Curated OER
Life on the Trails
Fourth graders explore U.S. Geography by completing a worksheet. For this west coast geography lesson, 4th graders discuss the Santa Fe and Oregon-California trails and the people who traveled them in the 1800's. Students define...
Curated OER
Post Civil War Reconstruction
Young scholars analyze the process of Reconstruction after the Civil War. In this U.S. History lesson plan, students discuss specific details about Reconstruction with the class, then complete a worksheet with multiple activities...
Curated OER
To Be Or Not To Be a State? That Is the Question
Eighth graders research Puerto Rico's culture, religion, language, government, etc. and identify differences and similarities with the United States. They participate in a debate about whether or not Puerto Rico should become a state.
Curated OER
We the People. . .
Students explore the United States Constitution. In this government lesson, students write newspaper editorials that reflect their opinions about Amendments.
Curated OER
The Kansas State Capitol
Second graders research the Kansas state capitol building. In this historical landmark lesson, 2nd graders explore the Kansas state capitol. Over three days students explore the Governor's office, Senate and House of Representatives, and...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Project Terrorism
If you're looking for possible topics related to terrorism, or a list of online sources of information, you may want to take a look at this resource. However, it is too under-developed to be useful without additional work. The...
American English
Create Your Own Sporting Event
Combine vocabulary development and a study of verb tenses with a general introduction to sports. Class members get acquainted with the language associated with sports, and then complete a project to design and describe their own...
Curated OER
Childhood Lost: Child Labor in the United States, 1830-1930
Working in groups, middle and high schoolers describe and discuss photographs depicting working conditions experienced by child laborers in the 19th century. They then write a persuasive paragraph supporting an amendment to regulate the...
Curated OER
Japan
First graders investigate the similarities and differences between Japan and the United States. They develop a KWL chart, locate Japan and the U.S. on a globe, conduct Internet research on life in Japan, conduct an interview, and create...
Curated OER
The Beginnings of Constitutional Government
Students examine excerpts of Thomas Paine's Common Sense. In this early American history lesson, students read Paine's pamphlet and analyze the information according the rubric provided.
Curated OER
Paint the States - 50 & D.C.
Students select and research a state as an individual project and present their findings to the class. Then, they write a one page paper and create a collage or painting of their state on a mural. Finally, students create and illustrate...
Curated OER
Veterans of Past American Wars Project
Students interview United States war veterans to gain an understanding of the impact that war has had on the society, economy, family, individual and other aspects of life in American History.
California Historical Society
Understanding California
Here is a beautiful handout through which learners can explore the history of California, from the earliest Europeans to visit the Golden State up through its experiences during the Great Depression and position in the modern...
TCI
By George!
What better way to learn about George Washington and other United States presidents than with a fun board game? Learners review the accomplishments of Washington's administration through a collaborative board game, as well as draw...
NPR
The History of America’s Weed Laws
To understand the laws regarding marijuana use in the United States, you can go all the way back to the 1800's to learn about farming hemp, or you can go back to 2018 when California became the sixth state to legalize recreational...
Curated OER
It's Your Right: A Civil Rights Brochure
Learners examine the US Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Supreme Court cases in order to broaden their understanding of the US Judicial System. They research a variety of textual and Internet resources to create a tri-fold brochure,...
Center for History Education
To What Extent Were Women's Contributions to World War II Industries Valued?
Women rose to the challenge when the nation's war effort called them—but were sent home when the GIs came back from World War II. Young historians consider whether the United States valued women's contributions during the war using a...
National Endowment for the Humanities
A Wrinkle in Time: The Board Game
Tackle some big questions about A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle with a board game project. As learners brainstorm for and complete their board games, they consider what helps and hinders Meg on her journey and why she succeeds in...
Curated OER
First Things First: Using the Newspaper to Teach the Freedoms of the First Amendment
Young scholars use the newspaper as a tool to make connections about what the five freedoms guarantee in the First Amendment. In this first amendment lesson plan, students analyze events in the newspaper to form conclusions about the...
Curated OER
Train Of States
Fourth graders create a class book with information about each of the United States. After students draw a state name out of a hat, they use various resources to fill in a facts chart about their state. Students draw the state flag and...
Curated OER
Research a State in the United States
Students research one state of the United States of their choice. Using the internet, they gather as much information about the state as possible along with appropriate images. They present their findings to the class in the form of a...
Curated OER
American Focus on World Constitutions
Upper graders read several passages to gain an understanding of the nations that have adopted a constitution similar to the United States Constitution. This is a scripted lesson that is intended to build content-specific vocabulary and...
Curated OER
The War of 1812
A good addition to a unit on the War of 1812, this slideshow details causes, specific battles, political contexts, and several campaigns of the war. Maps and pictures with broad topics allow teachers to bring their own discussion topics...
Curated OER
Growing Minds: My Plate
Examine food choices and the nutritional properties of food groups with this visually appealing whole-class lesson plan. This will take a bit of preparation, but once you do it, you can use the materials for years. Using a food groups...