Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It Wasn't a Bullet

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars explore U.S. history by researching disease in class. In this Civil War injury lesson, students identify the different causes of death most soldiers faced while fighting in the war. Young scholars role-play and write a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning to Analyze Political Cartoons with Lincoln as a Case Study

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the attributes of political cartoons. For this American Civil War lesson, 8th graders analyze a cartoon titled " The Good Uncle and the Naughty Boy." Students then create their own political cartoons about aspects...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bridges for All Lesson 1: Fighting Chance (1850-1877)

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers study how a Quaker woman, Laura Smith Haviland, served as a lifeline for fugitive and freedmen during the American Civil War era. They research other philanthropic organizations and the associate vocabulary of this era.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Follow the Drinking Gourd: Creative Writing

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners conduct Internet research to identify the conflicts and positions of slaves, slaveholders, and members of the Underground Railroad network in the time preceding the Civil War. Students write an essay about their findings written...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

618,000: Shall Not Have Died in Vain

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Learners explore the American Civil War. In this Civil War lesson, students examine a slave auction advertisement and an Abraham Lincoln quote. Learners also read Pink and Say, create a foldable regarding naval warfare, and design a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Twain: Icon and Iconoclast

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students examine work by Mark Twain in the context of pre- and post-Civil War America. In this cross curricular lesson plan, students gather biographical information about Twain, use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast him with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bake, Boil, or Fry

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars write a journal entry about where there food comes from. In this Civil War lesson, students discuss journals, the crops grown within the U.S., the import/export process and what food preparation must have been like on a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Battle of Stones River

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students will read the story "Battle of Stones River" and define a set of vocabulary words. In this Civil War lesson, students complete a fill-in-the-blank vocabulary activity after reading the story and defining the words.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Was It Difficult To "reconstruct the South"?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine problems faced by the states of the Confederacy following the Civil war. They predict how Lincoln wanted to handle the problem of reconstruction by listening to his words. They describe conditions in the South...
Lesson Plan
National First Ladies' Library

Riding the Underground Railroad

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Young historians explore the underground railroad and life as a slave during the Civil War. After internet research, they discuss the hazards of travel as a slave and the benefits of freedom. Individually, students write a short story...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Solid South Switcharoo

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine primary sources. In this lesson on political parties, students view historic documents, speeches, and photos to trace the rise and fall of particular political parties. Students will be looking at the success of each...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Longfellow Amongst His Contemporaries: the Ship of State Dbq

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students evaluate the ship of state metaphor in relation to the historical events in America from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War. They synthesize ideas presented in ten different primary source documents and compose an essay...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How the West was Won? Conflict and Change on the Western Frontier

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders assess the conflict and change that occurred in the westward expansion following the Civil War. They list specific reasons why different groups moved west and the interaction between the "white" European civilization and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil War Documents In Brooklyn

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Pupils investigate the use of monuments and why they are important for the study of history. They conduct research using a collection of primary sources. Students write a report about the information they find and present it to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil War Soldiers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the concept of having a draft for obtaining military forces. They conduct research in small groups using a variety of resources in order to answer key questions. The ideas of having a volunteer army instead is shared...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Look at Virginians During Reconstruction

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders examine slavery and Reconstruction in Virginia. In this Virginians during Reconstruction lesson, 4th graders research primary sources for the story of William Jasper and other slaves. Students hypothesize how rights became...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Emancipation Proclamation

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Learners analyze key components of a portrait and relate the elements to the historical context. In this lesson students evaluate the "Emancipation Proclamation" and it's significance.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Go Animate the 20th Century!

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Learners create animations to match their social studies. in this 20th century lesson, students work in groups to read and present to their classmates World War I, World War II, The Great Depression, The Space Race, or the Civil Rights...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Gulf War Syndrome a Significant Health Issue the U.S. Government has Tried to Cover Up?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the issues surrounding Gulf War Syndrome. In groups, they analyze evidence from the war and medical information. They participate in a debate in which they support their feelings on whether the government of the United...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Should US Officials & Health Professionals be Investigated for War Crimes?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore ethical issues. In this human rights activity, students read articles and documents related to torture used in government investigations and if medical ethical guidelines were adhered to. Students respond to discussion...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Eisenhower: The Contentious 1950s

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore 1950's America. In this American history lesson, students research the McCarthy hearings, Civil Rights, war fatigue, and economic issues of the decades. Students respond to discussion questions about topics.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building a Memorial to the Underground Railroad

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Underground Railroad lesson, students examine the attributes and function of the Underground Railroad in order to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abraham Lincoln, the 1860 Election, and the Future of the American Union and Slavery

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine Abraham Lincoln's political views about slavery. In this American Civil War instructional activity, students determine how Lincoln's beliefs led to the restriction of slavery in American territories. Student also analyze...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Music-Follow the Drinking Gourd

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study the song "Follow the Drinking Gourd." For this dance lesson, 4th graders listen to the book by the same name, listen to the music, and in small groups create a short dance illustrating a stanza from the song.

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