Curated OER
Looking at the Revolution From Two Perspectives
Eighth graders examine the events that led up to the colonial separation from Britain. They read sources and discuss perspectives finally writing a letter that demonstrates the issues of loyalty v. separationism.
Curated OER
Language Arts: Novel Guides
Students discuss the Revolution and consider the causes of the war, the attitudes of the colonists, and the position of the British. Then students explore American involvement in wars since the country's inception.
Curated OER
George Washington: Our First President
Young scholars explore the life of George Washington. In this George Washington lesson plan, students consider the leadership qualities of the first president as they listen to a description of his life and the create responsibility...
Curated OER
Mapping the New World Lesson Plan
Students compare two maps of the same area from different time periods. In this American History lesson, students look at two maps of the English colonies from 1636 and 1651. They discuss why the maps changed and predict maps from the...
Curated OER
Jamestown Colonies and the Powhatan Indians
Eighth graders discuss the Jamestown colony and the Powhatan Indians. In this colonial history lesson, 8th graders talk about conflicts between the Native Americans and the colonists. They read a biography about Pocahontas to help them...
Curated OER
British Colonization-Settling the Thirteen Colonies (1607-1733)
Learners study the thirteen colonies: geography, economics, politics, and religious groups. They explore early colonial life, and create a travel brochure, travel guide of the 13 Colonies, and word search.
Curated OER
Colonial Research Fun
Middle schoolers review the characteristics of the thirteen colonies. In groups, they use the internet to research one of the colonies more in depth and answer questions about it. They develop a newspaper or travel brochure to share the...
Curated OER
Jamestown Journey Part 1
Fourth graders work to solve one of the major problems facing the Jamestown settlers, the best location to settle upon arrival in Jamestown. Students discuss and review the past European and American events that lead to the...
Curated OER
Puritans vs. Seperatist
Eighth graders create a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the Puritans and Separatists. They about The Mayflower Compact and write a short summary about the document. After creating a foldable, 8th graders list ways the native...
Curated OER
Corn in Ancient America
Students explore the importance of corn to the survival of early civilizations of the Americas. Through research and discussion activities, they read and describe how corn was used as food and currency in early civilizations. They...
Curated OER
Thanksgiving: Multiple Perspectives
Students examine different perspectives about Thanksgiving that include those of the European Settlers and the Native Americans. They read and discuss an article about Plymouth being "America's Hometown." They develop a landmark for...
Curated OER
American History Lesson Plans
It's always a good time for students to go over lesson plans that talk about America's birth.
Curated OER
World Literature-Teaching Asian, African & Latin American Authors
World Literature lesson plans for high school students can lead to a greater cultural awareness and appreciation of literature.
Curated OER
Know Your 13 Colonies
Seventh graders study the thirteen colonies. In this American History lesson, 7th graders analyze the historical origins and economic development of each colony. Students create an original flag for a colony that reflects the...
Curated OER
Jamestown Scavenger Hunt
Students identify and share Primary Sources in Early American History by Janey Levy. Then they discuss the usefulness of using primary sources in uncovering the past. Students also research original documents from Jamestown to complete...
Curated OER
Plimoth Plantation Field Trip
Take a virtual field trip to the Plymouth plantation. Using the site linked in the lesson, discover how people lived during the 17th century in this part of the country. Discuss the role of the pilgrims and native Americans in the...
National First Ladies' Library
Slavery in the Beginning: Creating a Virtual Museum
Social studies learners explore slavery in the American colonies from 1607 to the Revolutionary War. In groups, they explore a PBS website and a virtual museum. Using these websites and other online resources, learners create their own...
Curated OER
Three Young Pilgrims
Fifth graders study the story of the voyage of the Mayflower told from the view point of the three Allerton siblings who were on board the ship. The book tells of their voyage across the Atlantic and their first year here on the North...
Curated OER
The Early American Contradiction
Students use the Constitution and Declaration of Independence to investigate the apparent contradictions between slavery and freedom. The activity looks at the reasons for the incorporation of slavery into early colonial life even with...
Curated OER
Writing Exercises: English Settlements in North America
A great writing exercise should have it all. This one requires learners to think critically about cause and effect, compare and contrast, and summarizing. They compose responses to five short answer questions regarding Spanish and...
Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media
George Washington: General, President, Slave Owner
Times change; behaviors that were once considered acceptable can be seen in a very different light. Middle schoolers revisit the legacy of George Washington in a three-day lesson plan that uses primary sources to reveal Washington as a...
DocsTeach
Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation
While most Americans connect the celebration of Thanksgiving to a colonial celebration of pilgrims and Native Americans, the national holiday was actually the product of a war-time measure by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War....
Smithsonian Institution
Lexington and Concord: Historical Interpretation
Learners view and analyze three different images related to the Battle of Lexington and Concord. They also answer a variety of questions in a graphic organizer to help keep the information straight.
Constitutional Rights Foundation
How the First State Constitutions Helped Build the U.S. Constitution
Did you know that the United States Constitution was adopted after many state constitutions were already in place? Young scholars examine facts about the influence of states through an informative and interesting resource. Groups then...