National First Ladies' Library
The First Great Awakening
Connecting social studies and American literature, students study the Great Awakening and draw comparisons between its impact on England and on parts of Colonial America. They research the lives and experiences of people who lived during...
Curated OER
The British Attack on the Capital
In this reading comprehension worksheet, students read a historical passage about the British American war. Students then answer 10 true/false questions based on their reading.
Curated OER
1765 to the Declaration of Independence
Students research philanthropists of the American Revolution. In this philanthropy lesson, students watch the video Johnny Tremain and analyze the characters and determine their motives. Students read the Declaration of Independence...
National Endowment for the Humanities
Magna Carta: Cornerstone of the U.S. Constitution
High schoolers use the Internet to read a brief description of Magna Carta (link provided). They "walk through" the document with the teacher, identifying four major themes. Students read and discuss "The Rhetoric of Rights: Americans...
Curated OER
Artists in Colonial America
High schoolers visit the Memorial Art Gallery's exhibit, "About Face: Copley's Portrait of a Colonial Silversmith." They complete a worksheet based on the career of John SIngleton Copley as a colonial American artist. They experience the...
Curated OER
What can money tell us?
Students study the physical presence, imagery and written text on a reproduction of colonial currency. They apply their research to a modern day quarter to compare and contrast two coins. In addition, they design their own colonial...
Curated OER
How Did British Imperialism and Colonization Impact India?
How did British imperialism and colonization impact India? Uncover how India was considered to be Britain's most valuable colony, how Europe's Industrial Revolution affected India, and the beginnings of the East India Company. A short,...
Curated OER
You're Invited...To A Tea Party
Kids read the book Boston Tea Party by Steven Kroll and use maps to locate various landmarks. They identify the cause and effect of the events related to the Boston Tea Party, then write a descriptive composition.
Curated OER
The War for Independence: 4th Grade
Here is a great interactive idea that may need a little refining. Students play 3 rounds, where they answer questions explaining how different countries have gained independence throughout history. While this resource has music and...
Curated OER
Social Studies 7th Grade: American Revolution
A basic overview of the events leading up to the Declaration of Independence, this presentation provides learners with key terms and facts about life in the thirteen original colonies. The final slide includes an assignment for students...
Curated OER
Primary Sources: Diaz and Cortes
Provided are two descriptions, both from famous Spanish explorers. Pupils read each passage and then answer 2 inference questions based on how they think each description shows what Cortes and Diaz felt about the Aztecs. Show images of...
Curated OER
Our Political Beginnings: Ch 1
Quiz your middle schoolers on the political beginnings of American government. They will answer 5 matching and 5 multiple choice questions. Great as a quiz, homework, or comprehension questions.
Curated OER
The Townshend Acts of 1767
Students examine the events leading up to and after the Townshend Acts in Boston. In this American History lesson, students engage in a class discussion and write an essay about the failure of the British Stamp Act and the Colonial...
Curated OER
Introduction to the Maya Civilization
Pupils investigate the Maya civilization. In this Maya civilization lesson, students view a PowerPoint presentation and record notes. Pupils explore several important landmarks, such as the "Magician's Palace" at Uxmal.
EngageNY
Synthesizing Information: Writing an Apprentice Wanted Ad
Fourth graders view examples of help-wanted ads as they plan and create their own writing in the fourteenth instructional activity of this unit on colonial trade. The engagement of the class is captured when the teacher shares an actual...
Curated OER
Empire to Independence
Here is a wonderful presentation, perfect for setting the stage for the Revolutionary War. Containing great information and images, it acts as a timeline of events starting with the French Indian War and ending with the dawn of the...
Curated OER
Pioneering Principles: Why Character Matters
What does it mean to "be of good character"? What are the qualities that define such a person? The 1825 Colonization Law of Coahuila y Texas required that all new immigrants into Mexican Texas present documentation that they were of...
College Board
2014 AP® Human Geography Free-Response Questions
How is the sale and marketing of coffee indicative of globalism? Learners clarify complicated dynamics using practice prompts from the College Board Exam. Other practice topics include colonialism in Africa and economic growth...
Curated OER
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Lesson Plan
Indigenous Land Guardianship, Settler Colonialism, Racial Capitalism. While the terms may be new to some, they feature in a lesson plan designed for Indigenous Peoples' Day. Young scholars investigate four concepts: Land...
New York State Education Department
Global History and Geography Examination: August 2011
The Mongols, Spanish, and Ottomans all rewrote history with their conquest and control of empires. Yet, each made its mark differently. Using a variety of secondary and primary sources, pupils consider the similarities and differences...
Mr. Nussbaum
American Revolution
An interactive practice challenges scholars to read an informational text and answer 10 questions. The topic of the passage is the American Revolution.
Curated OER
Pedro Menéndez de Avilés
Partners examine the family tree of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, a Spanish admiral and explorer who founded St. Augustine, Florida, and answer several questions about the text using a worksheet. After they've explored the family tree,...
Curated OER
Carta de Pedro Menéndez de Avilés
Spanish learners peek back into history by reading a copy of an original letter written in the sixteenth century by Pedro Menéndez de Avilés. To show their comprehension, they respond to a series of provided questions. For writing...
College Board
2018 AP® World History Free-Response Questions
How were the development of railroads critical to the rise of empires? Scholars delve into the relationship between the two using a documents-based question from College Board. Other prompts explore ideas such as nomadic and sedentary...