Lesson Plan
Curated OER

New Threats from Overseas

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore the trade of goods overseas.  In this history lesson, 8th graders establish the principles behind overseas trading by listening to lecture from the teacher. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Abraham Lincoln's Presidency: Trials and Triumphs

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders access the TDC database and view the Brady photos, which depict Abraham Lincoln throughout various times in history. They analyze the photos and discuss the reasons for the changes in President Lincoln's appearance over time.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

FDR Fireside Chat

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the purpose of Franklin D. Roosevelt's chats.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders collaborate with their group members on becoming an expert on a specific chat. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Maya Lin - Artist, Architect, Environmentalist

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders explore the life of Maya Lin and analyze the impact of her architectural philosophy on her work. They trace the history of the Vietnam Memorial from its conception by Maya Lin, to the present day. A time line is created of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modern-Day America: Ronald Reagan Presidency to 9/11

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine contemporary America. In this contemporary American history lesson, students watch a DVD titled "Modern-Day America," discuss the events depicted in the video, and create memorials for those who perished in the 9/11...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Introduction to the Cold War

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students explore the correlation between the Cold War and the Domino Theory.  In this history lesson, students watch a short video that exhibits the domino effect, then divide into small groups, each representing an assigned...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Preservation of Civil War Battlefields

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders examine the importance of battlefield preservation.  In this US History instructional activity, 8th graders participate in a virtual tour of battle sites.  Students create a map of Gettysburg to see the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Experiencing the Civil War

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders examine the Civil War.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders investigate the causes, effects, and the lives of people during the Civil War.  Students develop a research paper using various...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Is Democracy?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore the concept of democracy. They define and describe democracy and choose an issue they believe the government should care about for its people. They write a persuasive essay about their issue.
Unit Plan
ConnectED

Crime Scene Investigation

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
How exactly does a crime scene investigation work? The resource, a unit on criminology, covers everything from the deductive reasoning skills needed for detectives to DNA fingerprinting, all the way to how to gather evidence and bring...
Unit Plan
Penguin Books

An Educator's Guide to Al Capone Does My Shirts

For Teachers 4th - 6th Standards
It's hard to imagine that life on Alcatraz could be dull. A series of intriguing lessons take readers through the novel Al Capone Does my Shirts. Pre-reading questions introduce the text and a range of suggestions, from comic strips to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

North Korea and Nuclear Weapons Development

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars analyze North Korea's history and their nuclear weapons development. They view a Power Point and work in groups to prepare official United Nations resolutions. After presenting and voting upon the final resolutions, they...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Imposing Democracy

For Teachers 12th
Twelfth graders discuss the probability of imposing a democracy in a country in which there is no history of this type of government being successful. Using the internet, they work together to research Japan's experience with democracy...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Crisis in Darfur

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students examine the history and current humanitarian crisis occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan. In small groups, they conduct Internet research, answer discussion questions, and present their findings to the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

In Mr. Lincoln's Shoes

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students demonstrate basic map skills. In this US history lesson, students review cardinal directions and use a compass rose while at the same time discuss what life was like for Abraham Lincoln.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rock n' Rollin in the '50s

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the culture of the United States in the 1950's.  In this history lesson, students research culture in the 1950's, with a focus on fashion, music, television, automobiles, etc., then work in groups to create a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Three Centuries of Child Labor In America

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the history of child labor that is found in America. They use a variety of resources to conduct research. Students create cause and effect arguments using the information that is found. They also compare and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Jamestown Scavenger Hunt

For Teachers 4th - 6th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Ku Klux Klan In Indiana: 1920-1930

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the role of the Ku Klux Klan in Indiana from 1920-1930. They read an informational handout, define key vocabulary terms, conduct an interview with a parent or grandparent, write a family history, and role-play a scenario.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Recycling In Japan

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students participate in a lesson that is focused on the concept of recycling. They conduct research to find out about the history of recycling and how it is done in the present day.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Give Me Liberty

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Young scholars define the term "liberty." They explore the concept of liberty in our nation's history and how it is reflected throughout our rich culture. Students connect the office of the presidency to our nations' development and its...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Road Map for the Roman Empire, Ca. 250 CE

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students consider how empires are created and sustained, examine Peutinger Table as a whole and in detail as tool of empire for Rome, c. 250 CE, create ancient time-distance travel chart that synthesizes series of strip maps, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Integration of Education

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the history of Civil Rights and how the struggle for Civil Rights and the Second Reconstruction, transformed society and politics in the United States in the 1950s. Then they identify why American Schools are integrated...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"A Costly Prosperity", South Carolina during World War II

For Teachers 11th
Eleventh graders study the history of South Carolina during World War II.  In this American History lesson, 11th graders analyze the economic growth of this state through primary sources.  Students interpret many different...