Curated OER
History/Mystery: Regionalism and Ethnicity in the American Detective Novel
Students use mystery novels to focus on the history and ethnicity of different regions of the United States. As a class, they are introduced to the elements of a mystery and compare them to the other types of novels they have read. In...
Curated OER
Colonial Maps
Students discover the history of America by identifying the traditional colonies. In this U.S. history lesson, students examine a world map and identify where the voyagers left from Europe to arrive at the United States. ...
Curated OER
What is Brazil's history?
Students research Brazil's history and note the changes that take place over time in Brazil's history. They analyze reasons for changes in Brazil's history and compare and contrast Brazil's history with that of the United States in...
Curated OER
Betrayal of Penn's Promise - The Walking Purchase
Pupils role-play the 1737 Walking Purchase. In this Pennsylvania history instructional activity, students role-play the 1737 Walking Purchase and analyze its effects. Pupils also consider how it would affect their community today.
Curated OER
Keeping The Peace: The Role Of The United Nations Peacekeeping Force
Students explore the role of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. Students discuss the creation and purpose of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces. They research where troops have served. In groups, students explore one current...
Curated OER
Native Americans
Students determine how Native Americans were stripped of their cultures. In this Native American history instructional activity, students analyze several photographs of Native Americans and respond to questions about the photographs....
Curated OER
The American Revolution
Students study the American Revolution using Google Earth and United Streaming online resources. In this American Revolution lesson, students complete a KWL chart with information they know about the American Revolution. Students then...
Curated OER
The Vernor's Lesson
Young scholars review list of statements pertaining to United States History, and determine whether statements happened during the Civil War, after the Civil War, or had no connection to War. Students then speculate about connection...
Curated OER
Confederation Comparison
Students compare/contrast through primary sources the Articles of Confederation in the United States to the Confederation Period in Canada. They summarize the successes and failures of each. In essence, they analyze the impact of...
Curated OER
Yours and My Trail of Tears
Students investigate the Trail of Tears. In this United States history lesson, students identify the reason for removing the Cherokee Nation and role play a modern day situation similar to the Indian Removal Act. Students reflect their...
Curated OER
End of the Line: What Happened to the Blue Ridge Railroad?
Sixth graders study the westward expansion and the role of railroad construction to the expansion. In this railroad history lesson, 6th graders complete KWL activity for the topic. Students view a PowerPoint about the growth of railroads...
Curated OER
Encounters – Native Americans and Euro Americans (1850-1870)
Students consider the plight of Native Americans. In this Oregon history lesson, students research Internet and print sources regarding land conflicts between the whites and Native Americans. Students discuss resettlement and...
Curated OER
The Ancient Cliff Dwellers of Mesa Verde
Students research evidence discovered during Mesa Verde archaeological dig, view images of ancient artifacts, simultate real dig and reconstruct items buried on school grounds, and create newsletter or video tape skit.
Judicial Branch of California
A New Constitution….Your Turn!
It's the 1700s, and while returning home from the Constitutional Convention, pupils are propelled to 2777. The United States— emerging from a period of unrest and war—needs help developing a new constitution! Using the material from the...
Curated OER
The Embodied Presidency Wilson
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.
Scholastic
The Rise of Railroads: Illinois
Railways not only cross the US, but they are also intertwined with the history of America. Using a timeline format, individuals explore the connections between major events in American history—such as the Civil War—and the rise of the...
Curated OER
The Tet Offensive and the Vietnam War
Learners discover how the United States became involved in the Vietnam War, the importance of the Tet Offensive in turning American public opinion against the war, and how the Vietnam War is still a part of American life and culture.
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 instructional activity that is intended to build content-specific...
Curated OER
Do We Still Need the Electoral College?
One of the most confusing aspects of any presidential election year is the role of the Electoral College. Learners read a bit about how the Electoral College works and then they hold a mock election in their classroom. They'll redraw a...
Curated OER
Flood Control: Environmental History
Students examine the painting, Spring on the Missouri. They role-play and discuss floods and flood control from the views of an environmental lobbyist and a farmer.
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum
Harry S. Truman And Korea
Engage the class in researching oral histories and historical revision, in order to gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the sacrifices made by Americans in the Korean War. The inquiry process is scheduled to take one week....
Curated OER
Egyptian Fairy Tale
Students 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...
Curated OER
ONE VOTE
In order to understand the political process and the importance of voting, pupils will construct a class time line. They will group up and research a specific era, creating a time line of political events where one vote made a...
Curated OER
Immigration and Ellis Island
Fourth graders explore family histories. In this social studies lesson, 4th graders identify the countries from which their ancestors came and locate them on a map. Students discuss the role that Ellis Island played in immigration in the...