Lesson Plan
Center for History Education

U.S. Foreign Policy and the Iran-Contra Affair: Was Oliver North a Patriot, a Pawn, or an Outlaw?

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
If you had to write a song about Oliver North, would it be a ballad or a dirge? If you had to put him on a trading card, would he be a hero or the bad guy? Young historians decide for themselves after examining documents from the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

All Aboard

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Explore the U.S.S. Nevada. Researchers use primary sources, secondary sources, children's books and websites to study the naval ship. Their study commences with a class alphabet book on the ship. Intended to be part of a lesson on...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Multiple Perspectives on the Korean War

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students interpret historical evidence presented in primary and secondary resources. In this Korean War lesson, students examine and analyze primary sources regarding U.S. involvement in the Korean War.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

North Korea and the United States

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students analyze U.S. policy toward North Korea. In this foreign policy lesson, students conduct research on the relationship between the United States and North Korea. Students prepare for a classroom debate to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

History of Political Parties in the U. S.

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders name some of the parties in the political system of the United States. They identify the two main parties along with key information, issues, events, elections and/or people for each system. They then break into groups...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How Congress Works

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students describe role of the U.S. Congress in American government as set forth in the Constitution, and explain why the Framers created a Congress with a House and a Senate and gave them different roles.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Woodlawn Plantation-History of Virginia

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders tour Woodlawn plantation and apply their previous knowledge of the colonial era in order to compare and contrast the roles of farmers (past and present) in Virginia.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Lesson: Immigration

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Many of your class members will have heard of Executive Order 9066 and the Japanese internment camps of World War II. Some may even recognize the terms “Issei” and “Nisei,” but few will have heard of Enemy Alien Hearing Boards, of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Civil War: Generals at the Battle of Stones River

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners explore U.S. history by creating a computer presentation in class. In this Civil War battle lesson, students read assigned text about the Battle of Stones River and research individual generals from the battles. Learners utilize...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Arkansas History Lesson Plan: Identifying Arkansas on a Map

For Teachers K
Students investigate their hometown of Arkansas.  In this U.S. Geography lesson, students identify Arkansas on a map and distinguish it form the other states.  Students investigate the history, state line, and personal...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

An Introduction to the National Archives

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study the national archives through both images AND visiting the site. This is meant to provide them with an understanding of what documents are important to the U.S. and why (i.e. Declaration of Independence, etc...).
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Embodied Presidency Wilson

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students take a closer look at U.S. intervention in Mexico. In this 20th century history lesson, students examine primary documents to consider why the United States entered the Mexican War and then write DBQ essays on the topic.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Egyptian Fairy Tale

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners explore ancient Egyptian culture and government. In this social studies lesson plan, students compare the legal system from ancient Egypt to our current American legal system. Links are included for web searching Egypt and the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

About Life: The Photographs of Dorothea Lange Going to the Promised Land

For Teachers 8th - 12th Standards
To better understand the migrant experience during the Great Depression, pupils analyze two primary resources: photographs by Dorothea Lange and a U.S. Map that shows the Dust Bowl. They compare and contrast Lange's images to Steinbeck's...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Important Arkansas People

For Teachers K
Famous people in the history of Arkansas are the focus of a history lesson for kindergartners. Pupils identify important Arkansas citizens, such as President Bill Clinton. They create an illustrated poem that features some of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rationalizing Race in US History

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students consider the classification of people. In this race studies instructional activity, students examine the concept of race as it relates to U.S. history and trends. Students research racial discrimination and prejudice in order to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dark Days on the Prairie

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars explore U.S. geography by researching agriculture. In this dust bowl lesson, students complete a cause and effect worksheet based upon the dust bowls that covered a large portion of Oklahoma and Texas in the early 1900's....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Native American History

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine how Chief Joseph attempted to challenge stereotypes about Native Americans. In this Native American history lesson, students read "An Indian's Views of Indian Affairs," and then paraphrase the selection. Young...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

U.S. History: What Happened Here?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students apply the global positioning system to create maps of local historical sites. By collaborating with local historical groups, they research events and relate them to broader, national history. In addition to writing essays...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Immigration: Marijana's Story

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders explore world geography by researching U.S. history. In this immigration lesson, 2nd graders read the book Marijana's Story and discuss the main character, her goals, and the plot. Students complete a worksheet about U.S....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Golden Spike

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate modern transportation in the 19th century by examining artifacts.  In this U.S. history lesson, students read the story Joseph's Railroad Dreams, and discuss the Golden Spike used in the first transcontinental...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Moving Objects

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discover the history of the United States by examining the Great Migration.  In this U.S. History lesson plan, students research the immigration movement on the Internet and complete a worksheet about the large population...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Colonial America

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Young scholars discover the history of Colonial America by creating a class presentation.  In this U.S. History lesson, students utilize the Internet to research one of 20 topics in which they will create a PowerPoint or other type...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Celebrate Texas!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore social studies by completing a U.S. history research project. In this Texas instructional activity, students utilize almanacs, encyclopedias and the Internet to research the history of Texas and create a presentation...

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