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Lesson Plan
Alabama Department of Archives and History

La Mobile: A Case Study of Exploration and Settlement

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
The Le Moyne brothers, Jean-Baptiste and Pierre, were among the first explorers of the Gulf Coast. Class members read biographical information and journal entries about these men, study maps showing where the settlements they established...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jamestown in Context: The Colonization of North America

For Teachers 8th - 11th
Students analyze the significance of Jamestown in the broader picture of colonization and analyze a historical document to determine the effects of previous explorations on the expectations of the Jamestown colonizers
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Understanding the Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students work in groups to do a document analyxix of several documents. Students view the Martin Luther King speech, "I Have a Dream." They discuss the Battle of Saratoge. Students give a personal view of the reason the Declaration of...
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Lesson Plan
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Channel Islands Film

Once Upon a Time (Sa Hi Pa Ca): Lesson Plan 3

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
What was the most significant tool used by the Chumash? How did the environment make the tool possible? What group behaviors allowed the Chumash be be successful for thousands of years? After watching West of the West's documentary Once...
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Handout
Plimoth Plantation

History In A New Light: Illuminating the Archaeology of Historic Patuxet and Plymouth

For Students 4th - 12th Standards
Sixty-seven pages take scholars on a digital tour through the exhibit, History in a New Light: Illuminating the Archaeology of Historic Patuxet and Plymouth. Crystal clear pictures accompanied by text offer a deep understanding of the...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 6th - 8th Standards
Scholars work in pairs to decide whether leaders wrote the Declaration of Independence for the rich and powerful or for every man. To draw their conclusion, pairs read excerpts from two historians and complete a graphic organizer...
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Interactive
DocsTeach

To Sign or Not to Sign

For Teachers 6th - 8th
To sign or not to sign, that is the question. Scholars review the Declaration of Independence and discuss the Framers' decisions for signing the document. The activity uses primary text, a worksheet, and group discussion to help...
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Lesson Plan
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Memorial Hall Museum

Dedham Deed

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Class members examine primary source documents that expose the contrasting views of land ownership between the Pocumtuck and English settlers.
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Lesson Plan
Scholastic

The First Thanksgiving Feast

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd Standards
Following an online activity, scholars listen to a read-aloud of If You Were at the First Thanksgiving by Anne Kamma. Pupils discuss their family traditions and complete a T-chart comparing the holiday then and now. Collages are made to...
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Lesson Plan
National Woman's History Museum

Pocahontas: The Truth vs. The Legend

For Teachers 6th - 9th Standards
Young historians study primary and secondary source materials to try and separate the true story of Pocahontas from the myths, fictional tales, and conflicting accounts of her life.
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Lesson Plan
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Facing History and Ourselves

Insights on Democracy from South Africa

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
As part of their study of democracy, high schoolers listen to a podcast featuring two South African educators and their efforts to support the process of transforming the nation from apartheid rule into a democracy. Learners also read...
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Lesson Plan
National Endowment for the Humanities

Mexican Culture and History through Its National Holidays

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young historians have an opportunity to study the complex history and culture of Mexico by learning about several holidays: The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe), The Day of the Dead (El Dia de los...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Revolt in Boston

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders study the American Revolution. In this American History lesson, 11th graders analyze primary sources. Students participate in a simulation on taxes. 
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Family Life

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Young scholars investigate the lives of families in two different centuries. They compare the 1600's to the 1800's. Students write an essay about the differences and how they developed in history. Special attention is paid to the...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The History of Thanksgiving Day

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders study the history of Thanksgiving. In this holiday lesson plan, 3rd graders read about the history of Thanksgiving, complete vocabulary activities, and write a journal entry from the point of view of someone who lived...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Declaration of Independence

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explain the meaning of the Declaration of Independence. They view a political cartoon of the period, then do a writing assignment for homework. They write about how they would feel if the British were calling them traitors.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The First Thanksgiving

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the first Thanksgiving through the use of literature. Students discuss the pilgrims and where they came from as well as how the Native Americans helped the Pilgrims. Students create Pilgrim hats.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

On the Mayflower Lesson Plan

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students build a model of the Mayflower inside of the classroom in order to learn about the voyage of the Mayflower and the hardships faced by its passengers. In this American history instructional activity, students work in small groups...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Differing Views of the Great Awakening

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students explore the Great Awakening by reading articles and write summaries of them, and then evaluating the perspectives.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

No Taxation Without Representation

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify the three functions of government and describe their importance in the success of government. They describe the necessity of representation in the political process. Students simulate the characteristics of British rule...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Proclamation of 1763

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners consider the impact of the Proclamation of 1763. In this colonial America lesson, students determine the how the proclamation affected the British Crown, the colonists, and the Indians and present their findings to the class.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native People of the Caribbean

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders use a map and locate and define the Caribbean region and then work in groups to read the passage and timeline. The groups' reader will read the passage aloud and the recorder makes a list of why colonists used slave...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. History Timeline

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders complete a timeline activity in which they outline the events from explorations to the early Colonial era. In groups, they discover an overview of the events that lead up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. ...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Development of Democracy

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the road to the American Revolution. In this Boston Massacre lesson, 8th graders investigate the testimony of Captain Thomas Preston. Students write their own verdicts based on his testimony.