US House of Representatives
Keeping the Faith: African Americans Return to Congress, 1929–1970
The third lesson plan in a unit that traces the history of African Americans serving in the US Congress examines the period from 1929 through 1970. After reading a contextual essay that details the few African Americans elected to...
Facing History and Ourselves
Stereotypes and “Single Stories”
Help bring subconscious stereotypes to the surface to stop it in its tracks. Pupils first read an excerpt describing the experience of prejudice and analyze how this process connects to World War II. Then, they write a creative story...
Curated OER
The History of Ethanol in America
Sixth graders explore and examine the production of biofuels from the 1850's to the present. Included in their research is Henry Ford, ethanol, World War I and prohibition. They explain the importance of grains and grasses for the...
Curated OER
J. Robert Oppenheimer
In this online interactive history quiz instructional activity, students respond to 50 multiple choice questions about J. Robert Oppenheimer. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
Curated OER
The Man Who Made the Normandy Invasion Possible, Andrew Higgins
Students examine the contribution of Andrew Higgins to WWII. They watch a video about Andrew Higgins and the Normandy invasion, answer questions about the video, and write an obituary for Andrew Higgins.
Curated OER
What is Communism?
Eleventh graders explore Communism. They explore Communism's roots in economics and discuss the spread of Communism in the Eastern Hemisphere. They evaluate a Communistic and a Capitalistic society. Students reflect upon the positives...
Curated OER
Triumphant Spirit
Students watch a video which allows them to listen to a woman tell her tale as a young girl in Germany. Upon viewing this video and completing the reading assignment, students write about a person with a triumphant spirit.
Curated OER
Treaty of Versailles
Students describe the purposes of the Treaty of Versailles. In groups, they analyze the causes and effects of the treaty and discuss why the Americans were so against it. They note ideas for and against its ratification and they make...
Curated OER
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel
Jamie Ford’s historical novel, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, explores the relationship between a young Chinese American boy and a Japanese American girl set against the backdrop of Seattle during World War II. The teaching...
Curated OER
Conducting Oral Histories
Students discuss and conduct oral histories, and prepare questions for interviewing special classroom guest.
Curated OER
History Repeats Itself
Twelfth graders research historical turning points, gather-data, and extrapolate possible alternate outcomes. They work individually to choose one historical event from Attachment D, Historical Turning Points. Students complete either...
Curated OER
New World, Old Evils: Latin America and the Holocaust
Learners examine how Latin America was affected by the Holocaust in Europe. In groups, they research topics related to Latin America and World War II. They interview survivors if possible and discover how entire nations were effected...
Curated OER
Bringing the Holocaust Unit to Closure: Implications For the Future
Students examine the relevance of the Holocaust to the present and future. They watch an excerpt from the movie, 'Schindler's List,' participate in a discussion of the movie excerpt, view and discuss a speech by Elie Wiesel, and write a...
Curated OER
Those Who Don't Know: Identity, Membership, and Stereotypes
Students explore their identities. In this social studies lesson, students examine stereotyping and discuss factors that define their personal identities. Students compare their stories to the story of Esperanza in the novel Esperanza...
Curated OER
Examining the Reasons for the Creation of the State of Israel
Students explore the connection between World War II and Jewish immigration to Israel after the War. In this World History lesson, students discuss the details of what it might have been like to live through the Holocaust. ...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Military Advisers in Vietnam: 1963
How did the beginning of the Vietnam War factor into the Cold War with the Soviet Union? As part of a study of American involvement in Vietnam, class members read a letter address to President Kennedy and his response in which...
Harry S. Truman Library & Museum
Marshall Plan: Convince the American People
This is an excellent resource for US history classes, especially AP history. After learning some background on the Marshall Plan, the class, divided into two groups, researches opposing positions on this aid program. Groups read and...
Echoes & Reflections
Jewish Resistance
Resistance to the Holocaust took on many forms. Learners explore the passive and active resistance of Jewish people who continued their practices and observances, as well as organized resistance against the evils of the Nazis. An...
Echoes & Reflections
The Ghettos
Young historians examine primary sources, including diaries, poems, and photographs, to consider the conditions in the ghettos and how they fit into the escalation of the Third Reich's plot against the Jewish people.
Curated OER
Fireside Chats of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Students view a film about Franklin D. Roosevelt and his fireside chats. THey identify political inferences in his speeches and how the media played an important role in the war. They answer questions to complete the lesson.
Curated OER
Truman's Foreign Policy Decisions
Students examine foreign policy decisions of former President Truman which still affect us today, review factors to be considered in making foreign policy decisions, closely explore specific major foreign policy decisions, and share...
Curated OER
Debating the Bomb
Young scholars research the repercussions of the development of the atomic bomb. In this history lesson, students read, reflect and discuss nuclear warfare and how it affected the population when it was introduced, as well as how...
PBS
Women's History: Clara Barton
Students investigate Clara Barton's contributions to society. In this Clara Barton lesson plan, students watch videos, listen to lectures, and conduct research regarding Clara Barton's life and her possible authorship of a Civil War...
Curated OER
A Brief History of Vietnam (1858-2004) and Its Evolving Communist System
Pupils examine the French colonization of Vietnam, the Vietnam War, and the current evolving Communist system. They develop political maps, outline the major events of the Vietnam War, write an essay, and compare/contrast democracy with...