the provided sources related to the President' s roles as Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Jurist, Chief Diplomat, Chief...
Curated OER
The Right Choice
High schoolers examine the leadership role of George Washington in the American Revolution. In this George Washington lesson, students read selections titled "Generalship," and "Candidate for Commander-in-Chief." After high schoolers...
Curated OER
It's Off to Work We Go
Young scholars reenact what finding a job was like in the 1900's and model their actions after Milton Hershey. In this history lesson plan, students create business cards, and conduct mock interviews for jobs that would have been...
Curated OER
Milton Hershey Scavenger Hunt
Students participate in a scavenger hunt. In this Milton Hershey lesson, students prepare for a trip to the Hershey Museum in Pennsylvania by completing a scavenger hunt. Students draw conclusions on their findings.
Curated OER
Milton Hershey and the Qualities of a Hero
Students create a classroom mural that features heroes. In this Milton Hershey instructional activity, students discuss the qualities Hershey had that made him a hero. Students then identify other heroes and design a classroom mural of...
Curated OER
Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence
Students examine readings and symbols to learn about the War of Independence and Thomas Jefferson. In this War of Independence instructional activity, students explore the role of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration for Independence....
Curated OER
Why a Mock Trial?
Students participate in a mock trial. They discover how U.S. courts resolve conflicts.
Curated OER
A Leader of Salem: Nathaniel Bowditch
Eleventh graders examine the qualities of a leader. For this American History lesson, 11th graders read the story of Nathaniel Bowditch and use it as a catalyst for discussions on leadership and the definition of a hero.
Curated OER
How Current Events Affect Us
Elementary and middle schoolers research a current event using various resources. They participate in a class discussion to evaluate the information they gathered on a particular event. Additionally, they discuss the concepts of common...
Curated OER
Telling Our Own Stories
Explore online profiles and social media with your middle and high school classes. Use blogs to inspire your class to craft a well-written, thoughtful response to a prompt you give. A few example prompts are given.
Curated OER
Voting Isn't Enough
Students compare and contrast their perceptions of politicians and leaders, analyze the consequences of negative public perceptions of politicians, and develop solutions to the problems caused by negative attitudes toward politics.
Curated OER
Communities in Crisis Lesson 1: Primary Source? What is That?
Distinguish between primary and secondary source documents using the theme of philanthropy. Middle schoolers discuss Anne Frank: The Diary of Young Girl as a way to study the past using a primary source. Then they investigate how to...
Curated OER
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
High schoolers examine the philanthropic acts of Jane Addams. They identify a current problem in their community and develop ways to help. They also examine the work done in the Hull House in Chicago.
Wild BC
Connecting Ecosystems & Climate
Collaborators sort a set of cards into biotic and abiotic categories. Then, as a class, they discuss their work and relate each of the abiotic components to climate change. Finally, they form a web of components by connecting those that...
Curated OER
Save Our Past -- Act It Out
Fourth graders identify and examine the importance of civic responsibility and the result of losing many archeological sites in Texas. In groups, they are given scenerio cards and act out each scene for the class. They also write a...